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The Soil Association’s Emma Heesom talks to the Ecologist about what this year’s Organic September campaign is all about and how everyone can make a small change and a big difference…
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There are lots of different reasons why people choose to buy Organic produce – from reduced chemicals and pesticides to concerns about animal welfare – but there are also lots of reasons and misconceptions that stop people from buying organic too.
It is for this reason that this year’s annual month-long focus on organic is a little bit of a break. The Small Changes, Big Difference campaign is asking people to make a small change to their shopping habits by switching one household item to organic, to create a big difference to our planet.
For example, if just 12 families with an average bread consumption made the small change to swap their bread to organic, an area of land quarter of the size of the Wembley Stadium football pitch would become a pesticide-free haven for wildlife.
What this campaign shows is how a small change will also make a big difference to the lives of farm animals. No other system of farming has higher animal welfare standards. Organic is free-range and encourages the animals’ natural behavior.
If twenty families switched to organic milk, another cow will be free to range on clover rich organic pastures; if two families switched to organic bacon, one more pig will keep its curly tail and stay with its mother for much longer; and if one family switched to organic eggs, a hen would have access to grassland and not be at risk of painful beak trimming.
Certified Organic products are inspected so that you know what you’re getting (and not getting) in your food and drink. If 10,000 people switched to an organic breakfast for just one month, an extra 40,000 organic eggs could be produced.
Of course we buy food primarily for fuel, and hopefully to enjoy the taste and flavour but when choosing organic consumers also know they are protecting and investing in our planet and supporting animal welfare. This campaign shows how simple it is for one individual to have an impact.
It’s not just food for thought though. Last weekend (7th 8th September) saw the first ever Organic Beauty weekend. Promoted via social media and supported by national brands such as Neal’s Yard and Pai Skincare the weekend offered opportunities up and down the country for consumers to get hands on with organic beauty and know what to look for.
Continue reading at ENN affiliate, The Ecologist.
Organic image via Shutterstock.
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