In this fast-paced modern world, when it comes to your meals, it is often tempting to prioritise convenience over health. However, especially in these circumstances the vast importance of an organic and healthy lifestyle cannot be stressed enough. Due to this, and discussions about the use of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics in conventional agriculture, more and more people are making the shift to the healthier and sustainable organic food choices. But what exactly are the benefits that organic products offer? What is Organic Food? Let’s first start by explaining what organic actually stands for. The tag of “organic” refers to the way and techniques with which the farmers grow the products. As aforementioned, the use of artificial fertiliser, pesticides and the likes are prohibited. On top of this, further down in the chain of production, other potentially harmful additives, like artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, are not in use. Other key elements are the preservation of natural resources and the welfare of animals. These regulations lead to benefits for both you and the planet! Better Nutritional Value Organic food can often prove more nutritious than conventionally grown food. Studies have shown that vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels were increased in organically grown produce. For example organic tomatoes had higher Vitamin C and Phenolic compounds, which is an antioxidant that can protect your cells from harmful radicals. This increase in nutrients can partly be traced back to the soil. Organically treated soil is able to better maintain nutrients which then enhances the nutritional value of the crop grown on it. Contributions to Fight Climate Change Climate change is one of the, if not the biggest, issue we are facing and it’s no surprise that the agricultural sector is one of the main contributors in releasing greenhouse gases. With the use of Nitrous Oxide as a fertiliser for conventional farming and the deforestation for new farmland the agricultural industry accounts for nearly 30% of all yearly carbon emissions worldwide. Again organic farming can be a solution to the pressing issue. Organically treated soil can actually sequester carbon and store it in the ground and regain farmland once lost to erosion. Besides that, organic farming offers another advantage, it is more resilient to climate change. In this way organic fields yield more produce in extreme weather conditions like times of droughts or floods. Free of Hormones and Antibiotics In conventional farming, in order to maximise growth and to protect animals from diseases, hormones and antibiotics are used. These substances can have negative effects on human health. One prominent example is the development of antibiotics-resistant bacteria. In contrast, these tools are prohibited in organic agriculture. This means that organic dairy products are free from all these harmful substances. Reduced Exposure to Pesticides Pesticides are one of the biggest concerns when it comes to conventional farming. These pesticides are intended to kill pests and weeds, but they can also harm humans and the environment, especially if not properly disposed of. Pesticides can enter the food supply through residue on fruits and vegetables or through contaminated soil and water. The use of these synthetic pesticides are prohibited in organic farming, which helps to lower the risk of exposure to any kind of harmful chemical. The same issue can happen with fertiliser as well, leading to contaminated groundwater and damage to the environment. Improved Mental and Physical Health Lastly, let’s touch on the importance of a healthy diet. The food that you consume has a direct impact on both your mental and physical health. If you eat a diet with a lot of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, it can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and depression. In comparison, if you eat a diet that is rich in whole foods and nutrients it can improve energy levels, cognitive function, and overall mood. It can also help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. To conclude, choosing organic and healthy food options can have a significant impact on personal health and the environment. By choosing organic, we can support sustainable farming practices that are better for the planet and our health. By eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of whole foods and nutrients, we can improve our overall well-being and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. So next time you’re shopping for groceries, consider choosing organic and opting for healthier food options. Your body and the planet will thank you.
Eat Right Basket – Organic Farming and everything around it – A Journey
Dear readers, Welcome to our very own Eat Right Basket Blog. It does not matter if you are already part of the Eat Right Basket family or not, everyone is welcome here if they have good intentions and an open heart. Let us introduce ourselves first: This is the team behind Eat Right Basket which works 6-7 days a week to provide you with the most natural, organically grown food possible. Why this blog? At Eat Right Basket we know organic farming is needed to stop the pollution of our air, water and earth. Therefore, we believe everyone should be able to afford a healthy life with organic food, not just those who have the money to pay for it. Our main goal is to establish a market for organic food which is actually affordable. After all, changing from pesticide heavy industrial farming to organic farming is a big task. Not just for farmers but for the customers as well. How do you know that food labelled as organic really is organic? Is organic farming and natural food really safer than industrial produced food? Why is organic food more expensive than industrial food? These are questions we sometimes hear from interested citizens; therefore we have set up this blog to answer them. What else will you get to know? This information is very important, but we want to share much more with you. We want to introduce all the people who are involved in allowing you to receive our organic food right at your doorstep. Show you how our organic food is produced, transported, sorted etc. Explain why sometimes the weather or the traffic can foil all the careful plans we have made. Look at our responsibility towards the earth we are living on. How is climate change affecting India and the 300 million farmers and farm workers living in rural areas. And what does that mean for us as a social enterprise and you as a consumer? Why is farming in India the way it is, what policies are behind farming developments? Finally, we also want to share our Ideas and plans for the future. What is our Vision for the Eat Right Basked family and how can you get involved?! We are excited for your Feedback. If you have Questions about this blog, about Eat Right Basket in general or anything else concerning organic food, feel free to contact us. (Some Hindi Expression blessing people or similar) Eat Right Basket Team
My First Impression Entry!
Hi, my name is Julia and I am a volunteer coming from Hamburg, Germany. I have been working with Eat Right Basket for the last 8 months. During this time, I have learned many things, especially about the importance of good and healthy food. In Germany, the awareness of how important and healthy organic food is increasing more and more. Especially over the time of the pandemic, many people focused more on eating healthy and have shifted to buying organic products. Organic products can nowadays be found in nearly every store, but online shops for organic and healthy products are not yet established. Especially none that deliver fresh fruits and vegetables as well. That’s why I am so impressed by how Eat Right Basket is managing to offer affordable and healthy organic food in such a big area like Delhi-NCR. I got to experience the positive environment this company created with its employees and how valuable their products are for them. Eat Right Basket produces their vegetables, fruit, and grains in Uttar Pradesh on their own 20 acres and works with many other farmers to spread the knowledge and value of organic farming. Food is one of the most essential needs of the human body. Not only for survival but also for wellbeing. But nowadays the food becomes less and less valuable. Organic Farming is a way to Care, Feed and Eat Right. It is important for our health but even more for our nature. With all the chemicals that get through traditional farming into the ground, the earth around it gets poisoned, which has grave effects on the health of the people as well as our earth. Therefore, Eat Right Basket has stepped away from synthetic fertilizers and instead uses environmental-friendly fertilizers like cow dung. Another way Eat Right Basket uses to naturally enrichen the soil is vermicomposting. Whereby worms compost vegetables and food waste and create a natural fertilizer. Vermicomposting is a great way to recycle and reuse food scraps. In their shop and office in Noida, the many great products are stored and sold, as well as packed for home delivery. Every day new and fresh products arrive by train and are sorted carefully to ensure the highest quality for the customers. There are many natural Indian products, which I got to explore here. Especially in comparison to Germany, I admire the variety of fruits and vegetables Eat Right Basket and India, in general, have to offer. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to work with Eat Right Basket!