Welcome to Organic September
This month is Organic September, a campaign that raises awareness of the many benefits of organic farming and all it produces. This includes everything from fruit and veg to toiletries and clothing. Buying organic helps farms support our biodiversity and wildlife, fight climate change, improve animal welfare and reduce our exposure to pesticides.
Organic September was started by the Soil Association, the charity that advocates for organic farming as a way to care for the natural world. It sounds great, but what does it mean? We’ll attempt to answer some common questions about organic here.
What is organic?
How exactly does a food get classified as an organic product? Organic is defined as a system of farming and food production that aims to produce sufficient quantities of high-quality food. Organic farmers do this by working to a strict set of standards. They ensure that their methods maintain the health of the local ecosystems and people who live within them. The result is a system that benefits both plants and the wider planet.
According to the Soil Association, ‘It means higher levels of animal welfare, lower levels of pesticides, no manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilisers.’ Plus many more benefits for the natural environment that will make wildlife thrive.
Why is organic farming important?
1) It’s good for the environment – Organic produce is designed to respect nature by using no artificial fertilisers and pesticides. It also results in healthier soil by nourishing them with compost, nitrogen-fixing crops and crop rotations that are 25% more effective at storing carbon in the long-term.
2) It encourages greater biodiversity – Organic farming increases biodiversity in plants, animals, insects and microbes. An analysis of 66 scientific studies showed that organic farms have 30% more species on average than non-organic ones.
3) Organic farming produces fewer greenhouse gases – Studies have found that organic farms release significantly less greenhouse gas than their non-organic counterparts. One reason for this is that healthy soils are a major source of carbon storage. In fact, the Soil Association has estimated if all UK farming resorted to organic methods then at least 1.3 million tonnes of carbon would be captured by the soil each year. That’s like taking nearly 1 million cars off the road at once!
Ocado & organic
We wouldn’t shout so much about organic if we weren’t able to offer plenty of organic choice. The Soil Association has also confirmed that Ocado has more organic products than any other supermarket – that’s 3,000 and counting.
So if you’re thinking of making the switch in Organic September, then why not start with the basics? Everyday products like milk, vegetables, rice and more are all available from organic producers.
And we’ve conveniently grouped them all in our Organic aisle. The Soil Association stamp functions like our organic ‘seal of approval’, so make sure to look out for it as you shop.
Ocado organic top picks
Here’s a selection of our favourite organic produce. This includes deliciously sweet Ocado Organic Blueberries, wonderfully nutty Lye Cross Farm Organic Mature Cheddar, and fragrant Lavender and Geranium Hand and Body Lotion from Faith in Nature.
The day starts better with our organic blueberries to liven up your overnight oats or breakfast pancakes. Come to think of it, the day finishes off better too with blueberry puffs or another blueberry dessert (check out our blueberry recipes).
Lye Cross Farm Organic Mature Cheddar
Made in the heart of the West Country for more than 25 years. Devoured with relish (or chutney) around the world ever since. Lye Cross Farm organic cheddar has been matured in solar-cooled maturation space. How mature.
It’s time to make this key kitchen staple organic: the humble can of chopped tomatoes. Packed within a few hours of harvest, so bursting with freshness and flavour you’d expect from tomatoes grown under the hot Italian sun.
Grumpy Mule Organic Sumatra Ground Coffee
Made by the KBQB Co-operative in the highlands of Takengon in Northern Sumatra with 7,824 smallholder members. It takes a co-op to make this smooth full-bodied earthy coffee with a chocolatey-finish.
Russell’s Organic Salmon Fillets
Naturally reared in pristine Irish waters, you could say this tender flaky salmon is a good way to get your omega-3 fatty acids. Or you could just say it’s delicious.
Light, fruity and not too dry, this prosecco is made from traditional giera grapes grown in vineyards teeming with wildlife. You enjoy the fruity notes while the butterflies enjoy the vineyards. Top tip: prosecco is often drunk from wine glasses in Italy, so it’s easier to enjoy the wine’s aromas.
Meridian Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter
When your toast needs peanut butter, make it an organic one. We’ve chosen crunchy, but Meridian also makes smooth PB and a number of other nut butters. And this peanut butter contains no palm oil.
Faith in Nature Lavender & Geranium Hand and Body Lotion
Made with naturally-derived, cruelty-free ingredients, this body lotion contains lavender – the essential oil found in lavender – that naturally relaxes the senses. Apply and feel ready to take on the world.
Shop our full range of Organic here