10 Reasons to GO
Organic in 2008

1. Taste
It's simple! We believe organic tastes better.

2. Quality: More Nutritious Food
Fresh organic produce contains on average 50% more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and 79 - 97% higher levels of anti-oxidants in organic tomatoes.

3. Sustainable agriculture
By choosing Fresh Local Certified Organic food you support environmentally responsible farming whilst also fostering a strong local community, and economy. Good news for everyone!

4. Costs you less in the long run
While organic foods are generally higher priced than conventional foods, the extra money spent can be viewed as an investment, not as an expenditure. This is especially true for children, for whom eating conventional foods that are high in refined starch, oil and sugar can lead to health risks later in life. For example, a 1998 study by the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation found that only 20% of children aged 6 to 12 ate enough fruits and vegetables (never mind organic fruits and vegetables). The study also found that only a quarter of kids this age ate high fiber grains and concluded that such children would be prime targets for diabetes and heart disease in later life. **Quote from Sustainability 101 Study

5. No Pesticides
The average conventionally grown apple has 20-72 chemicals on its skin, even after rinsing. Pesticide ingestion is linked with: cancers - reproductive (ovarian, breast, uterine, prostate), brain cancers, bone cancers, leukemia's (blood/immune system), genetic mutations, hormonal imbalance (estrogen mimickers), malformation of reproductive organs, immune suppression, ADD, learning disabilities, infertility, impaired development, toxicity to liver, kidney, brain, skin.

6. No Chemical Additives
Only 32 of the 290 food additives approved for use across the EU are permitted in organic food. (E.g. waxes, flavor enhancers, thickening agents, stabilizers, preservatives, emulsifiers).

7. No medications in your food:
antibiotics, growth hormone, anti-parasite medications
These drugs are passed directly onto the consumers of their dairy produce or meat, which some studies find to be a contributing factor to early puberty, growth in reproductive diseases, antibiotic resistance.

8. "Traceability"
Organic foods allow customers to feel safe when buying produce, meat and groceries. Knowing where your food comes from is important in this age of industrialized agriculture. Isn't it great to know where your food is coming from?

9. Health effects on Farmers and Laborers
Certified Organic means we choose to support fair working conditions and a healthier work environment for those people and farmers who work hard to provide the city with the fresh produce everyday.

10. Save the Environment -
Global Warming and Grocery Shopping
Make a "Cool" Consumer Choice Our planet is warming faster than at any time in the last 10,000 years. As a northern country, Canada will experience some of the greatest warming on Earth. This is caused by our use of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and gas, adding additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. - David Suzuki Foundation

- Only about 10% of the fossil fuel used in the world's food system is in production. The other 90% is used in shipping, packaging and "marketing." To help eliminate this excess, eat seasonally. Seasonal food is local food. This means it travels less distance to your table. The average item in a supermarket has traveled more than 1600 miles to your table. At HGOF, the average item travels less than 500 miles. This is an enormous reduction in fossil fuel use.

- Individuals driving to the grocery store spend an average of up to $4.00 on fuel, wear and tear on their car, etc. At Organics On Bloor we aim to reduce that impact by encouraging you to shop Locally at our store or let us deliver to you.