At Flora Fine Foods, we’re committed to providing healthy and high-quality Italian products such as organic pasta, olive oil, and more. We’re a “get back to our roots” type of people, and organic foods exemplify just that.
The rising trend of cooking “organic” versus “conventional” has changed the appearance of your grocery store and revitalized the feel for communities to become more health conscious. Millennials have taken over the term “farm-to-table”, but what does that truly mean? How can cooking using organically farmed and produced ingredients benefit your family?
According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), United States residents spent over $50 billion on organic food in 2018. More and more Americans are concerned with the quality of their food intake and where it actually comes from. Even if you buy organic food, though, you may not know exactly what this classification means or why it’s important. Here’s everything you need to know about cooking and eating organic.
What does “organic” mean?
As you stroll through the aisles in the local grocery store, your mind is focused on “pasta, pasta, pasta.” Your shopping cart suddenly brakes in front of the pasta section and a slew of brands is presented, but beside the generics of the world you see organic pasta. “Should I see what all the hype is about? What does ‘organic’ mean?”
Without getting all science-y, in a nutshell, ‘organic’ refers to the way products are grown and processed. To be labeled as organic, a food must be grown and processed according to strict federal guidelines. Among many factors, these guidelines address the food’s:
- Soil quality.
- Animal raising practices.
- Pest and weed control practices.
- Use of additives.
This determines what chemicals these foods are exposed to, which can seep in and contaminate what we’re unknowingly allowing ourselves and our families let into their bodies.
When it comes to produce, the USDA asserts that fruits and vegetables can only be labeled as “organic” if they’re certified to have been grown in soil that’s had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before harvesting. Essentially our agricultural products should not be exposed to man-made pesticides and chemicals.
What about the organic pasta that isn’t necessarily considered produce? Multi-ingredient organic foods, including our organic pasta, have their own rigorous standards they must adhere to in order to don the “organic” label. These products cannot contain artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. We value purity and wellness. You’ll notice that the Flora organic olive oil bottle has the “USDA Organic” label, as well as our organic pasta and all other products. This label indicates that these products meet the USDA guidelines to constitute them as organic.
Why is organic better?
The debate rages on as to whether organic foods truly are better. While some Americans swear by the healthy effects of switching to an organic diet, some naysayers simply don’t see the point. We’ll let you make the decision.
In a study published by Environmental Health, it was noted that organic fruits and vegetables contained a “modestly higher content of phenolic compounds,” which are plant-based antioxidants essential for human health. The study also concluded that organic dairy products “have a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional products.” These fatty acids can help reduce the risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, and arthritis, among other diseases.
The ingestion of chemicals from pesticides is also linked to developmental diseases in children and some forms of cancer. Organic foods, such as organic pasta and olive oil, that are grown in pesticide-free environments may be more beneficial to your health than foods exposed to inorganic pest management practices.
The science and facts are there to back it up. Families whose regular meals are cooked at home instead of eating out would absolutely benefit from looking into the added nutrition from cooking organic.
The Flora Organic Product Line – Organic Pasta, Olive Oil, & More
Whether you’re already sold on buying organic food or you’re just starting to understand the potential benefits of going organic, you can count on the Flora Fine Foods organic product line. Our organic olive oil and organic pasta offers a rich and authentic taste while meeting the USDA’s strict standards for “organic” foods.
Not only will your family enjoy the taste of these Italian organic products, you can also feel confident that you’re serving the healthiest products made with organic ingredients to your loved ones. Click here to order your own organic pasta and oils and start whipping up meals your family will not only benefit from nutritiously but tastefully.
