Organics is one of Australia’s top five growth industries
The organic market in Australia was worth an estimated $1.27 billion in 2012. The average growth rate is predicted to be 10 – 15% over coming years. Australian Organic Market Report.

Australia has the largest surface area of certified organic land in the world
The organic industry in Australia is continuing to mature, with the average size of organic farms increasing. This growth is necessary to meet increasing consumer demand. In many cases it highlights the expansion of long-term organic farming families purchasing additional land to meet demand. However there is still great diversity in the organic industry, with over 50% of certified organic growers classified as smaller scale production farms. Australian Organic Market Report.

Two in three Australians buy organic
Over 1 million Australians regularly purchase organic food, and 65% of consumers have bought organic food in the last 12 months. Women remain the primary purchasers of organic food. Organic fresh produce is the first entry point for most consumers and represents the most regularly purchased and biggest spend in the organic shopping basket. 47% of current organic consumers buy fresh fruit and vegetables at least every month. Australian Organic Market Report.

85% of organic consumers agree it tastes better
Organic consumers value the qualities that organic food has over conventional produce. Most consumers rate the chemical free and additive free attributes, as well as enhanced nutrition and taste as the most important benefits of organics to them. 89% of consumers interviewed placed either moderate or high importance on the fact that organic food is chemical free while 88% valued the additive free aspects of organic food. That organic food is more nutritious and tastes better was important to 88% and 85% of consumers respectively. For 80% of consumers, knowing where their food was grown was important to them. Approximately 5% of organic shopping is done either online or via direct methods such as home delivery. Australian Organic Market Report.

Organic fruit and vegetables are better for you; on average they’re 25% more nutritious
Dr Charles Benbrook at Washington State University examined all peer-review studies published since 1980, comparing the nutrient levels in organic and conventional foods. Across 97 published studies he found 236 scientifically valid ‘matched pairs’ of organic and conventional foods. Across these pairs they were able to compare the levels of 11 nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, minerals potassium and phosphorous, and protein. In 61% of matched pairs the organic sample was superior. In a quarter of the cases where the organic sample was superior, the higher level of nutrients exceeded the level in the conventional sample by at least 31%. Across all 236 matched pairs, and 11 nutrients, the nutritional premium of organic food averaged 25%. The differences documented in the study are sufficiently consistent and sizeable to justify the answer ‘Yes, organic plant-based foods are, on average, more nutritious.’ Benbrook et al 2008.

Organic fruit and vegetables contain 30% more antioxidants
Organic farming systems increase antioxidant concentrations in fruits and vegetables by, on average, about 30% compared to food grown on otherwise similar conventional farms. When plants are under stress from pests, they produce a diverse array of natural chemicals, called secondary plant metabolites (SPMs), many of which are antioxidants. SPMs are responsible for giving fruit and vegetables their bright colouring and distinctive flavours. Plants on organic farms typically have to deal with higher levels of pests than plants on nearby conventional farms, where pesticides are routinely applied. For this reason, plants on organic farms more fully engage their innate defence mechanisms, and in the course of doing so produce more antioxidants. A second explanation arises from the fact antioxidant levels tend to be higher in organic fruit and vegetables because plants on organic farms tend to grow slower and mature at a smaller size than fast growing, heavily fertilized conventional produce. This explanation has its roots in the ‘dilution effect’ – the tendency for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to be reduced, or diluted, in large, fast grown and high yielding crops (Dr Charles Benbrook, 2005)

Bees love it
Organic farms are havens for wildlife and provide homes for bees, birds and butterflies – overall plant, insect and bird life is 50% more abundant on organic farms, and there are 30% more species
Organic farming actually depends on encouraging a diverse eco-system to maintain soil fertility and keep pests under control naturally. A literature review of 66 published comparative studies concluded that on average, wildlife is 50% more abundant on organic farms, and there are 30% more species than on non-organic farms. Soil Association website.

Healthy soil, healthy environment
Organic farming reduces environmental pollution and the release of greenhouse grasses from food production by prohibiting the use of nitrogen fertilisers. Instead, organic farmers rely on developing a healthy fertile soil, growing a mixture of crops and using clover to build fertility in the soil. Department of Climate Change, BFA.com.au, Soil Association website

Certified organic food is food you can trust
In Australia consumers can be sure they’re purchasing organic produce by checking for the words ‘certified organic’ or ‘certified biodynamic’ and a logo from one of seven certification bodies recognised by the Commonwealth Government. The two most common certification bodies are Australian Organic (the bud logo) and NASAA Certified Organic (the NASAA label with two leaves). These seven certifying bodies assess farmers, processors and retailers to ensure they are producing and selling food that meet the Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products. Independent auditors also conduct rigorous audits and unannounced spot checks to ensure full compliance with the strict standards. Farmers can have their soil and produce scientifically examined to ensure no chemicals have been used in production, and processors and retailers must demonstrate a clearly auditable trail of all produce. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMO), or products derived from genetic modification are specifically prohibited. OFA.org.au

Keep your pesticides away from me
Over 320 pesticides are routinely used in non-organic (conventional) farming. Many of these pesticides remain in the food we eat, despite washing and cooking. Pesticides are found on one in three non-organic foods tested each year and multiple residues of up to seven different compounds are not uncommon. Soil Association website.
By contrast, certified organic growers are required to use a range of management practices, rather than substances, to alleviate pests. These include choosing appropriate species of plants for the climate, mechanical traps or physical barriers, mulching and mowing, light and sound devices and crop rotation. National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce 2008.

KATE KNOX, Owner, Keane’s Organic Food