Natural and Sustainable

There is a lot of good news about the benefits of organic food, and exciting research underway around the world promises even more. Millions of people are looking for ways to improve their personal health and that if their families. Others are looking for ways to support a food system that is safe and will continue to sustain itself and provide for our needs.

Mission Organic 2010 aims to help us all achieve these goals through supporting organic agriculture and reaping the benefits. These guidelines that will begin posting on Natural and Sustainable and run until Sunday, March 9th, 2008 will give you the basics you need to begin incorporating organic food into your daily life. And when you go organic, you will be fulfilling the Mission Organic 2010 goal of a healthy and safe food for everyone.

What is Organic?

Organic crops are not treated with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Animals on organic farms are not given hormone and drugs to promote more rapid growth. Genetically modified organism (GMOs) are not used on any organic farms.

About Mission Organic 2010: Mission Organic 2010 is an ambitious campaign with an ambitious goal, and they are enlisting you to help to achieve that goal. They want 10% of every food dollar spent by the year 2010 to support organic food production. If consumers demand the organic supply, farmers and food companies will supply the organic demand in return. The result will be healthy, cost-effective organic food that supports a healthy, sustainable ecosystem. It’s really that simple.

Where we are organically:

Currently, organic food sales account for almost 3% of total sales. While sales have grown almost 20% annually in recent years, organic benefits are still reaching just a small slice of the population and a postage-stamp-size part o the nations agricultural land base.

Where we are going:

The Organic Trade Association projects that if current trends continue, organic food sales will approach about 5% of total food sales in 2010. Mission Organics’ goal is to double that market share to at least 10%. With your help, it will happen.

What this means for you:

The “go organic” means better health for you and your family. It also means that farm animals will be treated better and we will be protecting our earth for future generations. But how much of an impact can you personally make by purchasing organic food? If Mission Organic 2010 can help increase food sales to 10% by the year 2010, the increase will improve the health of millions of people, especially infants, children and the elderly.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Ditch the paper napkins. An elegant way to conserve, is to use cloth napkins. They not only look great but they also save both kinds of green. That’s money and trees. Wash them in cold water and line-dry for added bonus on saving money and the environment.