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Five Reasons to Go Organic - Jun 22, 05:58 pm

Here at Frantoio, we put a lot of love in our food. We buy fresh wholesome organic ingredients from local farmers because we believe in nourishing our guests as much as possible with our flavorful dishes. Any self-respecting Italian momma wouldn’t even hear of feeding her children store-bought tomato sauce or any other kind of processed food, and you would never find any fine dining restaurant in the entire country of Italy serving hormone-treated meat. Italians put a lot of value in the quality of their food, and, as an authentic Italian restaurant, we feel that it’s only right to do the same.

However, that’s not the only reason we use organic ingredients. Eating organic food is good for you and the environment in so many different ways. If you’re looking for reasons to go organic, we have five for you.

Organic food is tastier

Numerous studies have shown that people usually perceive organic food to be healthier and tastier than non-organic food. It does make sense, because organic products usually come from high-quality soils and the flavor isn’t compromised by pesticides, drugs, or hormones.

Organic products contain more nutrients

On average, organic products contain 25% more vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and micronutrients than non-organic products. If you want more in-depth information on the studies conducted to confirm this, read this article: New Evidence Settles a Lingering Question – Is Organic Food More Nutritious?

Organic meat and dairy products are free of antibiotics, drugs, and growth hormones

Did you know that hormone-treated meat is so dangerous that it’s not allowed in the entire continent of Europe? In 1989, the European Economic Community (EEC) placed a ban on U.S. meat products, and it’s still in effect to this day. U.S. farmers inject their cattle with hormones so they can grow faster and be sold for more money. The scary thing is that when we eat meat and dairy products that come from hormone-treated animals, we ingest the hormones ourselves. Effects can include early puberty in girls, a higher risk for breast cancer, and a higher risk for prostate cancer. Organic farmers wouldn’t even hear of exposing their livestock to antibiotics, drugs, and growth hormones, so their meat and dairy products are considerably safer to ingest.

Organic fruits and vegetables are free of pesticides

Industrial farmers spray their fruits and vegetables with pesticides, a chemical used to repel or destroy pests. While pesticides may seem like a great solution for keeping pests away from our food, it can be dangerous if ingested by humans. Pesticides are known to block nutrients for children who are still growing, cause birth defects, and reduce body coordination in the long run. The problem is, non-organic fruits and vegetables are covered in that stuff. Washing your food before cooking or eating it may help remove some of the pesticide residue, but there’s always some left for you to ingest. Organic farmers stay away from pesticides, and instead use old-school techniques, such as crop rotation, companion planting, and composting.

By going organic, you’re helping the environment

Organic farms use far less energy than industrial farms do, and they nourish the earth, water, and local wildlife with their old-school farming techniques. Because organic farmers treat their animals humanely and allow them to roam the land, they encourage a healthy eco-system, which in turn reduces pollution and protects the water and soil. Industrial farms cover the land in chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers, which destroy the soil and eventually make the land unfit for farming. By going organic, you’re helping support smaller farms, better treatment for animals, and the environment.