How authentic is your organic food?

The Organic Farmers’ Co-operative Market, a collective of sellers, is ensuring that what they stock is truly free of harmful chemicals.

In a quest to live a healthy life, people are increasingly opting for organic food. A lot has been written about the dangers of pesticides and other chemicals in food that can cause serious health hazards. This has led people to take cognizance of the benefits of going organic. 

The city has seen a splurge of organic stores and portals promising to sell hundred per cent organic food. The question is how does the customer know if what they are consuming is genuinely organic. Though there are certifications in place, most of the first time buyers tend not get into the details. 

“I often buy groceries from an organic store. Chemicals and additives can be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and going organic seems to be the only sensible way out,” says R Radha, a homemaker. Ask her if she knows where the food comes from, she says, “My neighbour suggested that we should move to organic way of life and I judge products based on their looks.” 

Parthasarthy VM, an IT professional, who left his wellpaying corporate job to do farming and now runs an organic store, TRE Organic Farmers Market in Chetpet, says that people should look for transparency. He is now part of a collective, the Organic Farmers’ Cooperative Market, which consists of 18 people who buy the produce directly from farmers practicing organic farming and sell it in the stores. 

“When I started out with farming, not many locals were convinced with the idea but eventually the change happened and now there is more awareness among people,” he says.  

Parthasarthy and his team ensure that their customers get genuine produce. “We closely work with all the farmers. Once a month, all of us go on a surprise visit. We end up spending the day at these farms, studying and analysing their methods and techniques, to ensure that no chemicals are involved. Also, when we decide to work with a new farmer, it has to be on a reference basis. 

There are farmers practicing the organic way for decades, they know better about what’s happening in the village. Only after their approval do we zero in on a new farmer,” he says. 

He and his team claim that customers can easily track where the produce comes from. “We have a database of all the farmers. If a customer wishes, we can give them the contact details of the farmer. Also we have an active Facebook page where we post details about the farmers,” says Parthasarthy. 

However, health experts say that there is more to it. Dr Kousalya Nathan, a nutrition expert, says, “We have to understand that we have been using pesticides for decades and it is deep-seated in our ecology. 

Even if one farmer goes completely organic, there might be an indirect contamination from the wind and water. To be hundred per cent organic, complete area has to be organic,” she says. “The best way to ensure healthy produce is to grow your veggies in your terrace or kitchen garden.”

Keep veggies and fruits chemical-free 

Soak the vegetables and fruits for half an hour in water mixed with ½ tsp sea salt, ½ tsp turmeric and neem leaves, wash and consume.