ORGANIC SEPTEMBER

A nationwide campaign is running this September to help British people celebrate everything organic.

It is being run by the Soil Association, and supporters are hosting events all over the country, from organic breakfasts at work and farm open days to organic cookery lessons in schools and organic fashion shows.

The key message is ‘Love Your Planet, Choose Organic’. Amidst growing concerns about climate change and food security, the Soil Association’s Organic event provides a chance to look at why organic production - fashion, beauty, food and farming - is better for you and better for the planet.

ORGANIC FOOD - reasons to eat organic:

• For health.  On average, organic fruit and vegetables contain higher levels of vitamin C, essential minerals and cancer fighting antioxidants.
• No nasty additives.  Amongst the many additives banned by the Soil Association are hydrogenated fat, aspartame (artificial sweetener) and monosodium glutamate.
• Avoids pesticides.  Over 300 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming. Pesticides are often present in non-organic food.
• Care for animals and wildlife.  No system of farming has higher levels of animal welfare standards than organic farms working to Soil Association standards. Organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprayers and produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas.
  

ORGANIC HEALTH AND BEAUTY - reasons to be an organic beauty:

• Safety.  If there is any doubt about an ingredient, it is banned - so no parabens, no phthalates and no GM ingredients.
• Avoids irritation.  Organic bans synthetic fragrances which have been found to cause on third of all cosmetic allergies and irritating foaming agents like sodium laureth sulphate.
• 'Cocktail effect'.  Organic means you cut down on the 'cocktail effect' of the chemicals in the different products that we use. Many women are using over 20 different products a day, bombarding themselves with hundreds of different chemicals.
• No need to compromise.  Delicious balms, gorgeous lotions and beautiful baby products are all available and perform so well that there is no need to compromise on performance to become an organic beauty.

ORGANIC TEXTILES - reasons to cotton on to organic textiles:

1. The absence of harmful chemicals is better for the future of our planet. Non-organic cotton farming uses one quarter of the world’s pesticides causing damage to the environment and causing illness and deaths among cotton workers.
2. Avoid hazardous chemicals.  Over 8000 chemicals can be used to turn cotton into a T shirt or duvet cover – organic bans the use of any chemicals that are hazardous to the environment or our health.
3. Campaigning for labour rights.  Organic cotton farmers in developing countries report higher incomes and better health.
4. Avoidance of GM.  GM cotton is grown commercially in many countries so choosing organic cotton is the best way to avoid buying GM.
5. No need to compromise.  Stylish organic clothing and household textiles are now widely available so there is no need to compromise on style and organic integrity.

The September event starts with the Soil Association Organic Festival, Europe’s largest organic celebration. This is on the 6th and 7th of September and is being held at Bristol Harbourside, covering a range of organic areas including green beauty and fashion makeovers.

But then the event goes national and the Soil Association are hoping there will be events right across the country for people to join in. Look at www.soilassocation.org and click on the Organic Fortnight box to see what is on in your area.

Between the 20th and 21st September, a special Organic Food Festival is being held in Glasgow. This is a major event across many venues and includes guided walks looking at the history of food in Glasgow and chefs demonstrating favourite dishes from the 1920s to 1940s.

More information is available from:

www.soilassociation.org

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