Organic...the basics you need to know.

In Lebanon, we tend to confuse Organic production with "Home made", "Natural" or "Private gardening". We sometimes even believe that "organic" is restricted to "healthy"...healthy for your body and diet. But these prejudice are incorrect...Organic is actually extremely linked to Environment...so let us elaborate a little more in order to brighten the big picture.

1-How to define "Organic Foods"?

Organic foods are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.
For the vast majority of human history, agriculture can be described as "organic"; only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. The organic farming movement arose in the 1940s in response to the industrialization of agriculture known as the Green Revolution.

Last but not least: [On the contrary to what you may think], the weight of the available scientific evidence has not shown a significant difference between organic and more conventionally grown food in terms of safety, nutritional value, or taste. [This must be double checked in reference to the Lebanese reality.]
source: wikipedia, more here.

2-How could we distinguish organic products from conventional ones (in local Lebanese context)?

No farmer can claim that his / her crops are organic just because they believe they are. Soils must be tested and the whole farming process must be monitored and regulated in order to accredit such sayings. There are independant certifying bodies who operate on this level in order to grant producers an official Organic Certification for their production, and hence, an official organic label for their products.

In Lebanon, two bodies are approved to certify and grant the organic label: IMC (Instituto Mediterraneo di Certificazione) and LibanCert.

During their assessment, they inspect the facilities, the soil, the water used for irrigation, the packing material, the cleaning products, and they do random sampling of final products to be sent for laboratory tests.

While buying local products at the store, look for the below logos for certification:

3-Organic farming and Environment...any impact?

According to a French study done by the Agence BIO (2006 report), organic farming has demonstrated positive impacts on the soil's structure and fertility; some of the study findings are listed below:

• Absence of residues of synthetic chemical pesticides
• Intense biological soil activity
• Higher level of organic sustances in the soil
• Limited nitrate pollution
• Crop diversity, landscape diversity
• Biodiversity of natural species are witnessed in the surroundings of organic farms
• Conservation of the genetic diversity of cultivated plants

The soil is a living environment, housing a variety of bacteria, micro-fungi, insects, earthworms etc. It is a complex and multi-functional nonrenewable resource! We must preserve it from often irreversible damage given its major role in the regulation of natural balances.

75% of French consumers accompany their organic purchase with an ethical incentive. They believe that choosing organic is looking beyond the present and making a sustainable choice for generations to come.

4-Where can you purchase fresh and processed local organic products?

I've researched some local outlets and specialized stores...listed below in random order:

Organic Bakery Chouf area Tel: 05340371; available in Beirut through network stores

Beit el Soha Facing Hotel Dieu hospital, Achrafieh; Tel: 01398366

A New Earth Achrafieh (Zahrat al Ihsan street); Tel: 01219920

Live Organic New Naccache, main road; Tel: 04444886

Healthy Basket Store in Hamra & Home Delivery; Tel: 01747831 and 03794438

Naturalia located in Baabda, Tel: 05456566

It is a narrow list and does not include all places, in addition to small selective outlets, all supermarkets usually do have imported and local organic items.