Why we choose organic
Ecology is an important priority for us. But why – and is ecology still relevant from a sustainability perspective?
The climate crisis is on everyone's lips – for very good reason. But lowering the carbon footprint of our meals is not the whole story of a more sustainable way of eating. There are other considerations as well – and that's where organic food production comes into view.
A holistic approach to sustainability
With organic ingredients, we address several different environmental concerns: We spare our agricultural lands, the nature surrounding it, and the groundwater from pesticides. We avoid artificial fertilizers which severely impact our local waters – a balance we have seen tip towards the abyss in recent years in Denmark. No least, organic principles ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.
Bangladesh is the only country more intensively farmed than Denmark. By choosing organic, we reduce the pressure on ecosystems and groundwater in our small country. For example, when we bake our bread using exclusively organic, locally grown flour we protect quite a lot of groundwater: For every kilo of organic flour, we spare 300 liters of groundwater from contamination with pesticides.
Is organic climate-friendly?
As a rule of thumb, the carbon footprint of organic versus conventional produce is comparable. However, some organic foods may have a bigger carbon footprint compared to their conventional counterparts. For example, when animals are free to roam, they use up more energy and they eat more. This increases their carbon footprint. In some cases, organic crops have a bigger footprint because the yield doesn’t quite match the yield in conventional agriculture. However, in some cases it can be the other way around, as some organic production is more energy efficient.
“ We have set ambitious goals to reduce the climate footprint of the meals we prepare. But we also believe that organic has an important place in our food landscape. What do you think?
FIVE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOOD
When you buy organic you get food without synthetic chemicals and additives and you avoid pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.
Animal welfare is one of the key benefits of choosing organic when it comes to food of animal origin. Organic livestock farming must meet the food sector's strictest standards for animal welfare.
When you buy organic products, you help spare the groundwater from toxins used in conventional fields. This makes an important difference in a small and intensively farmed country like ours, where our drinking water is right beneath our feet.
4. MORE SPACE FOR NATURE IN CULTIVATED LANDS
On average, there are 30 percent more wild plant and animal species on organically farmed land compared to non-organic farmland. By reducing pollution, organic farming reduces the pressure on aquatic ecosystems affected by the runoff from farmed lands.
You can't always say that organic produce tastes better. But all things being equal, organic plants and animals are given more time to grow and develop flavor under more natural conditions. That's why organic products often win awards.
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