Whether it's the result of an article you've read on animal welfare, a documentary you've seen on the environment or a debate you've had with friends over taste, choosing organic is something many of us now regularly do as part of our weekly shop. Organic food is no longer "niche" – it's an active choice for most of us. Here, freelance marketing consultant Lucy Middleton, 40, discusses the approach to organic taken by her family: husband Angus, 40, who runs ecoboom.co.uk, and their daughter Pia, 6.
When I met Angus, in 2000, I was a single, London girl with little more than cornflakes and champagne in the kitchen. The same year, I did some research and discovered that intensively reared cows have high levels of mucus. As well as worrying about my diet, I felt sorry for the cows, and never liked the idea of spraying chemicals on food.
Buying organic dairy led to other organic purchases and we enjoyed the quality. Angus initially thought "organic" was a rubber-stamping exercise, but he was impressed by the thorough Soil Association guidelines. He also liked cutting into vegetables straight from the ground. It made cooking more authentic.
I've always used leftovers and planned meals ahead, so our approach to food shopping is lean and mean. The quality of organic produce means that we fill up on smaller quantities – but enjoy it far more, which is healthy and great value. Organic food is much easier and cheaper to buy than when we started eating organically and although I don't enjoy supermarket shopping, and shop mainly online, I appreciate their extensive organic ranges.
Online shopping cuts down the waste we produce and we use everything we buy from our favourite producers. A slow cooker was another sound investment; I stick a selection of meat and vegetables in and come home to a gorgeous organic stew. I love the rich variety we get from experimenting with flavours. Organic herbs and mushroom ketchup are some of the greatest successes.
When Pia was born, I wasn't sure how we'd continue to eat organically as a family. I breastfed for six months and weaning is a challenge for every parent, but I made my own baby food using organic vegetables.
Pia eats a phenomenal amount of organic fruit and vegetables. Spinach is a surprising favourite of hers, along with olives and salami – sometimes all at once! I'm often shocked, but proud, when she chooses an apple over a biscuit, but that's completely her choice. She never developed a sweet tooth. Eating organically, and having the veg box, makes it easier for us all to be adventurous and we have a "try it once" rule. We eat together and a few nights a week we all eat child-friendly meals, such as pasta shapes or sausages. An organic menu doesn't have to be complicated or "grown-up".
I haven't made Pia aware of her organic diet as I don't want her demanding organic fish fingers when she goes to a friend's house for tea. Eating organically isn't an act of one-upmanship, it's our personal choice, but I do feel I've done something right when I see Pia thriving and enjoying a healthy diet.
Angus and I consider ourselves to be "eco-pragmatists". I like the term because it fits with our lives. I'm a busy working mum, but do the best I can to care for the environment within the confines of work and family life. I'm open to the idea of GM food if it's used for good, and I recently bought a Smart car because life was just too stressful without having my own transport. I don't think you should beat yourself up about the less eco-friendly steps you have to take to cope with modern life.
Whatever small gestures I make to be kinder to the environment can only be a good thing. Eating organically plays a big part in that.
Organics: the facts
● Organic food avoids pesticides and controversial additives, containing higher levels of vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium, as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants and omega-3.
● Research from the Organic Trade Board, a group of key organic processors and organisations, reveals that 83% of Britons now
buy organic food.
● The Organic Trade Board research also found that 64% of respondents buy organic food from supermarkets.
● The same survey shows that the main reason organic buyers choose organic food is because it is natural and unprocessed, and that two-thirds of Britons believe organic food tastes better than non-organic food.
