Organic Food Benefits Kids, Families

Organic Foods and Dirt?  YES Please!

Written By: KT Homes Director of Partnership: Sustainable Sharing by Mile High Organics. Creative Sustainability Consultant/ Writer/ Illustrator of Sasha and Mishoo: Little Yoga Warriors

I often stand in complete awe, with a heavy dose of confusion, as I stare at the produce selection at my local grocery store. There is an endless sea of labels.   One label says,  “Conventional” meaning, yes we use the old methods of spraying loads of toxic pesticides on our crops and then ask for you to buy and feed it to your families.  Then there is, “Conventional Local” grown right here in your backyard of Colorado, but still with a dose of heavy toxins, which then drip into our water systems AFTER it’s gone through our soil.    There is “Organic” from California, Florida, or Belize, just a long truck, ship or plane ride away. Last but not least, “local AND organic” the farmers down the road grew it, soil clean, safer and incredibly fresh. Or at least we would hope to think so. But after all that muddling over which one and why, can I afford to take the step?  Yes and that’s a double yes if you have children.  Here’s why:

Having worked with children for the past fifteen years, ten of them on the organic and sustainable bandwagon, I have seen first hand what kind of impact organic foods have on a child’s overall well being. More fresh veggies and fruit mean better performance, not just in your children’s capacity to learn in a classroom setting but in the field as well. Less processed foods and sugars mean fewer tantrums, fitful nights of sleep and an increased attention span.  It means a healthier being, increased immune system and long term prevention of various diseases.  Because conventional foods are usually full of poisons that break down the immune system, you’ll spend less time in and out of the doctors’ office during flu season and more time enjoying the snow. Most believe that it’s fine to eat conventional foods that have been sprayed with toxins.  They feel that if they peel, scrub, wash and remove they aren’t at risk for consumption.  It’s not just about what is on the outside but what is on the inside.  Your food obtains its nutrients through the soil in which they are rooted. If it’s in the soil it’s in your food and if it’s in your food it’s in your body.

If you allow your child to play in the dirt and turn your head when they consume it, then you have already acquired extra brownie points.  A good old fashion eating of the worms and dirt will also automatically boost your child’s immune system and increase their natural capacity to ward off disease, allergies and illness.

If you would like to buy organic and local food minus the trip to the market I recommend Mile High Organics www.milehighorganics.com

To learn more about soil and how it directly impacts our food systems watch this great movie: “Dirt:  The Movie” http://www.dirtthemovie.org

To learn more about the food systems check out the movie “Food Inc.” http://www.foodincmovie.com/ there are a variety of books and films to be found so I encourage you to conduct self-motivated homework and find something you can personally connect with. For now? Read, Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Our Four Meals AND The Omnivore’s Dilemma for Kids:  The Secrets Behind What you Eat by Michael Pollan