Newsletter #2 May 1, 2014

Organic v/s Baladi

The word baladi rings in our minds the bells of old times when
things were natural and healthy, when nature was still pristine and
clean. The times when we used to go to Jiyyeh on saturday mornings
to buy lettuce and greens, when trust was the bond between the
grower and the client. The ideal state we want to go back to in order
to allow our children to grow healthy.
In Lebanon, organic food is now a regular feature at most
supermarkets. This has created a bit of a dilemma : on one hand you
have a conventionally baladi" grown lettuce or cabbage, on the
other, you have one that's organically produced on Lebanese farms.
Both are rm, shiny and green.
Both provide vitamins and bers, and both are free of fat, sodium
and cholesterol.
Which should you choose? Baladi or Organic?
Organic culture
The word "organic" refers to the way farmers in Lebanon grow and
process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy
products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to
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Newsletter
the healthy & natural Lebanese alternative
Vegetables, greens and
fruits
Newsletter #2 May 1, 2014
encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers
who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods
to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example,
rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers may conduct
more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to
keep weeds at bay.
Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these
residues. Organic produce can be certied by specialized agencies
following tests that can show the chemical and pesticide content of
the land and produce.
Baladi culture
Baladi means from our land. Locally produced v/s imported. It is
good in a sense, when we buy baladi we encourage our farmers and
growers, we buy fresh, directly from the farm.
Unfortunately, with the wars in Lebanon, with the state of disregard
that our politicians and decision makers show, the agriculture has
taken a toll and so has the quality of our food. Although some
ventures have taken place to encourage a wiser and better use of
fertilizers and pesticides, the local farmers have acquired habits and
preconceived ideas of the best farming procedures which are not in
line with the best agricultural practices. They tend to apply chemical
fertilizers to promote plant growth, spray synthetic insecticides to
reduce pests and disease,use synthetic herbicides to manage
weeds.Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications
to prevent disease and spur growth. When farmers spray pesticides,
when they use synthetic fertilizers, this can leave residue on produce,
in our soil and our water. These conventional practices of fertilizing
and pest control help the farmer maximise his e"orts and input, they
insure a steady produce and good#looking appetizing fruits and
vegetables.
But the question remains Do our local farmers know the extent of
the e"ects of pesticides and chemicals on our land, crop, ora, water
and animals? Or do they favour quantity of crop over quality? Would
they apply better practices to enhance their land, the water they
drink and the produce they labor for? Or would they prefer to go on
producing good#looking vegetables we mistake for healthy food.
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Address
Achraeh, Abdel Wahab el Inglizi Street, Beirut Lebanon
+961 1 210 211
almarej.organicfood@gmail.com
FB Al Marej Organic Food Store
www.almarejorganicfood@wordpress.com
Higher prices is one
common concern with
organic food that might
cost more than
conventional foods.
Higher prices are due, in
part, to more expensive
farming practices.
Also, because organic
fruits and vegetables
aren't treated with waxes
or preservatives, they may
spoil faster or look less
than perfect odd shapes,
varying colours or smaller
sizes. However, organic
foods meet higher quality
and safety standards as
those of conventional
foods.