In recent years, we have increasingly heard the term regenerative agriculture as an approach capable of preserving and revitalizing soil biodiversity and the health of the planet.
However, isn’t this precisely what organic farming promotes?
What is the difference, if any?
Are we dealing with a rebranding of something that already exists or are we really dealing with a truly innovative proposal?
Let’s go by parts: organic agriculture has prioritized from the beginning the health of the soil, promoting soil fertility and biodiversity of the planet. In addition, organic agriculture has a series of regulations governing production that must be complied with to obtain the organic or sustainable label.
In this sense, regenerative agriculture maintains a focus on aspects that organic agriculture already contemplates.
It could be said that regenerative agriculture represents a natural evolution of organic farming.
However, in the absence of a universal certification standard or regulations governing production processes, it does not seem to make much sense to deviate from a hallmark that is already committed to recovering the health of the planet and the soil in favor of a new concept that seems more the fruit of certain organizations with specific interests.
In the absence of proper certification for regenerative agriculture, many conventional agricultural companies use this label as a greenwashing tactic .
We remind you that the principles of organic farming are as follows:
Soil health
Promotion of biological cycles
Crop diversity
Conservation of natural resources
Animal welfare
Non-use of GMOs
How do they really differ from what regenerative agriculture proposes?
While it is true that this is a term that is being used to redefine some practices, regenerative agriculture goes back to aspects such as the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers under the pretext of the search for soil regeneration.
In this sense, it is important to understand that all methods used in organic farming are designed to regenerate and preserve natural resources, which inherently makes it a regenerative approach.
However, not all agricultural methods that focus on the regeneration of ecosystems comply with the principles of organic farming. Therefore, while organic farming embraces regeneration as part of its philosophy, not all regenerative farming is organic.
There is no doubt of the importance of continuing to explore new mechanisms and tools that promote the health of the planet without harming the environment.
Keeping abreast of the latest research allows us to move towards a horizon of sustainability; however, organic certification already represents the beacon that guides us in this direction.
Let’s not forget that, through this seal, the commitment to environmentally friendly practices is recognized and a path towards environmental preservation is consolidated.
So, you know, when in doubt, always look for the green leaf.
This fact may surprise you: globally, one third of the food produced is wasted. Yes, you heard right. Of all the food we produce, one third is thrown away. This is not only unsustainable, but also implies a significant waste of resources destined for food production.
While tons of food go to waste, entire communities struggle to access food. Every year, 1,300 tons of food are wasted, which has a profound environmental, social and ethical impact.
The great food paradox
We produce more than 60% of the food we need, yet more than 8500 children die every day from severe malnutrition. As you can see, the system is neither fair nor efficient and it is imperative to take action.
Faced with an overpopulated world, the answer is undoubtedly in organic agriculture, the only one capable of achieving higher yields with less water, a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce and will become even scarcer in the future.
Here are some tips on how to reduce food waste at home:
Smart shopping
Opt to buy smaller quantities more frequently. When we make large purchases, we tend to buy more than we need. It is therefore preferable to buy fresh food according to daily or weekly needs and reserve non-perishable products for more frequent purchases. Flee from the full fridge syndrome!
Shopping List
Make a shopping list and stick to it to buy only what you need. The planet will thank you and your wallet too.
Order in the kitchen
Many times, due to lack of order in the fridge or pantry, we have to throw away food that we didn’t even know we had stored. Remember to check your groceries weekly and make sure to organize them according to their expiration date to avoid throwing away food you forgot you had.
Best before is not best before date
Keep an eye out! Beware of products marked as ‘preferential consumption’. Studies show that many foods with a best-before date that are not spoiled are wasted. This confusion is more common than it seems: while there are products that should be thrown away after their expiration date, those marked with a “best before” date can be consumed without any problem.
Meal planning
Plan weekly menus in advance to combat food waste. Often, when we get home tired from work, we opt to order food from home or buy ready-made meals, leaving the food we already have at home to spoil. If we plan our menus in advance, it is much easier to use the products we already have.
Batch cooking
Do you know batch cooking? Cook once for the whole week and forget about stress and food waste. Prepare versatile dishes with small variations to be consumed throughout the week. The key is to cook a base (rice, legumes, potatoes…), add a vegetable or animal protein and add as many vegetables as you want, either cooked or fresh. If they are fresh, you can store the dressings and sauces separately to mix everything at the time of eating.
Do you know what organic meat production consists of? What are the benefits of consuming it? Here are some arguments so that, when buying meat, don’t forget to look for the ecological seal: the green leaf.
As you know, organic production is much more than a set of practices and approaches to growing food, it is an ethical decision based on sustainable practices that respect the environment, promote biodiversity and seek to reverse the damage that humans cause to the planet.
Animals are also part of this planet and are therefore harmed by the unsustainable (and highly unethical) practices of conventional livestock farming. In this sense, organic meat is the best alternative for those who are looking for a responsible and fairer option with animals and the environment.
These are some compelling reasons to opt for the consumption of organic meat:
Animal welfare
This is the most important point. Sustainable animal husbandry ensures animal welfare by providing optimal living conditions and space for them to live healthy and happy lives.
Reduced environmental impact
Organic meat production is more sustainable than conventional meat production, not only because fewer chemicals are used, but also because it promotes livestock and agricultural practices that favor soil regeneration, biodiversity and pollution reduction. By opting for organic meat, we are not only choosing a more ethical product, but we are also promoting the conservation of natural areas, for us and for generations to come.
3. Support for sustainable production
Farmers who opt for organic meat are committed to sustainable methods and a fairer system for everyone, including the animals. Buying organic meat makes it possible to continue to have an alternative to large-scale factory farms, which are not only very harmful to the planet, but also inhumane to animals.
4. Quality and taste
Meat from organic livestock is distinguished by its quality and better taste. This is a result of the animals’ more varied diet, their living conditions and the use of natural feed with reduced levels of antibiotics and hormones. In addition, an animal that lives better, in a more natural and stress-free environment, will produce higher quality meat.
5. Contribution to biodiversity
Organic production systems encourage biodiversity by promoting crop rotation, conservation of natural habitats and preservation of native animal breeds. In addition, in many cases, animal excrement is used as organic fertilizer, which improves soil quality and allows the recycling of nutrients.
And remember that organic meat is not only available in the supermarket, but you can also find it in many local butcher shops. Be sure to ask questions whenever you have doubts and consciously choose the best products for both you and the planet!
Look no further. We offer you a list (there are many more!) of bars and restaurants with a wide range of organic food for you to enjoy in an ethical and sustainable way also outside your home.
Taberna La Carmencita is the second oldest tavern in Madrid and is located at number 16 Libertad Street. In this place full of charm you will find traditional food of all life with products from sustainable and organic food. A must for eco food in Madrid.
Don’t miss…: Their organic veal meatballs from the Cantabrian cooperative Siete Valles de Montaña with blonde sauce.
Its canteen located in Matadero is a wonderful industrial space that hosts simple organic food dishes such as pizzas, starters and salads that combine fresh and sustainable ingredients, creating a unique dining experience in a modern and very cozy atmosphere.
Don’t miss…: Its beautiful terrace overlooking the Manzanares and its mixed dishes.
In the heart of the Raval, this restaurant opened more than 50 years ago and offers a sustainable, traditional and casserole cuisine full of flavor. L’hortet has a daily menu suitable for all budgets that changes according to the season.
Don’t miss…: Their super-affordable daily menu based on seasonal organic food.
Since a few years ago, Flax & Kale has become a must stop for all those who are looking for organic food in an incomparable atmosphere in the center of Barcelona. In addition, they have a wide variety of juices and eco drinks that they make themselves, perfect to refresh you if you are out for a walk.
Don’t miss…: Their freshest starters and any of the specialties of Teresa, its founder.
If you want to eat a Valencian paella with fresh and local ingredients in the surroundings of La Albufera de Valencia, you have to visit El Palmar. If you also want to eat a spectacular rice full of flavor in a place committed to the conservation of its natural surroundings and the environment, you have to visit Arrocería Maribel.
Don’t miss…: Its fantastic rice dishes and its ancestral elaborations such as espardenyà or arròs amb fesols i naps.
Spectacular space with a visual proposal that recreates the shapes of nature and hosts a menu full of local ingredients, fresh vegetables grown by local farmers and both plant-based and meat options from farms committed to animal welfare.
This sustainable organic and seasonal food restaurant is located next to the Viapol courthouse. It is a versatile space to buy, eat and drink fresh, local, organic, sustainable and seasonal products.
Don’t miss…: Their authentic scrambled eggs for their traditional taste of homemade food of a lifetime.
This organic and seasonal food restaurant is located next to Maria Luisa Park in Seville. In it, you will not only find delicious dishes made with local organic products, but also a market and a culinary center. It is one of the absolutely essential places if you want to enjoy a sustainable gastronomic experience in the Andalusian capital.
Don’t miss…: Their Iberian cheeks in Port wine with mashed potatoes and their traditional flamenquines.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the value of food. More and more people are looking for organic and seasonal foods, although the price differential may vary for certain products. Do you know the difference between value and price? Don’t hesitate any longer, we explain it all to you.
It is important for us to keep in mind that when we choose to buy conventional food at a low cost, it is always at the cost of something: either intensive production methods are used that employ pesticides and chemicals to reduce costs (less water, less time, less work…) that seriously damage the health of our planet and the people who live on it or the farmer does not obtain adequate profits for his work (in many cases, insufficient). In any case, these savings are always at the expense of the quality of the products that reach our hands and of agricultural practices that are questionable to say the least.
That said, What is the difference between value and price? Price is only what we pay for a product, while value implies taking into account the benefits and qualities of the product.
That is, while some organic foods may be higher priced (and not always!), their true value lies in nutritional quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly production, and support for ethical farming practices.
Let’s talk about oil (at the price it’s at!)
The price difference between an eco oil obtained in a sustainable way and a conventional one is approximately 45 euros per year. This can be a considerable expense for many families, but do you know the true value of organic oil?
Choosing to buy organic products is not only a cost in our pocket, but a commitment to the welfare, ours and the planet’s, the environment, sustainability in the short, medium and long term and with farmers who respect and care for the land they work and the product they get from it. Although it may initially appear to be a higher investment, the value of an eco oil in terms of nutritional quality, reduced environmental impact and support for ethical and sustainable agricultural practices, far outweighs any price difference compared to a conventional oil.
Whichever way you look at it, investing in organic food is, without a doubt, investing in a better future for us and for the planet. For this reason, it seeks the green leaf and opt for eco and organic products. Your well-being and that of the planet will thank you.
By now, no one doubts how harmful plastics are to the environment and to people’s health. We could give a thousand reasons to try to convince that the use of non-biodegradable materials is incredibly harmful to the planet, but it is already quite clear… Or is it?
We know that plastic can take hundreds of years to degrade completely. We know that our oceans are full of plastics and microplastics that we ingest through fish and that pollute the environment and marine ecosystems. We know that rivers and mountains are full of non-biodegradable materials that not only pollute the environment, but are also harmful to flora and fauna. We know the impact plastic has on human health. However, despite all this, we continue to consume and manufacture all kinds of plastic products and packaging. The cosmetics industry alone produces 120 billion packages every year, the vast majority of which are made of plastic.
This is why it is important not only to consume eco and organic products, but also to pay special attention to packaging (and buy in bulk whenever possible!).
Organic food and biodegradable packaging
In this sense, it is essential for organic food to use biodegradable packaging that does not harm the environment. It’s not just a question of eco products being sustainable on the inside, but also on the outside. Therefore, environmentally friendly packaging must take care of the planet and be in line with the 7Rs: redesign, reduce, reuse, repair, renew, recover and recycle.
To recognize companies that strive for innovative and sustainable packaging, there are the following awards Ecodesign Awards organized by Ecovalia, which highlight the best packaging for ecological and organic products. The competition rewards packaging that is not only sustainable, but also looks sustainable.
The awards Ecodesign Awards awards value products that have a sustainable image and environmentally friendly packaging and whose materials are recycled.
Pay close attention at the supermarket to products that meet these characteristics (and have the green leaf label!) and get them whenever you can.
Remember:
Try to buy products whose packaging contains biodegradable materials (this also applies to shampoos, toothpastes, creams, gels…).
If you have to buy something that comes packaged in plastic: REJECT IT!
Reuse containers whenever possible. Glass, for example, is perfect for storing leftovers, works as a tupperware and is ideal for food storage.
If you can, participate in the cleanup of the environments you visit by picking up the non-biodegradable trash you find (this can be a very good activity with children).
Don’t throw it away, recycle it! We are very bad used to throw away everything that breaks down, but it is important that we recover the old habits: repairing is the key to stop consuming at the rate we do.
Open your eyes: practically everything we consume is wrapped or made with plastic, from food to cleaning products, from personal hygiene products to the packaging of what we buy online. It is important that we educate ourselves and start looking at the packaging and wrapping of what we consume: is it really necessary to buy bananas or avocados in a polystyrene tray wrapped in plastic wrap? Of course not!
Sources:
Greenpeace report: Recycling is not enough. Plastic packaging waste management in Spain.
Ecodesign Awards
The sustainable plastic revolution reaches the cosmetics industry
Microplastics in food: their effect on health and how to reduce them
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