Organic Foods & Grocery Shopping for Beginners

What are Organic Foods?

Appreciating (and buying) organic reflects an understanding that everything on earth is interdependent. 

“The whole system is linked – Soil. Plants. Animals. Food. People. Environment.”

What is widely referred to as ‘organic food’ is that which is made in line with the government's standards for organic farming. 

Organic food could consist of fresh produce or minimally processed foods created in accordance with organic best practices. You can find these in health stores or health food aisles of supermarkets all over Australia. 

Organic Fresh Produce

Why is organic fresh produce preferable to conventional produce? Because it is a result of wholesome and sustainable farming practices. 

The process begins with soil preparation; the soil is prepared in a way that yields high-quality produce. 

According to Australia’s National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce, farmers are expected to implement practices that “create soils of enhanced biological activity”. 

It’s the soil ecosystem, and not added fertilisers, that feeds the plants.  

Organic farming practices also rely on natural means of pest control. As a result, you’ll get pesticide-free produce bursting with flavour to be enjoyed by you and family at your local market.

Organic Meat and Dairy

Animals raised on organic farms are given nutritious feed that is also grown organically. They are free to roam, get plenty of sunshine, and grow naturally (free of growth hormones and antibiotics). Eating organic meat and dairy products offer a range of benefits that can improve both your health and the environment. Unlike conventional products, organic meat and dairy are produced without the use of synthetic hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This means that they are free from potentially harmful additives and chemicals that can accumulate in our bodies over time. Additionally, organic farming practices prioritise animal welfare and promote sustainable land use, reducing the negative impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment.

By choosing organic meat and dairy, you can support a healthier and more sustainable food system while enjoying high-quality, nutrient-rich products.

Organic Groceries

Shopping at the right organic one-stop shop, you can find everything you need to complete your weekly grocery shopping in one convenient location. From fresh produce to pantry staples, organic meats and dairy, and even household items, these stores offer a wide selection of high-quality, organic products. With the convenience of one-stop shopping, you can save time and effort while supporting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Whether you're looking to stock up on essentials or try out new recipes, an organic one-stop shop has everything you need to make your shopping experience easy, enjoyable, and eco-friendly.

What are the benefits of Organic Foods?

You may have come across aesthetically curated organic food lists on Pinterest and wondered if there is more to it than an earth-affirming ideology. Well, it turns out that the benefits of eating organic are numerous and well known.

• Organic food is minimally processed
• You’re avoiding the nasties (fertilisers, pesticides, growth hormones, etc.)
• You’re eating food as mother earth intended, with all its richness, flavour, and imperfections 
• You’re eating seasonal produce, plucked at its freshest and ripest
• You’re supporting local farmers by adopting sustainable practices
• Switching to organic makes it easier to eat healthy. This is a great alternative for working professionals who may not have the energy to cook a healthy meal at the end of the day.
• This works beautifully, too, if you’re a busy parent wondering how to get more nutrients into your fussy child.  

Is Organic Food Healthier?

Now for the most important question, and also what appears to be the biggest factor fuelling the rising popularity and acceptance of organic foods here and abroad. 

A 2016 study found that organic meat and milk were richer in certain nutrients than conventional alternatives. Regular consumption of organic foods has also been linked to lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. 

It should be noted, however, that more research has been recommended to conclusively establish the superiority of organic food over conventional options. 

But it’s hard to argue that eating food grown without chemical fertilisers and pesticides can only be beneficial for our health and that of our children. 

Unlike industrial farming, organic farming practises are sustainable and good for animals as well as the earth.

How to Shop For Organic Food

Armed with this information, we bet you’re pumped to create an organic food list and visit the local health store to fill up your pantry with nature’s goodies. 

But this space can quickly get overwhelming.

If you’re relatively new to eating the organic way, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Start with substituting your daily staples with organic options. This could mean making your breakfast with organic eggs instead of the regular ones. Since eggs are a must-have for most of us, these should absolutely be on your organic food list. 
• Munch on organic fruits and vegetables. They are often seasonal and procured from a farm near you, which guarantees freshness and flavour. These should be at the top of your organic food list.
• Swap your regular bread for organic bread 
• Use organic milk for your coffee instead of regular milk
• Serve organic cereal to your children (with organic milk) instead of their usual additive-filled sugar-laden choices
• Choose an organic wine for a relaxed Friday evening (yes, you should totally add alcohol to your organic food list)

For every favourite of yours, there’s likely an organic alternative that is healthier and tastier. By making this one simple switch you’re enhancing the nutritional value of your daily meals (and you’re doing the planet a huge favour, as well). Bread, milk, eggs, cereal and fresh produce - these are top fixtures on an organic food list.

Organic Food Grocery List

To make organic food shopping easier for you, and to add to the suggestions above, we’ve put together a sample list for organic foods.

For optimal health and nutrition, you might want to pick up a few of the following foods and add to your diet right away. 

While they are high in nutrients, did you know some of these also contain the most pesticides?  Choosing their organic version not only preserves but supercharges their health-boosting powers.

• Organic berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries). These should become a permanent fixture on your organic food list, unless you can grow them in your garden, which is ideal.  They can be easily added to your morning cereal, sprinkled on toast, or juiced into a smoothie.
  
  
• Organic leafy greens (such as kale, spinach, and beetroot leaves). These must feature on your organic vegetables list. Mix them in a salad bowl with a twist of lemon and salt. Add them to fruit smoothies to balance flavours and to soups for extra nutrition. 

• Organic avocado. This universal favourite is even better in its organic avatar and no organic food list is complete without it. Smash it into guacamole or add whole to toast, put it in smoothies, or eat it by itself!

• Organic nuts and seeds (excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans, and for anyone looking to add nutrition-rich options to their diet). Add them to your cereal and smoothies for extra crunch and goodness, turn them into a paste for your gravies, or snack on them with afternoon coffee.

• Organic meat and dairy. Since animals raised on organic farms are free to roam and mingle with the elements, and are given good-quality organic feed, they are healthier. And since they aren’t injected with antibiotics or growth hormones, their products are just better qualitatively compared to conventional options.

Check if the Food Is Truly Organic

You pop into a store with your organic food list, eager to shop healthier. You look for foods labelled ‘organic’ but bear in mind the use of this word isn’t strictly regulated in Australia. This means that companies may misrepresent their products as organic when in reality they are not. 

For a food item to be truly organic it needs to have zero or minimal synthetic additives. The only way to ascertain this is to check the list of ingredients at the back. 

Don’t fall for what it says on the label; that’s marketing (and this goes for any product you choose, not just organic ones). Read the ingredients, and if they only contain traces of organic materials, you know that’s not a product you want to pick. 

Look for the Australian Certified Organic BUD Logo 

This widely-recognised symbol is found on most organic products sold in Australia, which is a stamp of authenticity. 

You may find this logo on a wide range of organic products, not just food products. This symbol establishes that a product is organic and that it meets the rigorous quality criteria of Australian Certified Organic Standard.

Where to Shop for Organic Foods?

Shopping at organic stores or health food stores you trust is the best way to be confident in your purchases (in addition to looking for the BUD logo). 

At Organika, we hand-pick our range of organic products and vouch for their authenticity and quality. 

Organic Food Shopping Is Easy With Organika

At Organika, we stock wholesome and quality organic food that caters to a wide variety of dietary requirements. 

Whether it’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, non-GMO, vegetarian, paleo, or keto options that you’ve got on your organic food list, we have excellent products for you. 

If you’re interested in knowing more about our organic food, get in touch with our friendly team. 

If you’re a Noosa local, pop in for an energising organic smoothie post your morning run, as you tick off your organic food shopping list. 

For travellers, it’s never been easier to eat healthy on holidays. Visit us for a cup of fresh organic coffee or chai latte, and have a look at our hand-selected and affordably-priced range of organic products that compromises neither on taste nor on nourishment. 

We are open every day of the year (except for Christmas Day) right from 7am.