What does it mean to be working with The Soil Association for their BOOM Awards?

 

I’m thrilled to be part of the BOOMs celebrating the best of the organic market and the people and businesses creating change in the food industry. Organic farming helps look after our planet – we all have a part to play in this. We can no longer afford to sit back and wait for others to do the work in safekeeping our soil, our insects, our wildlife, our biodiversity. Time is running out and we must take action!

What are the BOOM Awards?

 

The BOOM awards celebrate the businesses, producers and brands working hard to make food as it should be throughout the UK, as well as commending some of the best new products and organic innovators working towards a sustainable future for all of us and I am delighted to be helping to launch this inspiring and incredibly important food awards.

 

How can we vote?

 

People can find out more about the Soil Association Certification BOOM awards 2019 and vote for their favourite organic product here: https://www.soilassociation.org/organic-living/boom-awards/

So, where can you find organic produce?

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Organic is now available across the UK in over 8,000 outlets, from supermarkets and independent shops to box schemes, markets, restaurants and online. So, if one option doesn’t work for you – try another! Try shopping as close to the producer as possible to get the best out of local and organic produce and local independent retailers tend to often stock exclusive new products that are not yet available in the supermarkets too.

 

How exactly do organic box schemes work?

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Specialist organic box delivery schemes allow you to get seasonal organic fruit, veg, eggs, meat, herbs, honey and so much more from hundreds of organic farmers delivered straight to your door. Cooking and eating seasonal ingredients is a great way to ensure a more sustainable diet and gives the best value for money.

 

But what about dry-goods?

Staples like pulses, pasta, rice and whole grains can often be brought in bulk and the organic versions often have a longer shelf-life, plus they are often the same price as their non-organic alternatives.

 

I always thought to buy organic, meant spending more money – but is that not the case?

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Buying organic can sometimes be more expensive – but not every time. I enjoy cooking with organic produce – but it doesn’t have to be all the time. Start by buying little bits here and there and notice how good everything tastes (and how much good it does)

 

By buying staples and utilising box schemes as I mentioned previously can help save money in the long-run. And if you plan your meals in advance, eat less, but better meat or try different cuts and seasonal ingredients, eating organic can be achievable and affordable for everyone. Where organic does cost more, it means you are paying for the extra care organic farmers place on the environment and animal welfare.

 

So, if you don’t buy everything organic - what products do you swear by that have to be organic?
A. At home I buy a range of fresh organic produce at our local market and at Wahaca we buy organic milk and do collaborations with organic vegetable producers. Milk is widely available and often costs only a fraction more than non-organic milk, but organic milk and dairy also contain around 50% more beneficial omega 3 essential fatty acids than non-organic.