Food is any material consumed to supply nutrition to an organism living in the environment. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and consists of essential nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or iron. Many foods are converted into energy or stored as energy in the form of fat, and food plays a role in the health of an organism by providing nutrients that the organisms needs for normal growth, development and maintenance. It also facilitates the survival of an organisms through its ability to defend against predators, diseases and other agents. The types of food are complex carbohydrates, starches, and sugars, and include many food categories, including animal feeds, human food, plant foods, fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and cereals.
Every living thing is made up of molecules that consist of atoms and chemical bonds. These are made up of both proton and electron, with each having a complete set of electrons at different locations. All living cells need a source of energy to function, which may be in the form of food, air, water, light, or stored energy from radioactive decay of used food. The food chain has a life cycle, beginning with the seed of the plant, continuing through all of the life stages and ending with the death of the plant. Organic foods, those produced from living organisms, must also meet the standards set forth in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
Organic foods, produced without use of pesticides, herbicides, artificial fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics, are a sustainable, natural way of feeding the world while still maintaining the health of the people who eat them. These foods are a part of the “common good” rather than the “common evil,” so they are an important part of the solution for improving nutrition, rather than posing a threat to it. They are not only safer for you and I, but they are also better for the environment as well, retaining more of the nutrients that we put into our foods.
Organic foods production is a complex process with many factors affecting it. One of these factors is the quality of the soil in which the food is grown. If the soil is poor, then the plants cannot produce to their full potential, losing a lot of their nutritional value. This can be particularly problematic in areas where the soil is highly depleted. Another factor that affects the quality of the food supply is the amount of synthetic chemicals used in the growing process. These can either be toxic or leave chemicals behind in the food, reducing its nutritional value even further.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with working with a co-op, buying organic vegetables and fruits is definitely a better choice for your family. Buying in bulk will help you save money and, depending on the size of the food bank you have, will allow you to buy large quantities at a lower price per head. Working directly with local farmers is another good way to assure yourself that you are getting the highest rate of return for your money. In most cases, farmers will be more than willing to talk to you about the variety of organic vegetables and fruits they grow, helping you choose exactly what you want. Working directly with them means you can ensure your food bank stocks the highest rate of quality produce available.
The above reasons provide just a small sampling of the reasons why direct food delivery may be the healthiest way to shop for food. It’s important to think about the long-term effects of food you buy, whether it’s purchased in bulk or from a local farmer. You will find that healthy food choices, both in terms of nutrition and cost, will help your overall food security. By working with food scientists, producers and local retailers, you can ensure the food supply you enjoy every day is the highest rate of nutritional value.