More Welsh Shoppers are Going Organic Than Ever Before
Wales (PRWEB UK) 21 October 2013 -- A new survey has proven that Welsh shoppers no longer associate organic food with affluence and elitism, Graig Farm in Montgomeryshire, Wales have been farming organic produce since the 1940’s.
The family farm in Mochdre, Montgomeryshire is now run by Jonathan Rees who has lived on the farm his entire life and is the proprietor of Graig Farm Organics. He plays an active role in running the farm along with his wife Sally and three sons, Maldwyn, Max, Archie and daughter Annie.
Jonathan said, "As a young child, I was taught an appreciation of good food through growing up on the farm.
"It was a familiar sight to see Mother preparing wonderful meals for the family from the produce that we’d produced - so I knew exactly where it came from and how it had got to my plate”. It was only after Jonathan went traveling that he realised that other, mass-produced food didn’t have the same taste as the organic produce he was used to at home.
The Organic Centre Wales has carried out the study on Welsh shoppers views of organic food and found that compared to 2010, 19% more people have bought Organic food this year. Which means only 54% (down from 73%) said they have never bought it.
For many years, it has been Jonathan Rees’ dream to continue to produce great tasting produce without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, growth promoting drugs, routine use of antibiotics, and the large amount of additives often used in ‘non-organic’ methods.
Jonathan explained: “Organic means as nature intended.” Our farming methods have not changed as this is the way in which I believe agriculture must be, to sustain a way of life that is all about natural goodness. More people are buying organic produce because of their belief in the sustainability that the organic way has to offer.”
Other professionals seem to agree as Graig Farms Organics has won a number of awards for the quality of their organic meat including the ‘True Taste’ award and winning for their lamb an unprecedented five times. They have also achieved the top prize for their organic sirloin of lamb.
Neil Pearson from the Organic Centre Wales highlights one of the survey’s key findings: “One really interesting thing that came out from this study is that it reflects the many different reasons that people have for choosing organic produce – from health and taste, to animal welfare and wider environmental benefits.”
Although it has not been scientifically proven, there is a belief that organic food production could reduce health risks as it doesn’t use the chemicals and pesticides that are used for none organic food. These chemicals can get in to the air, earth and water through agriculture which is why organic farming is helpful to reduce these chemicals in our diets.
Animal welfare is also put first in organic farming as it requires animals to be free range and have a set standard of living conditions while prohibiting the use of hormones for growth. The animals must have a set amount of space to be able to roam free and live healthily unlike commercially reared animals which often live in small spaces without the freedom to move or interact.
The Graig Farm Organics online shop allows the Rees family to provide their award winning produce to the public. A range of products from their own farm, and from other fully traceable organic sources, are now available and can be ordered online and delivered directly to your door at http://www.graigfarm.co.uk.
Notes To Editors
Connect with Graig Farms on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/graigfarmwales Twitter: https://twitter.com/graigfarm
Chloe Richards, Colewood, +44 20 3475 3059, [email protected]
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