Why do we believe organic is best?

See below for the principles behind organic farming and growing, but to those who lack appreciation for this way of thinking, or even think it is something wacky, weird and expensive, we say this:

We believe organic food has been grown as it has been for generations, before the groovy 60’s when the wholesale spraying of crops and weeds began! Not only this, but also before the hugely intense farming of animals and their routine treatment with antibiotics that followed closely behind it.

So, to those people, we say:

Think traditional, think healthy . . . Do you really want to ingest vast quantities of chemicals that require special protective clothing to handle? Do you wish to have a permanent intake of antibiotics via the food chain that may mean any bacteria you contract are resistant to the one antibiotic you really need?
Yes, controls are necessary for pests on crops, but there are more eco-friendly farming methods and better, natural controls. Yes, animals do need antibiotics from time to time, as we ourselves do, but should their use be routine?

Expensive . . .

As ever in this world, we tend to get what we pay for but at Lantern Foods we work hard to keep prices competitive. In fact, it is our customers who tell us how pleasantly surprised they are by what they find. Surely this speaks for itself?

Our pricing policy is to maintain levels at the recommended retail price.

We do try to pass on any short-term discounts we receive to our customers by having monthly discounted lines. Please note however if ordering on-line, that while we endeavour to update information on the web-site regularly, prices may be subject to slight changes from those given.

Organic principles

Organic food provides a healthy option as studies show that on average organic food contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals than non-organic

It avoids the use of artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives

Genetically modified foods are not permitted by organic standards, thereby avoiding potential health and environmental risks

Herbicides and growth promoting/controlling chemicals are avoided and pesticide use is restricted. Emphasis is given to rotation of crops and biological control,    encouraged by having a diverse local flora and fauna to provide predators for the pests

No routine use of antibiotics is permitted in animal rearing, reducing the risk of bacterial resistance to antibiotics in humans

There are no hidden costs e.g. for the removal of chemicals from drinking water

It provides a high level of care for animals and the Soil Association standards are held as some of the highest in the world

Benefits for wild-life and the environment include lower pollution from sprays, less carbon dioxide production (the main global warming gas), and less dangerous wastes produced

Environment

All our activities take heed of environmental issues. We aim to:

Provide organic products wherever possible

Source locally as we are able

Reduce our impact on the environment by minimizing waste e.g. our cardboard waste packaging is mostly returned to the wholesaler for re-use

Encourage customers to re-use bags. Where necessary, we supply cardboard boxes (non-returnable) or paper bags

Evaluate suppliers and manufacturers for their environmental policies and their attitudes to workers’rights