As spring blooms in September, it’s the perfect time to start embracing a healthier lifestyle for both you and the planet. Incorporating organic foods and products into your shopping can lead to better health for your family while also contributing to the sustainability of our environment.
Organic goes beyond a label – it’s a commitment to health, sustainability and fairness. It protects soil, water and biodiversity, while supporting local supply chains and food security in South Africa. Choosing organic means supporting farmers who prioritise the environment and ensures quality, transparency and care in the food we consume.
Organic living embodies a philosophy that nurtures both people and the planet
“Organic agriculture is more than just clean produce free from pesticides and herbicides – it’s an ethos, a way of farming that nurtures the soil, supports ecosystems, and ultimately benefits the people who consume the food,” says South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) and Participatory Guarantee System South Africa (PGS SA) Head of Joint Operations, Matthew Purkis.
“The ‘Choose Organic’ campaign is raising consumer awareness about the impact of our choices. By supporting PGS-certified products, you are investing in smallholder farmers who create jobs in their communities and care for the earth. This is the past and future of agriculture on our planet. Be a regenerative human – Choose Organic!” says Purkis.
Buying organic supports smallholder farmers with indigenous knowledge
According to PGS SA, there are 18 PGS groups nationally in South Africa incorporating thousands of organic farmers. All PGS farmers are certified to the SAOSO organic standard and these smallholder farmers use traditional, indigenous knowledge to cultivate their crops sustainably, preserve biodiversity and protect the environment.
Maxabandile Mlauli is a PGS Co-Pollinator and agroecology farmer in the Eastern Cape, and one of the founders of the Mount Frere PGS group. “I discovered that my passion in life is organic farming, agroecology, regenerative agriculture and permaculture – it is only through practising and teaching these that we can heal our minds and our bodies as humanity. I believe that many of the problems that we are experiencing in our modern day society stem from human disconnection from nature. For, as the land heals, so too will the people find holistic healing.
“Organic food self-sustainability and poverty eradication through collaborative partnerships between organic co-operatives in Mount Frere forms the cornerstone of our PGS action plan,” he says.
African Marmalade founder and organic farmer, Siphiwe Sithole, says she is committed to preserving indigenous agricultural practices and reviving long-forgotten crops from across Africa. “I’m inspired by memories of the food that my maternal great-grandmother and paternal grandmother prepared. Their meals were simple, healthy and loaded with nutrients. Growing organically through indigenous ways passed down through generations is an enriching and rewarding life,” says Sithole.
By choosing organic, you help strengthen these local economies and promote food security. Your support provides farmers with better market access and resources, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and continue growing healthy, chemical-free food. This choice fosters resilience and sustainability in South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Organic food is healthier and more nutritious
Choosing organic food is also a smart move for your health. Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides and GMOs, ensuring that the products you bring home are free from harmful chemicals, which helps lower your body’s toxic load. These chemicals can build up in both the body and the environment, leading to negative health effects. A Harvard University study found that people who switched to an organic diet significantly reduced their exposure to harmful pesticides in just one week.
Moreover, organic products tend to be more nutrient-rich than conventional ones. Research from Newcastle University revealed that organic fruits and vegetables have higher levels of antioxidants and essential nutrients.
“Organic living nurtures every aspect of health: a healthy body through food grown in chemical-free, nutrient-rich soil; healthy animals raised with care and free from hormones; healthy plants thriving in biodiversity without forced chemical inputs,” says Extraordinary Professor Raymond Auerbach, Chair of the Network of Organic Agricultural Researchers in Africa (NOARA) and President of the Technology and Innovation Platform of IFOAM Organics International (TIPI).
“It fosters a healthy mind and spirit as organic communities work together, caring for each other and the planet. Remember, Mother Earth needs your support, but you need hers even more,” says Auerbach.
Organic farming moves the lever on climate change
Organic agriculture also mitigates climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing soil carbon sequestration and increasing resilience against climate-related stressors. By eliminating fossil fuel-based fertilisers and synthetic pesticides, organic farming reduces its carbon footprint.
Studies show that organic farming improves soil health, which enhances carbon storage and water retention, making it more resilient to extreme weather events. When consumers choose organic products, they actively contribute to the stewardship of our planet.
Certification ensures trust
Organic certification offers assurance that customers can trust. To make sure you are buying organic produce, look for certified organic products. In South Africa, we have second-party certification through PGS and third-party certification by accredited bodies like Control Union, Ecocert, Afrisco and CERES.
#ChooseOrganic this September
When you #ChooseOrganic – whether it’s organic swiss chard, rooibos or blueberries, or an organic cotton shirt, bodycare product or garden input – you’re aligning with a movement that nurtures the earth, supports local farmers, strengthens communities, and fosters a future where health and sustainability go hand in hand.
Organic isn’t just a label – it’s a commitment to the planet and its people. Make your everyday decisions powerful ones. #ChooseOrganic and join a growing community dedicated to a healthier world.
For more information, visit SAOSO’s social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/saoso.org/ and https://www.instagram.com/saoso_za/ or website: https://www.saoso.org/choose-organic/.
For more information on Participatory Guarantee Systems in South Africa, visit PGS SA’s social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/pgssa.org.za and https://www.instagram.com/pgssouthafrica/ or website: https://pgssa.org.za
