Youths eschew organic food

by Jaslyn Lai

May 1, 2008

MOST younger Western Australians are aware of the term ‘organic food’, but not of the food’s content, and would not take the initiative to consume it, says the founder of an local organic farming company.

Annie Dunn set up Absolute Organics Western Australia 10 years ago, selling the fruit and veges from her farm to organic stores across the state. Two years ago she stepped out of farming and started her own organic store at Gwendelup, selling organic products to the public.

“Organic food helps your body remain healthy because it is free of artificial food additives without use of antibiotics and growth hormones,” Mrs Dunn told eMU News. “Where it is free of chemicals, that would help maintain a healthy body in terms of weight loss, proper body system, less tiresome, and reducing possible diseases.

 “Though the organic food industry has grown in the past few years, a majority of youths in Western Australia hardly consume them, which is one of my main worries for the new generation.”

A voxpop of Murdoch University students on May 1 found many knew about organic food, but most did not consume it.

“Organic food is worth buying,” said Sherman Sim, “though it is fairly expensive because it helps us maintain a healthy body, free from conventional pesticides, artificial pesticides and ionizing radiation.”

Fellow student Eliza Koh said organic food prices would need to drop before younger folk started eating organic tucker, even though they were aware of the food’s health benefits.

By contrast, student Nelson Benignus said he assumed the normal food he was buying from the supermarkets was organic.

Annie Dunn suggests the WA Government should help promote through universities the benefits of organic food, and require supermarkets and restaurants to stock the food.