insideKENT Magazine Issue 42 - September 2015 | Page 74

HEALTH+WELLNESS The Benefits of Organic Organic is everywhere these days, from farmers’ markets to the supermarket; but although it may seem like it, organic is not a new concept. BY LISAMARIE LAMB While it may feel as though organic food, clothing, and other products have only been around for a few years, it’s not a new thing by any means. In fact, before WWII, every crop that was grown and harvested in the UK was organic, since no chemicals were used at all. However, the war left many a scar, and the farming industry was called upon to produce more and more food for the war effort, and for afterwards when the country needed to get back on its feet. The easiest and most effective way to do that was to start using chemicals and pesticides to increase harvests and save as much of the crop as possible from rodents and insects. Food might be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘organic’, but pretty much everything can be made from organic materials