On 4 and 5 May in the Center for Riudoms Arnau de Palomar, in Riudoms, will carry out the agrarian reflection Days 2012, an initiative for dialogue, knowledge and exchange of experiences in the new agriculture contemporary organized by the Section of CERAP Agrarian Studies. The first day will be a talk about organic farming by Andreu Vila, associate professor of ESAB and agricultural adviser and founder of Can Perol. The second day will be a discussion on business models where intervene, among others, Anna Mas as Aprodiscae Hortus representative. Find out more information here. |
An organic food is one that has been developed using the principles of organic farming in Europe (EC) No 834/2007, which aims to obtain high-quality food, healthy, nutritious, tasty and free of waste, respecting the environment. Preserves both plant and animal biodiversity and promoting sustainable local development and food sovereignty in the territories. Its basic principles are: 1. Respect the natural fertility of the earth and its cycles. On organic farms, using agroecological management techniques that are environmentally friendly and can produce pounds of food waste. These techniques include:
In contrast, conventional farming typically used synthetic fertilizers, which are environmentally friendly and have a negative impact on biodiversity: For their elaboration usually use non-renewable energy, used in excess contaminate underground reserves of water and its recurring use can impoverish the soil and reduces bacterial fauna. 2. Preserving Biological Diversity: Varieties, species and breeds. Organic farming preserves the variability among living organisms from ecosystems (terrestrial, marine, water, …) then do not use aggressive techniques to the environment as it does conventional agriculture involving the removal of land for flood create reservoirs for irrigation, displacement of wildlife by domestic livestock, the use of pesticides and the introduction of monoculture. 3. Do not use chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, fungicides or herbicides, thereby minimizing the ecological footprint. The ecological footprint is the impact of human activity on the environment expressed in hectares of land is required for the kind of life we lead. Agriculture and livestock to minimize the ecological footprint in the production of food for our consumption. 4. It does not use genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms (aka GMOs) are plants and animals whose genetic material has been altered through scientific methods. Are prohibited in organic farming for risks that may lead to health (may increase the risk of allergies, antibiotic resistance and possible effects of the immune system), but also by environmental risks and genetic contamination with consequent reduction of biodiversity. 5. Making responsible management of resources. It is a sustainable use of natural resources: water, land, energy required, the waste management and so on. 6. The most respected animal welfare. That is, a place and ensures adequate living conditions for farm animals to prevent their continued suffering. This means that you must respect the needs of animals:
7. Very restricted use of food additives. Food additives are substances added to food to modify the organoleptic or to improve the preparation and / or preservation. In the organic food are only allowed to use those additives necessary to ensure food safety. How can you identify an organic food? You can find it in stores as of Hortus Aprodiscae the name of ecological, organic, biological, ecological or bio. All other classifications (eg “natural”, “healthy”, “diet”, etc) does not refer specifically to organic products. In addition, if you want a guarantee that it is an organic food must be certified by the relevant regulatory authorities. In the case of Catalan products does the Catalan Council of Ecological Agricultural Production (estates) and the European Union. Identified visually through the seals and the estates Euroleaf. |
Today we will discuss the Quinoa, a seed native to the Andean region of America. The Incas called it “chisaya mama” meaning mother of all grains. What is Quinoa?Quinoa, though apparently looks like a grain, it is not. Actually it is a plant of the family amarantàcies as chard and spinach. It is mainly cultivated for its edible seeds, cream and tiny as sesame Properties of Quinoa
How to cook quinoa?Quinoa is very versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. The most common way is to cook it like rice or cous-cous, cooked with vegetables like Risotto, for example. Practical Tips:Before cooking it must be washed with water several times to remove the saponin, a bitter substance that protects much of parasites. For your cooking must be done in twice its weight in water or broth for about 12-15 minutes on low heat. Most of the seeds have to bust up |
On December 12 Abertis held its third Corporate Volunteer Day, focusing on Group employee awareness on the situation of the most disadvantaged children. Throughout the day activities were organized at different venues of the Group in Spain. In Logistics Park headquarters, along with a sample of the Declaration Hortus Aprodiscae was present again with a small stall at the fair. We welcome and appreciate being a part of such corporate volunteer initiatives that have a positive social impact. |
There are many reasons to eat organic food. We are sure that if we asked each person entering the store Montblanc Hortus Aprodiscae we behave a good surprise the large number of reasons. We summarize it in 10 reasons:
Why buy Hortus APRODISCAe? To generate social value: Hortus Buying in contributing to the creation and maintenance of jobs for people with intellectual disabilities, mental illness and / or social exclusion working in our organization. Because values that territorial Buying in Hortus’re promoting the dignity of farmers and producers of our rural counties and contribute to local development and food sovereignty of Catalonia. And you … what are your reasons? 😉 |