3 Beijing Families on Growing Their Own Organic Food

From the dawn of agricultural societies to present-day backwood barns, humans have farmed, cultivated, and grown produce for tens of thousands of years. Nowadays, however, as most of us abandon our rural habitats and move to busy, congested cities, traditional farming has taken on a new form.

Driven by a growing demand for organic and sustainable food, more families now opt for the “grow-your-own” trend, where people take on backyard farming, urban farming, gardening, even going as far as cultivating a plot of land in the countryside.

The organic food movement seems to be at its peak, but questions are still being raised. Are organic foods healthier? Does organic food have the potential to be available to all? Will organic food be a passing trend or the future of food? We chatted with three families who grow organic food about their views on the practice.

 The Zhou FamilyWhat reasons made your family decide to start growing your own food?
It started as an idea years ago when my daughter and I made a plan for a family farm when we lived in rural England. Since then, I’ve visited many farms in the UK and US, and I love the feeling of being close to nature, it’s something I’d like to share with more kids and adults.Now that we grow our produce, I find it to be the most natural environment for a person. Through it, I wish to teach my children, as descendants of a mainly agricultural country, the skill of providing for oneself, and staying true to one’s roots.How has being able to grow your own produce helped during lockdown?
Amidst the lockdown, our little farm has become a reliable source of food. We harvest so much produce that it not only feeds ourselves but our neighbors as well. It’s also a place to raise spirits and refresh ourselves without the threats of the coronavirus. The vibrant, green land is a wonderful sight, and we keep healthy and fit by working.How do you think the food industry will be changed by the public’s preference for organically grown food?
Growing your own food is a lifestyle enjoyed by more and more people. It is an experience whereby you work hard to feed yourself and learn to cherish every piece of food you have. I believe consumers will be more educated in sustainability and produce less food waste if they took part in this activity.Do you believe that organic foods have the potential to become a global norm?
Yes, I believe so; it is only a matter of time. More people will learn the lesson from environmental degradation, natural disasters, and will learn to cherish the earth – eating organic is the best way of conserving the earth and protecting our motherland.

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The Ong FamilyWhat reasons made your family decide to start growing your own food?
I’ve always had the romantic idea of growing my food, and we’ve been looking for an opportunity to be more committed to this idea. We found starting a proper vegetable garden to be quite unpractical, so we eventually decided to start a small, aesthetic vegetable garden in our backyard.Growing plants is an educational process, it’s about knowing what has or hasn’t been put into your food, the presence or absence of pesticides, what is or isn’t in season. That process of nurturing growth is also calming, almost meditative.What is your view on the organic foods trend?
The term “organic” is often misunderstood by the general public, as the definition varies from place to place. I’ve had people telling me not to use pesticides when we were infested with bugs, not to use medicine when we experienced a disease, while other people that believe a certain amount of chemicals is essential. Everyone has a slightly different perception of “organic”, which makes taking up organic farming a difficult task.

Do you believe that organic foods have the potential to become a global norm?
Growing and eating organic foods is not cost-effective. The other day, a friend joked that the amount of money I’ve spent on this garden for a year would exceed our family’s annual food bills. Financially speaking, not everyone has the prerequisites to afford organic foods, let alone start an organic garden.The Zandian FamilyWhat reasons made your family decide to start growing your own food?
I enjoy the slow-paced, rural lifestyle of growing, nurturing, and picking things. It’s relaxing to tend to my plants and fruits, and they give me great comfort.What is your view on the organic foods trend?
It’s a good thing that people prefer organic foods since I do believe they are a healthier option. However, organic foods are not always affordable, which makes them not readily available to the general public. Even starting a small garden costs a fortune, and the organic label on supermarket goods only increases their price.How has being able to grow your own produce helped during lockdown?
Every morning I take a trip to visit my plants, tomatoes, strawberries; they keep me busy and fill in the time gaps that have appeared since the lockdown.Do you believe that organic foods have the potential to become a global norm?
It would be fabulous if it were for everybody, but the global population is growing, and the slow, inefficient methods of growing organic foods will not be able to sustain our global needs.

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Photos: Courtesy of Lauren Zhou 

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