New year, new you? In a bid to rid our bodies of the post-Christmas toxins an increasing number of people are opting to switch to an organic diet. Organic fruit and vegetables is given its own section in supermarkets as if it’s too cool to hang with the regular tomatoes and bananas. Even organic meat sits proudly on its own. Flagged up in green with isolating prices to boot, we all know it’s different – but do we really know why? What does it all mean? What are the benefits? And where can you buy organic food in Wimbledon? SW19 reports

The master plan behind the organic idea is to produce good food from a balanced living soil as it is recognised that a healthy environment significantly benefits crops and the health of those consuming them.

Policed by strict regulations, farmers must stick to a certain criteria in order for their food to be deemed organic. These standards place strong emphasis on protecting the environment – and producing better quality grub from healthier soil.

"Increasingly the arguments in favour of organic food are becoming stronger," says Colliers Wood-based Riverford organic food distributor Simon Harrop. "A recent investigation conducted by Newcastle University as part of the EU-funded Quality Low Input Food project found that organic fruit and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants than non-organic varieties."

Crop rotations make the soil more fertile, for example allowing sheep to graze in a field for a year then planting wheat in the same field directly afterwards. Genetically modifying crops is forbidden and, as a last resort, organic farmers are only permitted to use seven of the hundreds of pesticides available. The real organic sticklers, the Soil Association, only allow the use of four. They advise regularly moving animals to fresh pasture, which can help organic farmers prevent the parasite problems pesticides are frequently used to control.

Ok, so we now know it’s raised in healthy soil and the animals aren’t drugged with pesticides – but does organic food taste any better?

According to the Soil Association the answer is yes. It claims "More people buy organic food because they believe it tastes better than non-organic. This could be because organic fruit and vegetables tend to grow more slowly and have a lower content."

And is it actually better for us?

It’s GM- and additive-free. Organic farmers are forbidden from using the majority of pesticides and only 32 of the 290 food additives approved for use across the EU are permitted in organic food, according to the Soil Association.

Did you know?

According to new research, feeding children organic diary products (and consuming them yourselves, mum) cuts your child’s chance of contracting eczema. A recent scientific study revealed that the incidence of eczema in infants fed on organic dairy products, and whose mothers also consumed organic dairy products, is 36% lower than in children who consume conventional dairy products, according to the Soil Association.

[sub head] Where can I buy organic food in Wimbledon?

Riverford Organic Vegetables

Riverford Organic Vegetables is an organic box scheme available to Wimbledon residents, supplying fresh organic vegetables direct to your door from Riverford Farm in Devon. Simon Harrop, the local distributor based in Colliers Wood, established Riverford home delivery in Merton and Sutton in early 2006 – and the business is going from strength to strength.

"At Riverford we grow what goes in our boxes helping us to reduce the time it takes from the field to your kitchen table, which I believe improves taste and health benefits. The lack of supply chain also keeps our prices competitive – we believe that organic food should be available to all," says Harrop.

"My customers in Wimbledon really care about what they eat. More than 50% of new customers come from word of mouth recommendations – this has been particularly true for me in Wimbledon. They appreciate knowing where their food has come from and that they can speak to me if they have any issues or want information about their delivery."

Riverford Organic Vegetables, 34 Denison Road SW19

Abel and Cole

Keith Abel founded Abel & Cole with Paul Cole. In the late eighties the pair could be seen selling potatoes door-to-door in south east London but in 1991 they decided to supply only organic vegetables and Abel & Cole was born.

A small box of mixed fruit and vegetables from Abel & and Cole costs £10 whereas a family-sized box to feed four or five costs £22. The huge selection of meats, fish, and dairy products (you can even buy breakfast, soup and alcohol) is definitely worth a browse online and if you buy you can customise your Abel & Cole box with smiley and unhappy faces indicating your likes and dislikes. And your weekly delivery comes with an insightful newsletter and organic recipes for you to try at home.

Bayley & Sage

Bayley & Sage opened in Wimbledon Village in 1997 and its policy is to provide locals with "natural, unprocessed foods," says the shop’s buyer Andy Charman. While Bayley & Sage isn’t an organic shop they do stock a wealth of organic products including fruit and vegetables, meat, bread, dairy products, tea and coffee. "If you were a person so inclined to buy everything organic you could do all your shopping here," Charman explains. Sourcing products locally, or at least from the UK, is an important ethic for Bayley & Sage who place their emphasis on local, unprocessed British produce – much of which is organic.

Bayley & Sage

60 High Street SW19 (020 8946 9904; www.bayley-sage.co.uk)

The Big Green Market

Coming soon to Wimbledon is The Big Green Market, coining themselves "the market with a conscience." The Big Green Market is a travelling market bringing

fairtrade and ethically traded goods, locally made crafts and foods, and organically produced and eco friendly goods into the UK's towns and cities.

For more information visit http://www.biggreenmarket.co.uk or http://www.wimbledontowncentre.co.uk