Mr Organic comes calling

“Who's Mr Organic? It's me. Also known as Dave Friend.'' I saw the edges of his lips twitch, mocking me.

OK, I shall rephrase that milord. What does Mr Organic do? This time, the smile was real. “Mr Organic is an educator who helps people in organic farming, management and marketing.''

We were at the Organic Foods & Café in Dubai, with which Friend is associated in creating environmental awareness.

He also runs a company in Canada, which is based in Vancouver, called Friendly Organics.

The company converts people's gardens into organic patches, organises gastronomic and educational tours for adults and children to various organic farms and guides supermarkets regarding organic produce.

“I mostly work with children — catching them young, you know,'' he says.

“We organise presentations and projects for students — from pre-schoolers to university. We also educate them regarding the bigger environmental picture — about the three Rs (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse), especially in UAE schools.''

On being asked how many and which schools he has been working with in the UAE, he simply says “most of them'' only because he “doesn't wish to miss out mentioning any''.

“My main aim is to make organisations, not just educational institutes, more environment-friendly. The Organics Foods & Café, as the name suggests, brings and serves organic produce and products from all over the world,'' Friend says.

The company is now preparing to create recycled paper products — to be used and sold. “It is a difficult task but I think we shall be able to work something out soon.''

Broader perspective

But given the UAE's climate, though there has been great progress in agriculture over the years, the yield is small.

How does Friend suggest organic farming here? Won't greenhouse cultivation take a toll on the environment? Moreover, isn't import of organic products increasing the price of these as compared to conventional foods?

“You're right,'' he agrees.

“In this arid climate, it's very difficult to sustain vegetation, unless done in a greenhouse. But it's not impossible. Except for the two hottest months, it is possible to grow a number of fruits and vegetables here. What cultivation needs is shade and water."

"We don't need to use plastic to create a greenhouse. I suggest we use layers of canvas and cloth. Yes, it would take a lot of time, money and effort."

"And we would lose out on some but then there will be some that will survive and those are the ones we would need to maintain."

As for the cost of organic products being more than conventional ones, he sits up all charged.

“Why do you forget the fact that organic farming is more labour intensive and time consuming? It doesn't provide a fast yield, nor do the farmers have access to chemicals to kill pests or increase yield unlike conventional farmers,'' he says.

Yet organic food is true cost and provides higher nutritional value.

“In the past 30 years, our incomes have doubled, yet the household income spent on food has decreased from 22 per cent to a mere 5 per cent. Why? Because at that time, people were eating produce farmed the natural way,'' Friend says.

With the variety available in the market, how does one know whether what he is buying is organic or conventional?

“You ask. Stores will label produce that is organic. But if it isn't labelled, you ask a store helper.''

And if the store helper is unaware?

“Then you call his supervisor. If he cannot give you an answer, call the manager, or his superior, till you get an answer and then decide whether you wish to buy healthy or go for a conventional product,'' he said.

I don't know how helpful that advice is but it will at least make people check what they are filling in their supermarket trolleys.

A great listener

When he is not teaching people to eat healthy, Friend is helping them relax. He runs a persuasion relaxation programme.

“Oh, I may be a good talker but I am a very good listener too. I guess that's what people find endearing. I just try to help them de-stress and slow down through exercise and breathing techniques,'' he says.

“The programme has been a success. I have helped people solve problems in relationships.''

Mission plan

Mr Organic often visits Dubai and organises talks in schools, universities and social clubs about health and lifestyle benefits of choosing organic food over mass-processed food.

He is also educating people about growing food naturally and organically without harmful, chemical-based sprays. He is setting up projects in schools, helping students create their own gardens.

Students begin by planting organic seeds in small pots (usually recycled cups) in the classroom, “nursing'' the plants and then transplanting them into the newly created “organic food garden'' within the school grounds.

Educational visits to and guided tours of the Greens and Satwa branches of Organic Foods & Café can also be arranged. He can be seen at the stores, wearing the ‘Mr Organic' badge.

For a free presentation, institutes/clubs may contact him by e-mail at dave@organicfoodsandcafé.com or call at 050 457 9394.