The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Also Good For The Environment

Morocco Gold’s Commitment To Sustainable Extra Virgin Olive Oil Production

^{Updated May 25th 2024}

Why Should We Care About Sustainable Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

In recent years, the quest for sustainability has reached new heights, influencing our choices in nearly every aspect of life—especially food. Among the many products embraced by eco-conscious consumers, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) stands out for its health benefits and culinary versatility. But not all olive oils are created equal, particularly when it comes to sustainability.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into what makes an extra virgin olive oil sustainably produced. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or a sustainability advocate, understanding these nuances can help you make more informed choices that benefit your health and the planet.

Key Factors for Sustainable Olive Oil Production

1. Organic Farming Practices

One of the critical indicators of sustainable olive oil is the use of organic farming practices. These methods avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which can contaminate soil and water sources. Instead, organic farmers use natural alternatives like compost and beneficial insects to manage pests and enrich the soil.

Why It Matters: Organic farming reduces harmful chemical runoff, promotes soil health, and enhances biodiversity, making it a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture.

2. Water Management

Water is a precious resource, and its management is crucial in olive farming. Sustainable producers employ techniques such as drip irrigation, which minimizes water waste, and rainwater harvesting systems to reduce dependency on external water sources.

Why It Matters: Efficient water management helps conserve water, ensuring the long-term viability of olive farming in regions prone to drought.

3. Biodiversity Preservation

Maintaining biodiversity within and around olive groves is another hallmark of sustainable production. This can include planting cover crops, maintaining hedgerows, and preserving wild areas within the farm.

Why It Matters: Biodiversity supports a balanced ecosystem, aiding in pest control and pollination while promoting the resilience of the farm.

4. Ethical Labor Practices

Sustainable olive oil production goes beyond environmental concerns to include social responsibility. Ethical labor practices ensure that workers are treated fairly, paid a living wage, and work in safe conditions.

Why It Matters: Sustainable food production should respect human rights, contributing to the well-being of the communities involved in the process.

5. Eco-friendly Packaging

The sustainability of olive oil doesn’t end with its production; packaging also plays a significant role. Producers increasingly use recyclable or biodegradable materials, and some even offer refillable options.

Why It Matters: Sustainable packaging reduces waste and the carbon footprint associated with the product’s lifecycle.

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s Sustainability Credentials

We created Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil for health conscious, discerning food lovers across all cultures and culinary backgrounds and made with care for the environment. When we speak with our customers at our tasting events they always ask about our source in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains as well as how it is produced. They care passionately about the taste, how high quality extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold has proven health benefits and increasingly the impact on the environment.

We were fascinated with a new study by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Minnesota that demonstrates foods that are considered to be healthy, such as whole-grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, also have the lowest environmental impact.

This extensive research by Michael A Clark, Marco Springmann, Jason Hill, and  David Tilman, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows that eating healthier also means eating more sustainably and reveals a clear link between healthy food and environmental sustainability.

Food choices are shifting globally in ways that are negatively affecting both human health and the environment. Here the researchers considered how consuming an additional serving per day of each of 15 foods key food groups is associated with 5 health outcomes in adults and 5 aspects of agriculturally driven environmental degradation.

Environmental Research Surrounding Extra Virgin Olive Oil Production

The researchers found that “while there is substantial variation in the health outcomes of different foods, foods associated with a larger reduction in disease risk for one health outcome are often associated with larger reductions in disease risk for other health outcomes. Likewise, foods with lower impacts on one metric of environmental harm tend to have lower impacts on others”.

Additionally, of the foods associated with improved health (whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish), all except fish have among the lowest environmental impacts, and fish has markedly lower impacts than red meats and processed meats. Foods associated with the largest negative environmental impacts—unprocessed and processed red meat—are consistently associated with the largest increases in disease risk.

Diet

For instance dietary transitions toward greater consumption of healthier foods would generally improve environmental sustainability. None the less processed foods high in sugars harm health but can have relatively low environmental impacts. These findings could help consumers, policy makers, and food companies to better understand the multiple health and environmental implications of food choices”.

As part of the study, the researchers examined the impact of consuming an additional serving per day of fifteen specific foods on five “health outcomes” in adults that are brought on by poor diets and account for nearly 40 percent of global mortality, specifically: mortality, type two diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, and colorectal cancer.

At the same time, the effects on five “aspects of agriculturally driven environmental degradation” were studied including greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, acidification and eutrophication (the last two are forms of nutrient pollution).

The foods included chicken, dairy, eggs, fish, fruits, legumes, nuts, olive oil, potatoes, processed red meat, refined grain cereals, sugar-sweetened beverages, unprocessed red meat, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals.

By comparing the five health and five environmental impacts of each food, the researchers determined that foods with the lowest environmental impacts often have the largest health benefits. Foods such as whole-grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish had the most positive impact on health while also having the lowest environmental impact (with the exception of fish).

Conversely, the foods with the largest environmental impacts, such as unprocessed and processed red meat were also associated with the highest risk of disease. Minimally processed, health-boosting plant foods and olive oil were found to have a low environmental impact, but so did processed foods high in sugar that are harmful to health, such as sugar-sweetened beverages.

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sets New Standards For Sustainability

Morocco Gold is a natural, unfiltered, ultra premium, polyphenol rich extra virgin olive oil. It’s exquisite taste and health enhancing qualities are guaranteed by our rigorous testing, provenance and authenticity, and strict adherence to single sourcing, with no blending or mixing.

As consumers in the UK and other markets are showing greater interest in healthy eating, lifestyles and wider wellbeing, provenance authenticity and high quality have become paramount. The exceptionally high quality of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is the result of care and attention to detail throughout the entire production process.

The specific soil conditions of the Beni Mellal region, together with the mild winters and summers, caressed by hot winds from the Sahara, make ideal growing conditions for Morocco Gold olives. The existence of centenary trees and traditional presses (maasras) testify to the longevity of olive cultivation in this area.

The Impact of Choosing Your Extra Virgin Olive Oil Wisely

Choosing sustainably produced extra virgin olive oil is a small but significant step toward an eco-friendlier lifestyle. By supporting producers who prioritize sustainability, you’re contributing to a system that values environmental health, ethical labor practices, and high-quality products.

As eco-conscious consumers, food enthusiasts, and sustainability advocates, our choices can drive meaningful change. By understanding what makes extra virgin olive oil sustainably produced, we can make informed decisions that benefit both our well-being and the planet.

So, the next time you’re shopping for olive oil, remember to consider the environmental and social impact of your purchase. Look for organic certifications, ethical labor practices, and eco-friendly packaging. Your choice matters.

Ready to make a change? Explore our range of sustainably produced extra virgin olive oils and elevate your culinary creations while caring for the planet.

For more insights on sustainable living and high-quality products, subscribe to our newsletter and join our community of like-minded individuals committed to making a difference.