What is "Organic"?

"Organic agriculture as “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, which is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.”

USDA National Organic Standards Board definition

Organic food has been grown by working with nature rather than against it, by recycling natural materials to maintain soil fertility and encouraging natural methods of pest and disease control rather than relying on chemical pesticides and fungicides. Organic can also mean caring for the earth and caring for each other with respectful relationships.

When you buy something with the word "organic" on it you can be confident that it was produced without using

• chemical pesticides
• antibiotics, growth hormones, or synthetic parasite controls
• fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge
• bioengineering
• ionizing radiation

Organic farming emphasizes the use of

• renewable resources
• diverse crops and crop rotations
• humane animal husbandry, access to the outdoors, adequate space
• the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations

What is "Certified Organic?"

In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Food Production Act, a piece of comprehensive legislation that established National Standards for organic production and handling. This legislation also established the National Organic Program (NOP) to enforce and administer the standards.

Before a product can be labeled "organic," a government-approved certifier annually inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Organic farmers all follow a detailed farm plan designed to meet organic certification standards.

Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too. These companies' facilities are also inspected and certified each year to ensure the organic standards are met.

If you have more questions about what organic means, the USDA National Organic Program website has a great one page explanation. Click this link to visit it! http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/brochure.html

It should be noted that the terms “natural” and “organic” are not interchangeable. The USDA defines “natural” as a product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed.