What is Organic?

Chemical-derived pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides are not used to cultivate organic food. Instead, organic farms use natural and holistic methods such as compost, crop rotation, and biological agents to produce fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and meat over a natural period of time. Organic food products are minimally processed, contain no artificial additives or preservatives, and organic milk, meat or poultry is free of hormones and antibiotics. Crop diversity is typically a distinct characteristic of organic farming, but may not be the case on today's industrial organic farms.

Did you know that pesticides and fertilizers sprayed across conventional farms are primarily made from fossil fuels like petroleum? After cars, the food system uses more fossil fuel than any other sector of the economy, and 28% of the energy used in non-organic agriculture goes to fertilizer manufacturing.

So essentially, consuming organic means we keep pesticides out of our bodies, support farms that keep harmful chemicals out of the ground, and we also happen to decrease our dependence on oil.

Keep in mind there are many organic certifiers, but to be sold in the U.S. they have to be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Look for these USDA approved label variations:

- 100% organic

- Organic—made with at least 95% organic materials

- Made with Organic Ingredients—the product is at least 70% organic

- Contains Organic Ingredients—less than 70% organic ingredients

The Environmental Working Group explains labeling seafood "organic" is misleading because the USDA has not yet developed organic certification standards for such water-bound fare. For consumers weary of paying a premium for organic items, the Environmental Working Group compiled a list of 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide concentration levels on conventional farms, and advises us to at least buy these items organic whenever possible. This includes apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries. And check out this great roundup of must-eat-organic foods from Planet Green.

When the U.S. government officially approved standards for organic food, a number of farmers dropped their organic certification because they felt the label had been co-opted by big business. Many of these farmers raise their animals and crops using methods as strict as or stricter than the USDA organic standards. Some call these farms "Beyond USDA Organic". Ask your farmers questions about their practices at the market to find out what you're getting.

Read the next page "What is Conventional Food?"