Is It Really Organic and What Does That Mean Anyway?

Before you go out and buy a bunch of organic foods blindly, let’s really sit down and talk about what organic means.

According to Wikipedia organic foods are “Foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.”

Labeling for products that meet the USDA-NOP standards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So organic food leaves out the things I talked about a couple of posts back. Organic foods are void of pesticides and fertilizers. They aren’t irradiated or processed chemically - all important stuff.

However, the word “organic” is not a legal term in the United States, so sometimes it seems quite meaningless. In the United States, the legal term for organic food is “Certified Organic.” Food can be certified by the USDA when it meets certain conditions set out by the National Organic Program (NOP)  (http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ORGANIC_CERTIFICATION). (Other countries have their own labeling and certification specifications.)

Certified Organic produce must be grown using organic methods without chemical pesticides, genetically modified ingredients or petroleum or sewage-based fertilizers. It also can’t be processed with irradiation or contain prohibitive preservatives.

Certified Organic livestock must not be given antibiotics or growth hormones. They also need to have access to the outdoors.

When it comes to processed Certified Organic foods, 95% of the ingredients must be grown organically to contain the seal. But if a label says it is “made with organic ingredients,” it only needs to be made of 70-95% organic ingredients.

Food that bears this certification seal is generally thought to provide the consumer protection, but it’s not without its critics. Critics are concerned that the regulations deal with the way the food is grown, but offer no guarantee of the quality of the product. There are also reports that the certification standards are lacking and that includes a 2010 report from the Inspector General (http://www.cornucopia.org/USDA/OIG_AuditofNOP.pdf).

So what does this all mean for the consumer?

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Products, especially non-food items, can be labeled as organic, but don’t necessarily meet the appropriate guidelines. Non-food products are not subject to the Certified Organic standards.

2. The guidelines may not be enforced properly, causing some foods to be labeled as Certified Organic when they really shouldn’t be.

3. Food that is organic may not actually be certified because the grower chooses not to get certified or isn’t able to get certified because they produce less than $5000 in products each year. (However, many small farmers still use organic methods to grow their produce, even if they don't choose to get certified. The best way to know this is to get to know your local farmers, and ask them! Many even offer tours or farm visits so you can see how your food is grown. Visit a local farmers market and start making connections.)

What can you do?

Given all these potential problems with organic labeling, it’s natural to wonder if it’s all worth it. The key is to read labels and be aware of word play. Stating things like “made with organic ingredients” is a typical way of making something sound good, when it may not be quite what it seems.  Above all, know where your food is coming from, buy locally and do your homework. You can find some more helpful tips on this at http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.

Eight Reasons Why Eating Organic is Important

Guest Post by Grace Simpson.

It seems like everyone is talking about organic foods like it’s some kind of buzz word or status symbol. I suppose for some, it might be. But for many of us, it’s a way of life that takes us back to a more natural way of living and farming. One that has been destroyed by the machine food production has become today.

Now, I don’t mean to sound like one of those doom and gloom, anti-establishment types. I don’t disparage anyone for choosing the foods that they do. Sometimes it’s an economic necessity. Other times it’s simply not having enough information about what’s really going on with our food. Sometimes it’s just apathy.

“Science may have found a cure for most evils; but we have found no remedy for the worst of them all, the apathy of human beings.”
~ Helen Keller

I’m not sure what I can do about the apathetic, but for people like you who may have budgeting obstacles or are trying to find more information about what’s going into your bodies, I am here to help.

So the first natural question is…Why go organic?

Organic eating has a number of benefits and here are just a few of them:

Organic certification (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Organic produce is free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Even if you wash your produce, you cannot remove all these harmful chemicals that can affect your nervous system, cause cancer and more.  Also consider that conventional farming which uses harmful chemicals can contribute to the contamination of our water supply, so by supporting organic growers, you are also supporting a cleaner water supply for all.

2. While some people may not be quite as concerned, eating organic can help you avoid foods that have been irradiated. Government bodies tout the irradiation process as helpful in reducing harmful bacteria, preventing spoilage and increasing shelf life of foods. However, irradiation reduces the nutritional value of your foods and there is growing concern by researchers that the process may not be as safe as previously thought.

3. Avoidance of genetically modified foods or GMOs (genetically modified organisms). While huge biotechnology companies like Monstanto will have you believing that they are increasing the viability of crop growing, there are long-term dangers in GMOs that have caused them to be banned by much of Europe and Japan.

4. Organic livestock is fed its natural diet, rather than potentially contaminated grains, antibiotics and hormones. This is in contrast to conventionally-raised livestock that get hormones to help them grow faster and antibiotics are given en masse as a preventative measure to illness. The scary thing is that this preventative measure may be necessary given the poor hygienic conditions of the animals. Organically grown animals are raised more humanely and more naturally, eliminating the need for these potentially dangerous situations for both livestock and humans.

5. Organic growing contributes to improved soil quality. A lot of people don’t realize it, but our soils are so depleted that we no longer get the nutrients we did from our foods a few decades ago. In order to obtain the certified organic label from the USDA, soil must be free of prohibited chemicals for three years and the increased soil quality is a necessary goal for organic farmers. (To learn more about a variety of soil studies, check out http://www.ota.com/organic/benefits/soil.html )

6. Organic farming is more wildlife friendly. From animals to plant species, a more natural ecology is supported through organic methods. There are many studies supporting this including a study from the University of Oxford that found that there is increased biodiversity on organically farmed land.

Eco symbol used to promote organic, locally grown food (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

7. Buying organic allows you to support your local economy and farmers. This is good for you because you get fresher (and therefore more nutritious and tasty) foods, and it also reduces the pollution that results from food transport. (Here's a short video on why to eat local.)

There are so many reasons to go organic and this post touches on just a few of them. But here’s the most immediate one that just about everyone can really appreciate.

8. Organic foods simply taste better. This is real food, free of all unnecessary human interventions and inventions. It’s nature’s perfection and once you try it, you probably won’t want to go back to your other options. 

Of course, this still leaves the issue of cost and how organic food can seem unaffordable to many families today. Well, that is exactly what we’ll be talking about in my next post....


Related Resources:
 

How to Know If You Are Buying Organic Foods

Are you interested in making the switch to organic foods?  If you are, you may start shopping organically soon.  When it comes to doing so, there are many new eaters who wonder how they can tell if they are buying organic foods or not.  Although this question is commonly asked, it is relatively easy to make sure that you are buying truly organic foods.

Image via WikipediaOne important point that many do not take into consideration is the strict standards that are associated with the making and selling of organic foods.  Companies claiming to sell fully organic foods should do so with the backing of Quality Assurance International (QAI) or the USDA (other countries will also have their own form of organic labeling for certified organic foods).  When shopping, be sure to look for certified organic labels.  All food that meets industry standards should be labeled properly. This is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure that you are buying organic food.

Another easy way that you can make sure that you are buying organic foods is by carefully choosing the stores that you shop at.  If you have access to a specialty organic or natural food store, you are urged to shop there.  Locally owned and operated stores are often smaller in size; therefore, you should be able to ask any question or speak with a manager if you have any concerns, which is a nice option for many to have.  With that being said, you shouldn’t have any problems, as most specialty stores go out of their way to ensure that they are only selling one hundred percent natural, organic foods.

Image via WikipediaThe internet can also be used to shop for organic foods, but you will want to be cautious of online grocery stores that sell a wide range of foods.  This can sometimes make it more difficult for you to find and buy organic foods.  For that reason, you may want to stick with specialty online organic food stores.  You can also examine many organic product manufacturers, as some, like Earth’s Best Organic, have online stores where their products are sold.  These online websites and stores can easily be found with a standard internet search.

As previously stated, a nice and safe way to shop for organic food locally is by visiting a specialty organic or natural food store.  If you do not have access to one of those stores and if you do not want to shop online, you can examine your local supermarkets or grocery stores.  Most do sell organic foods, but usually only a limited number.  What you will want to do is look for an organic food section.  This can help to make sure that you are buying organic foods.  With that in mind, be cautious of your surroundings and be on the lookout for out of place foods, as they may not be organic, just dropped by a customer who no longer wanted the item in question.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many that you can take to make sure that you are buying 100% organic foods.  The good news is that these steps are all easy to implement. And be sure to read labels of any processed foods - be on the lookout for foods that claim to have organic ingredients, as they may not be truly organic products, with just a small percentage of organic ingredients in them.

How to Buy Organic Foods

Are you looking to improve your health?  If you are, you may want to start by switching to organic foods.  Organic foods are known for being all natural.  Organic foods differ from many of the other foods available for sale in grocery stores, as there are no artificial additives (aka toxins) added to natural, organic foods.  That is why many believe that eating organic foods can help to improve their health.

Image via WikipediaIf this is your first time looking to eat organic foods or if you are looking to make a full switch to eating organically, you may be unsure as to where you can purchase your foods from.  After a close examination, you will see that you have a number of different options.  In fact, many individuals are surprised when they see just how easy it is to find and buy all natural organic foods.

Before covering a few of the many places where organic foods can be found available for sale, it is first important that you know what to look for.  For one hundred percent natural, organic foods, it is important to search for the certified organic label or sticker.  These labels and stickers are often prominently displayed on organic foods.  When you see these certified organic stickers or labels, you know that what are buying is “truly,” organic.  In fact, manufacturers cannot claim that their foods are organic unless they meet specific standards.

Image by brian glanz via FlickrAs for where you can find organic foods for sale, one of the most common (and absolute best) places that organic foods are purchased from is locally.  When looking to shop locally for organic foods, you should have a number of different options.  The best place to start is at your local farmer's market - foods here are the freshest (often harvested that very day), and many times you can find them at a great price. Be sure to ask if they are organic or not, as not all local farmers grow organically. CSA programs are cropping up everywhere lately, so see if you can find a CSA in your area, as many of these use certified organic growing practices, and you can actually save quite a bit of money.

Another option is supermarkets or grocery stores.  Most have an organic food section.  Depending on the supermarket in question, this organic food section can be quite small, but a large number of products are often featured.  You just may not have as many product brands to choose from.  (We still recommend you look for locally grown, however, if at all possible.)

Another way that you can go about finding organic foods for sale locally is by visiting an organic food store, also commonly referred to as a natural food store.  These are stores that specialize solely in the selling of all natural, organic foods.  Although many individuals find it easier to shop for organic foods at a grocery store or supermarket, as it can sometimes be more convenient to do so, specialty food stores are increasing popularity.  Now, many large cities and towns have them.  If you do have access to a specialty organic food store, consider shopping there, as you are likely to find the largest selection of products with reasonable prices.

As nice as it is to shop locally, you may not have a specialty organic food store to shop at or you may be unimpressed with the selection of organic foods at your local grocery stores.  If that is the case, you can also shop online.  There are a number of organic food stores that can be found online, with a standard internet search.  These food stores often sell organic foods from a number of different companies or brands.  There are also a number of organic food manufacturers that sell their own brands online.

In keeping with shopping online for organic foods, you may be surprised with what you can find available for sale.  In fact, many individuals mistakenly believe that shopping online for organic foods limits their selection of products, but it doesn’t have to.  For example, Earth’s Best Organic specializes in food designed for babies and small children.  They offer organic baby formula, organic first foods, and organic meals and snacks for toddlers and preschoolers.  Diamond Organic, which is based out of California, carries a wide range of organic foods, including fresh vegetables.  It is also possible to find and buy frozen organic dinners online as well.

As highlighted above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about buying organic foods, both on and offline.  We happen to believe it is very important to shop from local farmers if at all possible. This way you are not only supporting your own family's health, but also the health of your local community, and the planet as a whole. (For more ideas on finding locally grown foods, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.)

Organic Baby Food: A Buying Guide

As you may already know, there are a number of benefits to eating organic foods.  To reap the most benefits, organic food should be consumed as often as possible, for as much of your diet as you can, to minimize toxins in your body.  What does this mean for parents?  It means that organic food consumption should start with baby food. 

Image via WikipediaIf you just recently made the decision to integrate organic foods into your family meals, you may be looking for more information on organic foods for babies.  If so, you will want to continue reading on.  A few tips to help you get started with feeding your baby organic foods are highlighted below.

As previously stated, there are a number of benefits to eating organic foods.  These benefits include pesticide and chemical free foods.  These types of foods are even more important for babies and other small children, who need the best and healthiest building blocks in order to build healthy bodies as they grow.  In fact, there are now a number of professional healthcare providers who recommend to their patients that they feed their babies organic baby foods.  Many believe that eliminating potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides can help to promote healthy growth and good behavior in small children. 

Image via WikipediaWhen it comes to buying organic baby food, you will find that you can shop both locally and online.  Regardless of where you shop, it is important to look for certified organic foods.  These foods often have a specific label, which should be the same for all organic foods, no matter what the brand.  The United States does not allow a manufacturer to claim that their products are completely organic, unless they truly are.  That is why you should look for certified organic labels before making an organic baby food purchase.

As previously stated, organic baby food can be purchased both locally and online.  For many parents, they prefer to shop locally, as it is convenient to do.  Many supermarkets now carry a small selection of organic baby foods.  This means that parents can buy food for their babies while doing the rest of their shopping.  This is very convenient for many parents.  With that being said, you are often only presented with a limited selection of organic baby foods.  This can be difficult when looking to “spice,” up the foods that your child eats.  Also, examine stores that specialize in the selling of natural, organic foods.

As for shopping online for organic baby food, you can also find many more selections here.  As organic foods steadily increase in popularity, there are a number of online stores that sell organic foods, including organic baby food.  These websites can be found with a standard internet search.  To help get you started, Earth’s Best Organic, Diamond Organics, and Sweatpea Baby Foods all sell organic baby food.  Additional online stores and product manufacturers can be found with a standard internet search.  When looking to shop online, you may find it easier to search for the best prices.

When looking to purchase organic baby foods, especially online, look for foods that are convenient.  For example, there is a company that is known as Baby Cubes.  They sell cubes of frozen vegetables and fruits that are certified organic.  This is ideal if you must do your shopping online.  The ability to freeze organic baby foods and in safe containers can reduce the number of online orders that you have to make on a weekly or biweekly basis. 

In addition to buying organic baby food, many parents choose to make their own.  There are a number of books and online websites that highlight ways that baby food can easily be made at home.  (See below for a few articles and resources on this.) When following these recipes, just be sure to use organic fruits and vegetables.  As a reminder many supermarkets, specialty stores, and some farmer’s markets sell organic fruits and vegetables.  (And we love our CSA, for the freshest local organic food around!) When you start with fresh organic foods, you can rather easily and cheaply provide your baby with homemade organic baby food, which many claim is the best type of food to feed growing babies.

Related Articles on Organic Baby Food:

• Making organic food for baby and toddlers (greenlivingonline.com)
• How and Why To Make Homemade Baby Food (babyminding.com)
• The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet Book Review and Giveaway (momblognetwork.com)
• Homemade Baby Food: A Guide to Making and Storing It (webmd.com)

Organic Baby Food Resources: