All About Organic
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1. What does organic really mean?
Broadly defined, organic is a method of farming and gardening that relies on natural systems and products, and is free of virtually all synthetic and toxic chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides. The United States Department of Agriculture has strict regulations farmers must follow to be certified organic.
Here’s what certified organic is not: chemical fertilizers and pesticides, GMO seeds, biosolids (sewer sludge), or irradiated food. Certified organic meat, eggs and dairy are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. They are produced in environments where animals are fed 100 percent organic feeds and have access to outdoors and pasture.
More questions on organic answered.
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2. What’s better, organic or local?
These food movements stem from the same hopes: to give consumers the freshest, most nutritious foods that directly support family farmers and local economies.
Buying local provides an opportunity to know your farmers and see their practices first hand—many do grow by organic methods and aren’t certified, but some do not. When buying food not raised in your region, USDA organic certification is a sound way to be assured of growing practices.
Choose organic if you want to reduce farmer and consumer exposure to toxic chemicals and negative effects on the environment and wildlife. The more local the organic purchase, the more you will support the economy and natural systems (land, air, water, biodiversity) where you live. Local can be good, but organic is great and local organic is the ideal.
Read our story of a family farm making the double transition to local and organic
NPR reports how organic foods sold locally connect consumers and customers.
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3. Can organic farming feed the world?
YES! Organic farming can feed the world and it’s our best option for providing healthy food for everyone while improving the environment. Organic farming also improves the quality of life for people, particularly in developing countries. Despite all the resources and trade advantages given to chemical based agriculture, the U.N. estimates that about 1 billion people are malnourished or starving in today’s world.
When political and economic powers choose to make feeding people—and not just producing crops—a priority, organic systems have many advantages. For example, organic systems:
- increase soil quality, water retention and crop nutrition.
- use composts and reuse seeds so farmers have fewer expenses each planting season.
- re-integrate crops and livestock in ways that help the plants and animals to do better.
- expand employment opportunities in growing, processing and marketing
- encourages diversity by expanding the number of crops grown on each farm so if one crop has a bad season, no one goes hungry.
Organic methods are the best way to help the people of the world to feed themselves in ways that bring the most benefit to the producing communities (be they rural, suburban or urban), and the environment.
Read more:
United Nations: Organic farming can feed Africa
If we chose to feed the world, organic farming is the way to go
UN Food and Agriculture Organization supports organic agriculture
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4. How does organic farming reduce everyone’s carbon footprint?
Organic farming has two advantages over chemical-intensive farming when it comes to mitigating climate change:
1. The pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used by chemical farming practices are manufactured, shipped and applied with fossil fuels. By not using these additives, organic uses far less fossil fuels, and thus has fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
2. All plants take CO2 from the air (where it can be harmful at excessive levels) and, through photosynthesis, store it in the soil (where it does good) in a process known as biological carbon sequestration. Organically farmed soil holds more carbon than chemically farmed soil.
Organic farming not only uses fewer petroleum-based chemicals, but even captures and stores CO2 in a safe place, so it’s a major tool for cooling our climate.
Read more:
In the production of Tropicana’s Pure Premium orange juice, the largest source of C02 emissions is the production and application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer! That’s more than production, packaging and transportation.
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5. How is organic healthier for people and the planet?
For people: Organic farmers do not spray the usual conventional pesticides to kill insects and weeds, which have been linked to wide-spread human health impacts such as birth defects, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, such as allergies and asthma, and some cancers. Not only does going organic decrease the risks, many studies have shown greater nutrient density in organic foods, and higher levels of polyunsaturated fats (the good fats) in grass-based, organic livestock.
Read more:
A pocket guide for reducing pesticide dietary exposure
Even ultra-low levels of pesticide residue cause changes
Grass fed meats are better for you
For the planet: Hundreds of synthetic chemicals used in conventional farming, and virtually excluded from organic production, have a wide range of negative impacts on our environment, even when used as directed. They degrade soil health, limit biodiversity, pollute water systems, drift to non-sprayed areas and are causing worsening weed and pest problems as they become resistant to the current chemicals. These chemicals poison all life on our planet.
Read more:
Secret weapon for a cooler planet: farms
Pesticides threaten our water supply
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6. How is organic different from natural?
In the United States, products bearing the “USDA certified organic” label come through a detailed and comprehensive production process that is inspected on the farm, then verified as meeting all requirements by a third-party certifier accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All phases from field to processing to retail handling are covered.
By contrast, the term “natural” may be used by anyone without any reference to quality rules. Its only technical application is a voluntary post-harvest processing standard, but it has no inspection or other quality assurance system. If this provision is used, the label should explain what “natural” means in the specific product labeled. So the “natural” label may not really mean much.
Read More:
The USDA National Organic Program’s organic labeling and marketing
The differences between organic products and those with a “natural” label
Comprehensive standards and inspection separate organic from “natural”
How the certified organic seal and the “natural” label are confusing customers
The “natural” label doesn’t necessarily mean healthier or safer
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7. Why does organic cost more?
It costs more to raise better crops and livestock, in general. Organic farmers work within rules based on the sustainability of natural systems. They can’t use chemical and GMO (genetically modified organisms) shortcuts that help to make non-organic crops cheaper to bring to market, even though they have devastating costs to human and environmental health.
Carefully auditing organic growing, handling and processing rules take more care and effort. While it continues to grow as a share of all food sold in the U.S., organic products are only about 2.5% percent of the U.S. food market, and have far fewer economies of scale than non-organic food. Expanding production of organic food through home and community gardens and buying from local organic farmers is helping to meet this supply-and-demand challenge.
Read More:
Why it may cost us more NOT to eat organic
How to go organic on a budget
Rich People Need Organic Food to Survive, Right?
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8. Is organic just about food or farming?
Organic is about more than just food! The products we use in our homes, personal care products, and the clothes we wear can all be organic. The US National Organic Program also certifies natural care products, plant fibers (cotton), livestock and alcoholic beverages if they’re grown and processed according to the national standards. Choosing these products is another way to decrease your exposure to harmful chemicals.
Find safe, eco-friendly personal care products with the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic database
Make The Good Guide your guide to finding safe, healthy, green products.
Why Organic is worth it for clothing, too!
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9. How can I find organic produce wherever I am?
Many organic farms and retail spots that carry organic items have registered with Local Harvest so you can find a nearby location. Or search local food directories. The national grocery store Whole Foods reliably carries organic produce and products.
Organic foods and products are also sold to consumers online through sources like Diamond Organics and Door to Door Organics. Amazon.com also carries organic items.
Last but not least—if your local stores don’t carry organics, ask for it!
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10. What are some trustworthy sources where I can learn more?
The Rodale Institute has news about organic farming—the latest research, practical advice, and government policy updates.
Rodale.com is the go-to place for news about “where health meets green.”
The Organic Authority covers organic living from many perspectives.
The Environmental Working Group provides news and research findings on the benefits of organic farming for people and the environment.
The Organic Center creates research reviews on organic farming and food.
The Organic Consumers Association is a “watchdog” group dedicated to fighting for the integrity of organics
The Organic Trade Association provides broad outreach and market reporting from the industry perspective.
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11. Why demand organic?
Real people share their real reasons for demanding organic. Watch now. |
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