What is Organic Food?from HowStuffWorks.com In December 2000, the National Organic Standards Board of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established a national standard for the term "organic." Organic food must be produced without the use of sewer-sludge fertilizers, most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetic engineering (biotechnology), growth hormones, irradiation and antibiotics. A variety of agricultural products can be produced organically, including produce, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, and processed food products. "Organic" does not mean "natural." There is no legal definition as to what constitutes a "natural" food. However, the food industry uses the term "natural" to indicate that a food has been minimally processed and is preservative-free. Natural foods can include organic foods, but not all natural foods are organic. Only foods labeled "organic" have been certified as meeting USDA organic standards. So, is all Organic food certified? The label Organic is a legal term and cannot technically be used unless the farm is certified by the government. However, some farmers, including many of those participating in this online market, have chosen to adhere to organic standards without certifying. Reasons for not certifying vary, but can include the cost of certification as well as the amount of time it takes for documentation and record keeping to maintain certification. We encourage you to check out the growing practices of the farmers here by going to "Meet the Food-Makers" on our homepage. For more information, including a map of Massachusetts Organic farms, see the website of NOFA-MA, www.nofamass.org. |
