What is organic food?

According to the USDA, Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.

Organic food such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.

Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

Before a product can be labeled ‘organic food,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.

 Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

You can find out more here: Consumer Brochure, USDA National Organic Program

Do Organic Foods Taste Better

Than Other Foods?

Absolutely. When someone tastes an organic tomato next to a regular, commercially grown tomato, the first thing they say is, “Wow!” The difference is amazing. The organic tomato has a natural lusciousness, it’s succulent, it’s juicy, and it’s sweeter. There’s a sweeter taste to it.



General Nutrition: Do organic foods taste better than other foods?

How are Organic Foods Good

for the Environment?

It’s a system that replenishes the soil. It takes into account every aspect of growth of the animals that are raised on that property. Everything is utilized. The animals are utilized to fertilize the soil, the soil is replenished on an ongoing basis. The crops are rotated, the cattle are moved, or the animals are moved to different places in the ecosystem that’s created.



General Nutrition: How are organic foods good for the environment?

How do I Know if a Food is Organic?

If a food is certified organic, it is labeled as certified organic. Otherwise you may not know. For example, a lot of farmers may grow food organically. You have to get to know them for example at some of the farmer’s markets. You won’t always know because they aren’t certified organic. It cost a lot to be certified organic.



General Nutrition: How do I know if a food is organic?

Are Organic Foods a Healthier Alternative?

Eating organic foods is considered a healthy choice because you’re not dealing with pesticides, herbicides, genetic modification of the foods. It is pure food growing, in healthier soils. It’s done in a way that where the crops are rotated, and this allows the soils to become replenished.



General Nutrition: Are organic foods a healthier alternative to other foods?