Do You Know How to Define
Organic Foods?

How To Define Organic Foods

You'd think defining organic foods would be easy. At least I did when I started seeking out organic products to feed my family. But like so many things that seem simple at first glance, there's more to it than meets the eye.

Stumble It!

Here's a perfect example of what I mean. How does the government officially define organic food? With this statement which was adopted in 1995 by the National Organic Standards Board. It states:

"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on-farm management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

Great! So what does that mean in plain English?

A simple way to define organic foods is to say that farmers work in harmony with nature. Their primary strategy is prevention. By maintaining healthy soil they produce healthier plants that are better able to resist disease and insects.

Preferred methods of pest control are crop rotation, "host crops" to attract helpful insects and as an alternative food for the pesky bugs, bringing in other pests to eat the ones causing the trouble, disrupting mating with insect pheromones, or using traps and barriers.

Organic farmers expect a certain amount of their crop will be eaten by insects. They're completely OK with that. After all, the bugs gotta eat, too! And it's what biodiversity is all about. It's "the circle of life" in action.

Of course farmers are less thrilled when an entire crop is lost due to infestation or other challenges. These two events add to the cost of organic foods.

As for pesticides they would only be used as a last resort, and then only one that is approved by the farmers certifier. The USDA has a list of pesticides aproved for organic farming that include botanicals which are quickly broken down by oxygen and sunlight, and are non-polluting.

Did you know that the EPA now considers 60% of all conventional herbicides, 90% of all fungicides, and 30% of all insecticides as potentially cancer-causing?

A farmer can produce more food for less money using standard chemical pesticides which makes the foods cost less up-front. What an organic farmer understands, though is that what we save at the supermarket we pay for in other ways.With the health of our planet, ourselves and our loved ones being the highest potential price.

Does that sound extreme? I know I would have thought so before I could accurately define organic food. But stick around. There's plenty of information here for you to make up your own mind.

Controlling pests is important, but any farmer will tell you that the soil is what makes or breaks the organic farm. Creating a nourishing soil is an art form. It takes careful thought and planning to be sure that the nutrients are there in the right combinations for each crop to grow and thrive. Each harvest takes its toll on the earth, and used nutrients need to be replenished.

Enter "organic matter." Organic matter consists of high quality compost from plants and manure. Cover crops like alfalfa, grass, legumes and many others depending on the location and what crop will be sown, are grown and then tilled back into the soil to assist this process. Natural minerals and crop rotation are also used. Farmers are able to adjust the pH of the soil with sulfur and limestone.

And let's not forget the earthworms and other microorganisms that aerate and enrich the soil. Here's a fun project to do with your kids in the spring:

"Earthworms and other soil organisms eat old pieces of plants or food scraps and turn them into natural plant food called vermicompost (worm compost).You can make this nutritious, natural plant food at home!"

Going Organic

Here is a simplified summary of what you get, or should I say don't get, when you buy organic foods. Once you are able to accurately define organic foods, you will easily be able to avoid all of these nasties ending up in your pantry and on your dinner plate!

• Residues from pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
• Genetically modified foods
• Foods grown with sewage sludge fertilizer
• Force-ripened produce

When a fresh or processed food is labeled organic here's what's not in it, and what hasn't been done to it:

• No hidden MSG
• No nitrates or nitrites
• No artificial colors, additives or preservatives
• It has not been irradiated

When meats and dairy products are labeled organic, you know:

• Products are pesticide-free (yep, pesticides even end up in milk products and meats from non-organic livestock feeds)
• The cattle didn't dine on the rendered blood and body parts of other cattle and animals.
• Beef cattle were not injected with growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics
• Dairy cattle were not injected with rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) or unnecessary antibiotics
• They were not raised on a factory farm

This entire website was created to help you define organic foods for you and your family. There are four levels of organic standards you can read about on the Organic Labeling page. Or just use any of the links to the left to further explore the topics you're most interested in.

Define organic foods - USDA website.
The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture Define Organic Foods