What Growing Organically Really Means

In the supermarket, food labeled certified organic does cost more.  It's also missing most of the things that make food brighter in color and bigger in size.  The skin on organic tomatoes, bananas, apples, etc. might not be as smooth as it is on non-organically grown produce of similar variety.  If supermarket items are labeled organic, it's supposedly been grown and processed according to USDA approved methods.

Outside of the grocery store, organic can mean different things to different people. What's organic to me may not be organic to someone else. I see the term "organic" used incorrectly in blogs, websites, newspapers, and social media, so I thought it might be beneficial to offer a little insight about what can be called "organic".  As you'll see in a minute, any use of the term organic to market products must adhere to very strict guidelines and regulations.

See below from the USDA Consumer Brochure, USDA National Organic Program:

“What is organic food? 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 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,’ 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.”

I didn't post this information to start an argument, or anything like that, but I do think it's beneficial to understand that using the term "organic" implies a set of conditions that are difficult to adhere to - including an inspection of the production methods and production site - for certification.

And for those who want to read more about "organic" as defined by the USDA, here are some links to a lot more reading for you if you are interested:


The final national organic standards rule was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000. The law was activated April 21, 2001. The rule, along with detailed fact sheets and other background information, is available on the National Organic Program's website, http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/

Full regulatory text: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR): http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/
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