What is Organic and why it matters
Eating organic foods is a popular choice around the entire globe for a variety of reasons, including potential health and environmental benefits. Some people can easily make these food choices, but for many others with limited food source options and restrictive time and financial budgets, the choice is a weighty one.
If you are on the fence about whether or not to choose organic foods, we hope the information we provide in this blog lends more clarity on the subject, and helps you make choices that are best for you.
What Is Organic Food?
The government-regulated system of farming and food production that avoids applying synthetics like pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is commonly referred to as “organic.” Organic farming is a type of agriculture that avoids the use of some typical farming practices; instead, it emphasizes practices that promote ecological balance, conserve biodiversity, and enhance soil and water quality. As much as possible, organic farming works with natural processes, rather than relying on synthetic inputs.
Here's a breakdown of prohibitions for organic growing methods and standards:
No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides (some organic and naturals are allowed)
No synthetic herbicides
No growth hormones for livestock
No medically unnecessary antibiotics
No genetically-modified organisms (GMOs)
No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
No sewage sludge
No ionizing radiation
The Organic Label: Certified Standards
To get the official organic label in the United States, products must be comprised of more than 95% certified organic ingredients. If the label states the product is 100% organic, it must be 100% organic.
Have you ever seen the words ‘made with organic’ on a label? This statement means at least 70% of the product’s ingredients have been certified as organic. Equally important, it also means the product’s nonorganic ingredients weren’t farmed using any of the practices banned in organic production.
Under the oversight of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), various certifying agencies ensure that the organic standards (which are set by the National Organic Program) are met in full. In the US, the certifying agency that checked to see if the farms or producers met all the requirements is listed on the product packaging.
Organic Certification: More than a List of Don’ts
As noted above, products with the USDA Organic label must meet very specific standards. While these restrictions may be clearly stated in negative terms, on the flip side of the coin a host of actionable positive guidelines exist that, in essence, prioritize sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming methods, natural processes and ecological balance. These include:
A commitment to soil health. Techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, composting, and regenerative farming help nurture soil health.
Encourage and support biodiversity. By promoting a greater variety of plants and/or animals on the farm, and incorporating native plants, organic agriculture encourages biodiversity.
Ensure humane treatment of animals. Animals are raised in conditions that accommodate their natural behaviors; they are fed organic feed and are not given growth hormones or routine antibiotics.
Why Are Organic Foods More Expensive?
Taken as a whole, organic foods do tend to be more expensive than conventional foods. Here are a few reasons why their cost is usually higher:
Production costs are higher. Organic farming relies less on machinery and more on manual labor for most weeding, pest control, and harvesting. And because they don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, organic farms need more land to achieve profitable yields. A lower yield equals higher production cost.
Higher cost of organic fertilizers, animal feed, and other materials. To meet standards for organic certification, growers must adhere to strict dietary and environmental rules. Farmers cannot feed the least expensive option of food to their livestock, or apply the cheapest fertilizer to their crops. Accurate records of veterinary visits and every other aspect of growing must be kept for inspections. All of this adds cost to the bottom line.
Specialized farmland, handling and storage. Maintaining farmland to organic standards requires more time and money. To prevent contamination, organic products must be kept separate from non-organic products during processing, storage, and transportation; this requires separate facilities, trucks, and storage areas. Once again, the overall cost builds…
Certification and inspection fees. Obtaining and maintaining USDA Organic certification involves application fees and annual renewal fees; these vary from state to state. Regular on-site inspections are required, with some inspectors also charging travel time and expenses.
Small-scale productions offer limited supplies. Most organic farms are smaller than conventional farms and they produce smaller yields than their counterparts. Supplies of organic foods are generally lower than the demand; this drives up the cost.
These days, many organic farmers will tell you that their profit margin is thin, and it is their passion for growing clean foods for others and their desire to protect and nurture a healthier planet that drives them to continue farming.
Organic or Conventional Foods?
As to whether you should buy organically-grown or conventionally-grown produce and food products, the choice is yours. Naturally, factors such as what you and your family like to eat, what you can afford, and your personal values influence your purchases. Most health professionals agree that the best choice is the one that puts the greatest amount and greatest variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your daily diet.
Keep in mind that in the US, all foods must meet the same safety standards, and as recent food recalls indicate, even organic foods and products are at risk of concerning contamination. So, if organic foods are not available near you or your budget does not allow you to purchase them, know that conventionally grown foods are also nutritious.
That said, research has found that organic foods expose consumers to less pesticide residue, and this may be of significant importance for some individuals at various times in their life, such as during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or any time the immune system is compromised.