Organic Food

Once again, you're standing in the produce section of the supermarket. Before you are two different bins, one marked "organic", and the other not. The vegetables in each bin seem to be equal in appearance, vibrantly green and fresh, however the organic vegetables are considerably more expensive.'What, exactly, am I paying extra for?', you might ask.

The term "organic" pertains to how farmers raise and process their vegetables, fruits, dairy products, et cetera. These organic farming techniques were created to encourage an and ecologically friendly environment. Organic produce farmers don't use such conventional methods as chemical fertilizers, insecticides, antibiotics, or herbicides. Instead they use alternatives, such as natural fertilizers and organic feed. The end result is a healthier, better product. Also, it prevents you from ingesting these chemicals and insecticides.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, (or USDA), has created an organic certification program which closely regulates what can, and cannot, be called "organic". This is good news for you, the buyer: it means that it's now easy for you to tell what is organic and what is not. Simply check the produce in question for the USDA ORGANIC sticker or label. Products with this label are completely organic, also known as "100% Organic". This pertains to fruits, vegetables, eggs, beef, and many other items.

If you run across a multi-ingredient product bearing this label, such as bread or breakfast cereal, it means that it was made with at least 95% organic ingredients. If a product is made of anywhere from 70%-94% organic ingredients, it may say "made with organic ingredients" but may not use the USDA organic label.

So, now that you are privy to the intricacies of organic food, shop with confidence. Stay healthy, my friends.