Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic - Anna Getty [8]
• If a farm or company wants to label a product “100 percent organic” it must contain 100 percent organically produced ingredients, except for salt or water. The label may show the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic seal or the certifying agent’s seal.
• If a farm or company wants to label a product “organic,” the product must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, not counting added salt or water. It may not contain added sulfites, but it may contain up to 5 percent nonorganic ingredients that are not commercially available in an organic form. The label may include the USDA organic seal or the certifying agent’s seal. “Certified organic” indicates that the product has been certified by either a private certifying agency or a state government agency that is fully accredited by the USDA.
• If a farm or company wants to label a product “made with organic ingredients,” the product must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients, again not counting added salt and water. The label may show the specific organic ingredients, the percentage of organic ingredients, and the certifying agent, but it cannot include the USDA organic seal.
• If a farm or company wants to claim that a product “contains some organic ingredients,” the product may contain less than 70 percent organic ingredients, not counting added salt and water. The label may not include the USDA organic seal or a certifying agent’s seal.
• In addition, there are some companies who label products “natural” or “all-natural.” Although one or more of the ingredients may not have been treated with pesticides, they may not make any claims of organic ingredients. According to the USDA, a meat or poultry product labeled “natural” should contain “no artificial ingredient or added color” and be “only minimally processed (a process that does not fundamentally alter the raw product).” In addition, the label is supposed to explain what is meant by “natural.” All things being equal, I will purchase a natural product over a conventional one because at least I know the company may be attempting to head in the right direction.
making the transition to an organic pantry
I realize that these terms may seem overwhelming. The idea of making a big change in your food-shopping habits may seem daunting as well. Take baby steps: Make it a goal to buy organic produce over a two-week period. Then move on to dairy, and then fish and meat. Use the Resources section at the end of this book to help you find sources for organic and sustainable products. For example, the Sustainable Table’s Eat Well Guide is extremely helpful; you just type in your zip code and it lists sustainable food sources located within twenty miles. Here are five easy ways to start making the change:
1. Whenever possible buy fresh, locally grown, and seasonal food from farmers’ markets. Through direct contact with the farmer, you can learn how sustainably the food was grown. Not everything you buy locally may be certified organic, but it may contain fewer pesticides than conventionally grown produce from a major grower, or none at all. There are Internet guides that will help you find your local farmers’ market.
2. Grow your own garden (see page 40). Having a direct relationship with what you grow shows you what organic truly means, and one bite of fresh-picked lettuce or a tomato warmed by the sun will convince you that organic is the most delicious option!
3. Shop at your local co-op. Co-op markets generally source from local growers, buy and sell products in bulk, and offer great discounts.
4. Become a part of a community garden or create an organic food club. Create a support system that helps empower this lifestyle.
5. Start by picking a few of the foods that have the highest levels of pesticides and commit to only buying them in organic form.
Many people are apprehensive about going organic because organic food is usually more expensive. At the moment that is true, but organic food is actually cheaper to produce. Once a farm has been fully converted