| Gone are the days when a head of
organic lettuce might be expected to show signs of insect damage-and good riddance!
Organic produce today is just as beautiful, sometimes more so, than its conventional
counterpart. This is because organic agriculture doesn't mean simply abstaining from the
use of chemical pesticides. Organic farmers don't just plant seeds and then sit back and
hope they win in a game of roulette against nature-they work with nature, using
cultivation techniques and natural pest controls which don't upset the environmental
balance. Look For
"Certified Organic" On The Label
One way to be sure the product you're buying is organic is to look for the words
"Certified Organic" on the label in the produce section or on the can or box.
When upcoming national regulations for organic foods go into effect, it will be a federal
offense for any product to be labeled even simply as "organic" unless the grower
or processor has been certified by a third party organization. Some labels display the
name and/or seal of the certifying organization.
If you are still unsure of the authenticity of a
certain product, ask your store manager for information. He or she should be able to tell
you where the product was grown or processed and which organization performed the organic
certification.
Support Sustainable Agriculture
Remember, when you buy organic products you are adding your support to a growing
movement toward a more sustainable future. And, wonderfully, you are getting some of the
best-tasting, most nutritious, and most interesting products on the market today.
©Organic Trade Association |
