Organic Food

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As with many things in the environmentally friendly or green arena - organic has different meanings. Organic food is produced by farmers who utilize renewable resources. They work to conserve soil and water. Organic products come from animals that are not fed or treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced with limited amounts of pesticides. A wonderful presentation is given at PBS which covers many aspects of the organic food and how business/consumers are accepting it.

Under the USDA, a certifier inspects the farm where the organic food is grown to help assure it follows the USDA organic rules. Packages have USDA organic labels to help consumers know the exact what meets their organic content requirements. The USDA Organic seal states the product is at a minimum 95 percent organic.

The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, § 205.600 Evaluation criteria for allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients can be found on the USDA link that details the processes and requirements for organic products, per the USDA. It is scary to think that some of the products listed below are used in conventional farming or food processing, but here is an example of some of the products now banned in the USDA program for organic food or farming:
Tobacco Dust (pesticide, herbicide, insecticide)
Strychnine (pesticide, herbicide, insecticide)
Ash - animal waste burning (carbon releasing)
Arsenic (pesticide, herbicide, insecticide)
Lead Salts (pesticide, herbicide, insecticide)
Sodium Fluoaluminate (pesticide, herbicide, insecticide)

An article by Consumer Reports in February of 2006, gives a good overview to begin an overview. They again address it pertaining to the costs of organic foods in the same issue. The National Resource Defense Council gives an excellent overview of what organic food is - in a basic understandable format.

The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) gives great information to those looking to purchase organic food or perhaps grow their own products. CCOF promotes and supports organic agriculture via a certification, education and political programs. They try to get involved in many sections of organics farming and food products.

The Center for Food Safety, Agricultural Marketing Resource Center and the International Food Information Council gives varying consumer education tips on food processing and organic agriculture in the US. They cover some of the banned substances and processes in the USDA program.

CNN has an interesting debate article at http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/specials/2000/organic.debate.ciampa/index.html. It tries top take view points from the 'crunchy' to the 'meat and potatoes' stand. The also discuss what the USDA standards can mean at http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/specials/2000/organic.other.side/index.html. Eden Foods has an article describes why they choose not to use the USDA Organic seal (and the stance on natural foods).

Some people find it more comforting to use research types of magazines such as Vegetarian Times or others such as Organic Products Retailer

In Sept 2006 USA Today provides an article on the growing demand in schools for organic and socially responsible foods. The NYT even has an organic RSS Feed that covers numerous articles on organic foods. The UK's BBC has an article from March 2005 local foods and the green concept.

Google and the DMOZ even has a directory specifically listing organic food links.

When it comes to the growing business of organic foods, BW provides and article in March of 2006 describing the large firm acceptance.

When it comes to purchasing products some people like well known organic and socially responsible lines such as Newman's Own Organic Popcorn or Green Mountain Organic Fair Trade Coffee

Other enjoy supporting smaller, less well know brands such as Choice Organic Teas or others such as Wild Oats Our Favorite Organic Trail Mix

Marine life also has certificate bodies. SCS Marine Fisheries Certification Program recognizes "well-managed" fisheries. They must conform to international sustainability standards via Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Demonstration of operations that maintain healthy populations of species, protection of ecosystems, and balanced biological interests.

Vegan

Vegan, Veganism (wikipedia link) or strict/pure vegetarianism is a philosophy incorporated into a person or groups lifestyle. The additional social aspect involves avoiding products tested on animals. Abtention of animals and animal products for food, clothing and other uses. This includes eating meat/poultry, fish, and honey, and eggs/dairy. Clothing or accessories are avoided such as silk, fur, leather, amd other animal produced items.

The Vegan Outreach Group has a very informative web page discussing details of the vegan life.

Fair Trade

The Fair Trade is a philosophy of wholesalers, retailers, and producers who are committed to providing fair wages and employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. TransFair USA, a non-profit, third-party certifier of fair trade products in the U.S. and Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). The International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) seeks to improve the livelihoods via fairness and representation for individuals in world trade.