Weve all seen foods labeled organic, but what does that really mean? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, organic farming practices preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, including pesticides and antibiotics. Among other requirements, organic farmers must receive annual on-site inspections and not use genetically modified crops.

The fact is that being organic doesnt mean a food is healthy. You can now buy pesticide-free potato chips and organic jelly beans, and there are even organic Oreo cookies. Junk food is still junk food, even if it was produced organically.

You may be surprised to learn that a review of hundreds of studies found that organic produce doesnt seem to have significantly more vitamins and minerals. They do, however, appear to have more nontraditional nutrients, like polyphenol antioxidants, perhaps because conventionally grown plants given high-dose synthetic nitrogen fertilizers may divert more resources to growth rather than defense. This may be why organic berries, for example, appear to suppress cancer growth better than conventional berries in vitro.

Based on its elevated antioxidant levels, organic produce may be considered 20 to 40 percent healthier, the equivalent of adding one or two servings worth to a five-a-day regimen. But people dont just buy organic foods because theyre healthierwhat about safety?

Conventional produce appears to have twice the levels of cadmium, one of three toxic heavy metals in the food supply, along with mercury and lead. What about pesticide residues? Buying organic foods may reduce your exposure to pesticides, but not eliminate them entirely. Pesticide residues have reportedly been detected in 11 percent of organic crop samples due to accidental or fraudulent use, cross-contamination from neighboring nonorganic fields, or the lingering presence of persistent pollutants like DDT in the soil.

What about organic meat, eggs, and dairy? The USDA organic standards dont allow these animals to be fed or injected with antibiotics or steroids. All foods of animal originorganic or notnaturally contain sex steroid hormones, though, such as estrogen, but the hormones naturally found even in organic cows milk may play a role in acne, diminished male reproductive potential, and premature puberty. And, in a comparison between meat from animals raised conventionally versus organically, all conventional chicken samples were contaminated with multidrug-resistant bacteria, but the majority of organic samples were, too.

Image Credit: Jessica Spengler / Flickr. This image has been modified.

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organic foods | Health Topics | NutritionFacts.org

Simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled organic, a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

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Frequently Asked Questions - organic.org

Organic foods refer to vegetables, fruits, fish, dairy products and meats that are grown naturally or through organic farming, and are not processed or refined. It is one of those food sources that promote ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, and recycling of resources. In terms of chemical composition, it has 17% higher concentrations of polyphenols compared to conventional grown crops, 69% higher content in other nutrients, such as flavonols, phenolic acids and anthocyanins. It also has 69% higher flavanones.

In terms of chemical composition, studies showed that it has higher concentrations of nutrients, lower levels of anti-nutrients, and reduced detectable pesticide residues. Overall, it is not only environment friendly, but also healthy. Despite of all these, some people still question the advantages that organic foods offer. Nothing is perfect, after all. Moreover, certain countries, such as the United States, European Union and Canada, require farmers and producers to obtain certification before they can grow or market their products, which are both good and bad, depending on who you are asking. So anyone who wish to switch to organic food must weigh their advantages and disadvantages before making a decision.

1. Healthier to consumeProponents may claim that organic foods are more nutritious than the non-organic variety, but scientific studies showed that there is little difference in nutrient content, except for phosphorus and total polyphenols, which are significantly higher. Organic chicken also contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than its non-organic counterparts. So what makes naturally grown foods healthier? It is the fact that they are organically farmed, free from any pesticides and herbicides that may have harmful effects. This results in a more energetic and stronger body, with a reduced risk of disorders, illness and disease.

The absence of preservatives also enables you to control and keep unnecessary weight off the weighing scale. So even if nutrient and vitamin-content doesnt have a huge difference, organic foods are healthier overall.

2. Better tastingSome non-organic foods contain additives that can alter the taste, nutritional value and may even lead to weight gain. All of these are not found on naturally grown food items, which mean taste is better and more natural. Recent studies also showed that organic food has more healthy chemicals and mineral salts that increase nutritional value and quality.

3. Higher level of antioxidantsOrganic fruits and vegetables contain 40% more antioxidants according to research. As an element that the body needs to keep the system healthy and free from disease, having more antioxidant is sure to be beneficial. This is because it reduces the risk of heart diseases, stroke and cancer. So, organic foods play a role in preventing terminal and life-threatening diseases, particularly heart problems since they also contain salicylic acid that keeps arteries from hardening.

4. Promotes a healthy familyAn article on Cord Blood Test Results showed that a newborn babys cord blood contains traces of more than 200 harmful chemicals and 21 pesticides. So it is no wonder that conventional food practices have been closely associated with birth defects, ADHD, autism, childhood leukemia, learning disorders and nervous system disorders in children. Why put yourself and your future children at risk by eating non-organic foods?

5. Safer to eatThe use of chemicals and pesticides has been linked to a wide range of diseases, such as leukemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, infertility, cancer of the breast and prostate, Parkinsons disease, and immune and endocrine disorders. Herbicides and fertilizers, on the other hand, can lead to immune disorders, heart diseases hypertension, cancers and other numerous diseases. So taking all of them out of the equation makes the food you eat a lot safer. Most importantly, it is nothing like genetically engineered foods or meat sources that have been given appetite enhancers and synthetic hormones.

In the United States, organic meat certification help ensure that farm animals meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic protocol. This enhances safety, as regulations require that animals are fed with foods that are certified organic and do not contain animal byproducts. No antibiotics or growth hormones must be used on them as well. Also, animal production must not involve genetic engineering or irradiation.

6. Protects the environmentOrganic farming uses manure instead of fertilizers, crop rotation in place of single crop, weeding for herbicides, and nitrogen-fixing plants instead of nitrogen fertilizers. Without the chemicals, growing organic foods protect the environment from pollution and contamination of nearby bodies of water. Organic farming also conserve water and soil. And, compared to conventional soils, organic soils contain more micro-organisms that store carbon in the ground, helping maintain global climate. So, when you eat organic foods and support their growth, you are, in a way, doing your share in environmental conservation.

7. Promotes improved animal reproductionResearch showed that animals that feed on organic foods reproduce more compared to their non-organic food-eating counterparts. Apparently, animals also suffer infertility due to a large consumption of food items grown with chemicals, similar to humans. This results in lower levels of reproduction.

8. Supports the local economyWhen you buy organic foods, you support local farmers and their organic farms. When the rest of the community does the same thing, there will be more farms and more jobs will be created. These, in turn, support the communitys local economy.

9. It is cheaperBuying organic food may be expensive initially, but you will save money in the long run. Remember that whole foods prevent major and minor diseases, lowering health care costs because you are unlikely to get sick and be confined in a hospital. Moreover, you wont miss work and your income will remain intact.

Once your body is accustomed to eating organic food, your taste buds and your body will develop a certain aversion to junk food, which would result in you not investing on them and be able to maintain a good and healthy weight.

Organic foods are also of high quality, which means you get exactly what you paid for. And if you still think it is too expensive for your grocery budget, you can always grow your own organic vegetable garden and then barter with other farmers. You can also try to barter goods or services in exchange for organic food.

1. More expensive It is true that you will be able to save more money with organic foods because it prevents a lot of diseases that could send you to the hospital where your finances is highly likely to be used up. But when the concern is about the cost of initial purchase, naturally grown foods turn out to be not as cheap as proponents would have you believe. Because organic farmers do not use chemicals or artificial methods to grow crops or livestock, production is much lower. Add to this the extra manual labor, and the costs of organic farming are surely elevated. The only way farmers will make a profit is to sell their products at a higher price.

2. Doesnt last longerBecause natural foods do not contain preservatives, they have shorter storage life and tend to spoil faster than conventional foods. If you have to buy them more than once or twice a week, you would have to double your grocery budget for food. In the end, you dont get to save money.

3. Not widely availableIt takes twice as long to produce organic crops than the conventional kind. This means organic foods are not always available in stores, and especially because only a few local farms are adapting organic farming. Some communities, however, are luckier than others when it comes to supply of naturally grown foods.

4. Takes a lot of workOrganic farming may have benefits, but before anything can be harvested, farmers have to go through a lot of work and face plenty of challenges. Using manure as fertilizer, for example, is difficult to apply, and even more difficult to control the mineral content. Weeding, on the other hand, is more labor intensive than using herbicides, and when nitrogen-fixing plants are used as part of crop rotation, the area available for growing crops is reduced significantly.

Crop rotation is also one of the techniques that organic farmers use, which is beneficial since it reduces plant disease and minimize damage to soil composition. Unfortunately, this results in lower production and an inefficient method of growing different types of crops.

5. Doesnt live up to the hypeOrganic foods are said to be more nutritious than the conventional kind. Unfortunately, scientific studies dont back up this particular claim. There may be certain nutrients that show significant difference but only a few, which can be a letdown, considering that proponents of organic foods use high concentration of nutrients for promotion.

In terms of the bacterial contamination, the difference is not statistically significant either. What is even surprising is that the prevalence of E.coli is higher in organic produce than its conventional counterparts, 7% and 6% respectively. Organic crops also have a 5% greater risk of being contaminated. This may have something to do with the use of manure as fertilizer. So clearly, organic foods dont live up to the hype.

Organic food certainly has many advantages, but its not all that perfect. Whether you are a consumer or farmer, it will bring pros and cons to your plate. Organic tomatoes anyone?

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14 Meaningful Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic Food

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Food truck close to work. Had Greek Salad with chicken. fresh,flavorful, good size for price. Organic food, the salad dressing was yummy with a little kick. Good value and fit the need! Would try again, they gave burgers salads

This business is SCAMMING PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO EAT HEALTHY. Food was terrible and it's 100% NOT ORGANIC. I'm an organic food chef and know how organic food tastes and looks like and this was the cheapest quality GMO non organic food. From a short research seems that the owner is purposely scamming people selling non organic low quality food as organic saying how stupid Americans are that they would believe anything you tell and give them without checking. Terrible business, terrible!I will be reporting this business everywhere possible and suggest you do the same!

This place it great. Food truck was at AleSmith and my friend and I got Lobster Mac and Cheese ($12) and the Chef's Fried Rice ($6) to share. The guy working wasn't too busy and was nice enough to split the portions for us, 🙂 so we each got a plate with half of each.The rice tastes great. Very "healthy" tasting if that's your thing. Brown rice, chickpeas, some veggies, and sweet & sour sauce on top. Pretty good but not my style. I probably wouldn't get it again.The Lobster Mac and Cheese is the bombbbb. I would get it every time. The portion is huge and it's definitely restaurant quality. For $12 it's definitely worth the price!On a side note, the food truck is labeled "Grass-Fed" and "Gluten Free", and while I believe the rice is gluten free, the Mac and Cheese may not be. It tastes too good to believe the pasta can be gluten free Overall, considering I got all that food for $9 (since we split it), I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to eat here.

I got to try their food at Alesmith Brewery. They stood out next to the typical taco truck. I got the surf & turf and tried my friend's chili. Large portions, but quality ingredients.

I love the concepts of food trucks. Anybody can apply to be a chef at some random restaurant. But, you have to love your craft to the point where you're willing to deck out an RV, take what you make to a closed set of clientele, and work in in an enclosed space under less than ideal conditions. If you can do that and still make above average food, that's pretty damned impressive.Anyway, Organic Food Truck came to my office along with a couple other choices for some event or other. After looking between menus and going back and forth, I finally opted for here and the Surf & Turf O-Burger. This consisted of organic beef, assorted greens, and an exceedingly messy helping of Grand Lobster Mac N Cheese.First off, I should note that this food truck is 'Certified Organic,' which means ... well, it doesn't really mean anything, but they probably paid a lot of money and cared enough about what they make to tout it as so. To me, the 'Organic' label never added any flavor (that's always been more of an herb and spice thing in my expertise), it's just a marketing ploy to tack on a few extra bucks to the cost as you tell people that "the beef industry just wants to make money." Typically, though, such 'organic' portions are generally smaller, to help offset the higher price, that isn't the case here.The whole Surf & Turf was very large, juicy, and sloppy as all hell. This wasn't a bad thing, such a burger was made to be eaten with a fork and spoon. The bun was a bit generic, but the meat itself was cooked perfectly to a medium-rare. Seasoning was a bit light, a bit more more salt would have been nice, but the pepperiness of the arugula mixed in with the spring greens came through. The lobster flavor in the mac and cheese was muted, there but very light. I've seen some reviews complaining that it is made with imitation crab instead of real lobster and, in all honesty, it's been too long for me to remember or differentiate that flavor or texture. In any case, it was creamy, had a nice consistency that kept everything from being too dry, and was pretty tasty.In the end, the burger was good, but not much more than that. With all the ingredients that went into making it, you would figure it should be a step or two above. And yet, I was left nodding in light admiration at my lunch, but still tinged with a shoulder shrug. I'm sure I'd try Organic Food Truck again if given the chance. There's quite a bit on the menu that seems worth eating. Until then, though, it's tough to think of this place as anymore than a strong 3 Stars.

I ordered the burger and was extremely disappointed. Not only did it fall apart as soon as I picked it up, but it was also made with cheap ingredients. This food truck advertises itself as an organic food truck but I felt that they used cafeteria grade ingredients. Definitely not worth $9, plus the guy that took my order seemed rather rude.

The Organic Food Truck draws a long line when it visits the office buildings along Towne Center Drive. Popular items are the burgers and the brussels sprouts. The brussels sprouts are listed as a side dish, but you can order some protein on top and make a complete lunch out of the combination.Somewhat randomly, I ordered the seared ahi tuna, which was served on a bed of greens. I was happy enough with this lunch and will revisit the food truck without hesitation.

I'm giving a 2-Star because I only had one experience with "The O Truck" today at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa and I don't want to seem like a total jerk. I was excited to try the Lobster Mac and Cheese. One word: Disgusting. $14 including the tip I left (I expected too much). Looked nothing like the lovely picture on the truck. The guy who took my order told me that it was only good when hot. It was still disgusting right off the truck. It was basically macaroni slop that tasted like ground up pizza with soy sauce (for some weird reason). If this is a measure of the other things they have to offer, I would recommend staying away from the truck. #Pass

The fried rice was soggy and flavorless with a sweet n sour sauce poured all over it, GROSS and not edible.The chicken, rice and brussel sprouts plate - the chicken smelled like raw chicken and undercooked with pink inside so it went in the trash. The brown rice was also undercooked and not edible. So basically I paid $12 for a side of brussel sprouts which were not bad.

People could not stop talking about how GREAT the food was at our wedding thanks to Jack and his gang! We had a simple wedding at a brewery and Organic Food truck pulled up the the brewery punctual and ready to fed hungry guests!My guests were allowed to order anything from the menu and it arrived very quick! Big hits were the burger and lobster Mac and cheese. Before it wedding, we met up with Jack and ran though ideas and options for our wedding. He was very kind and made things effortless for us. I'm so happy Organic Food Truck was part of our big day! Thanks guys!

I enjoyed a pretty good burger from this food truck but I have to question on how it was put together. I ordered the O-burgers Grass Fed Beef Burger with everything on it except mayo for $9. I asked for the burger to be cooked to a medium temp and they hit the mark pretty well. The all natural beef had good flavor and was tender and moist. The burger came with lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions, but the problem with these items was that they chopped them up. As a result, every time I went in for a bite of a burger, the tomatoes, onions, and lettuce came falling out onto the container and table below. Nicely sliced tomatoes, onions, and whole torn pieces of lettuce would of done this burger more justice.Another thing was that the quality beef deserved a better bun. They use a typical white sesame bun, which in most cases that would not be a problem, but this one was cold and dry. They should at the very least warm it up on a hot griddle to give it that nice crunch on the ends and warm moist center. The burger deserves a better bun, like a brioche or a nice bun from Sadie Rose Baking Company. The last thing, put more cheese on that burger! It was hardly noticeable. In the end, the gent in the food truck was a nice guy but I think this burger can be much better.

This food IS NOT ORGANIC! Tasted like the the lowest quality food I ever had in my life. I don't think the burger had even real meat in it and hot dog looked old and blue inside! Stay away, I know how organic food tastes like and this is not it, this is A SCAM!

Not good quality! Had the surf & turf burger recommended by the guy in the window. We ordered med-rare, came out extra well done & dry. There was no lobster or lobster flavor in the mac. Kinda had a salad on it too. None of it good!

This is the most disgusting food I've ever had. None of it looks homemade at all. It all looks store bought and just thrown together. When you think of organic you think of healthy and fresh and that's not at all what we got. The lady inside was unprofessional and gave a super weird vibe out.

The guys I ordered the food from warned me the Lobster Mac and cheese was "not for everyone". But it was absolutely for us! Was so amazing and a must order! They were really nice and the food was quick and outstanding!

This truck stops at my work place several times a month. Good quality food, and the customer service is very delightful. However, One single hamburger cost you $9 dollars which I though was a bit expensive. But they say all organic food is expensive anyways, if you are into the whole organic concept they you will love their food.

I love this food truck, even better that it's organic ingredients! Just takes some guilty out of eating out. I had the surf and turf to try the lobster Mac and cheese and the burger, the serving was huge! The burger patty was two layers and super delicious. The Mac and cheese were a little salty so I probably won't get it alone next time. Overall very good value for food trucks

Gross. Got the lobster mac and cheese and it was like soup. Tried it and nearly threw up. Not worth the $12 at all.

Great food. We plan our visit to Orfila Winery for whenever this truck is there. Try the potatoes and the burger

We have a different "gourmet" food truck show up at lunch at work every day, and Organic is probably my favorite, mostly because of the lamb chops and brussels sprouts (with brown rice). But they have a great variety of chicken, fish and veggie choices too. Delicious and healthy!

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Organic Food Truck - 76 Photos & 140 Reviews - Food Trucks ...

Compiled by:Mary V. GoldAlternative Farming Systems Information CenterNational Agricultural LibraryU.S. Department of AgricultureAsk a Question

June 2007. Reviewed April 2016

What is Organic Production?What are organic production systems and practices?Where are the best organic production research and information sources?How can I find organic production people and organizations?Where can I explore educational and career opportunities?Who will fund my organic farming or food research project?Where can I find organic-related conferences and workshops?

USDA Definition and Regulations:

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), enacted under Title 21 of the 1990 Farm Bill, served to establish uniform national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled as organic. The Act authorized a new USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to set national standards for the production, handling, and processing of organically grown agricultural products. In addition, the Program oversees mandatory certification of organic production. The Act also established the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) which advises the Secretary of Agriculture in setting the standards upon which the NOP is based. Producers who meet standards set by the NOP may label their products as USDA Certified Organic.

The final national organic standards rule was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000. The law was activated April 21, 2001. The rule, along with detailed fact sheets and other background information, is available on the National Organic Program's website, https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program

Full regulatory text: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR): http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr205_main_02.tpl

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Organic farming entails:

Transitioning to Organic Production. USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), 2006.http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Bulletins/Transitioning-to-Organic-Production

Organic Principles. There are several compelling principles that characterize certified organic farming. They include biodiversity, integration, sustainability, natural plant nutrition, natural pest management, and integrity. Most organic operations will reflect all of these to a greater or lesser degree. Since each farm is a distinct entity, there is a large degree of variation. Organic Crop Production Overview, by George Kuepper and Lance Gegner. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Servicehttps://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=66

Organic production is not simply the avoidance of conventional chemical inputs, nor is it the substitution of natural inputs for synthetic ones. Organic farmers apply techniques first used thousands of years ago, such as crop rotations and the use of composted animal manures and green manure crops, in ways that are economically sustainable in today's world. In organic production, overall system health is emphasized, and the interaction of management practices is the primary concern. Organic producers implement a wide range of strategies to develop and maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility.Organic Agriculture Overview, USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), 2007. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/ProgViewOverview.cfm?prnum=6861

Learn more:

Definition of Organic Agriculture Report to the Task Force International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), 2006.http://www.ifoam.org/organic_facts/doa/pdf/Definition_of_Organic_Agriculture_Report.pdf

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Databases: AFSIC's Guide to Searchable Sites and Databases, https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/databases-0, guides you to information and links for:

Statistics about Organic Farming and Organic Markets/Marketing: Selected Resources USDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, 2006.http://pubs.nal.usda.gov/statistics-about-organic-farming-and-organic-marketsmarketing-selected-sources

Organic Roots USDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, 2004.Search Organic Agriculture Information Access (Organic Roots), an electronic collection of historic USDA publications related to organic agriculture. Contains almost 200 documents published before 1942 (before synthetic chemicals became widely used) that contain data that are still very pertinent for today's agriculture.http://organicroots.nal.usda.gov/orc/home.xhtml

Organic Agriculture USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS)http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/organic-agriculture.aspx

OrganicAgInfo http://www.organicaginfo.org/

Project Reports: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), SAREhttp://www.sare.org/Project-Reports

Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainable Program NP #216 USDA, Agricultural Research Servicehttp://www.sare.org/Project-Reports

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) http://www.ofrf.org/

International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR) http://www.isofar.org/

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Sustainable Agriculture Organizations and Information Providers USDA, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, revised 2015.U.S. national and regional groups involved in research, outreach, advocacy and production expertise.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/sustainable-agriculture-organizations-and-information-providers

USDA Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs) USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), National Organic Programhttps://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/certifying-agents

All Organic Links: Associations and Organizations All Organic Links.comhttp://www.allorganiclinks.com/category/Associations+___and___+Organizations/3

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Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture, Compiled by Becky ThompsonUSDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.Directory of degrees, curricula, research programs, school farms, and distance learning at U.S. academic institutions and non-profit organizations.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/edtr/sustainable-agriculture-education-directory

Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.Directory of farms seeking interns/apprentices from North America.https://attra.ncat.org/internships/

Courses and Curricula Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)Educational tools from SARE for those who work with farmers and ranchers.http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Courses-and-Curricula

Sustainable Agriculture Resources & Programs for K-12 Youth Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), 2015http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Courses-and-Curricula/Sustainable-Agriculture-Resources-and-Programs-for-K-12-Youth

The Organic University (OU) Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)https://mosesorganic.org/organic-university/

SANET-MG. Sustainable Agriculture Network.Job opportunities are often listed with the Sustainable Agriculture Network's e-mail discussion group, SANET-MG. SANET-MG migrated to Google Groups in November, 2015. Archives prior to November 1, 2015 may be unavailable.http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/SANET

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Sustainable Agriculture Research Funding ResourcesUSDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, revised 2011. Links updated 2015.This fact sheet lists U.S. government and non-government entities that provide funding for research activities related to sustainable agriculture including organic farming and food, integrated pest management, water quality issues related to agriculture, rural community and small farm topics, alternative and value-added marketing practices, and more.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/sustainable-agriculture-research-funding-resources

Federal Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Updated November 2014This publication offers an overview of the major federal conservation programs that provide resources for farmers and ranchers to enhance and maintain sustainable farming and ranching practices.https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=280

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Calendars: Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming, Alternative/Specialty Crops and Livestock USDA, NAL, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. Reviewed April 2016.https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/calendars-sustainable-agriculture-organic-farming-alternativespecialty-crops-and-livestock

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Organic Production/Organic Food: Information Access Tools ...

Why is organic food more expensive than conventional food?

Certified organic food. Certified organic products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts (for which prices have been declining) for a number of reasons:

As demand for organic food and products is increasing, technological innovations and economies of scale should reduce costs of production, processing, distribution and marketing for organic produce.

Prices of organic foods include not only the cost of the food production itself, but also a range of other factors that are not captured in the price of conventional food, such as:

Non-certified organic food. In many developing countries, there are agricultural systems that fully meet the requirements of organic agriculture but which are not certified. Non-certified organic agriculture refers to organic agricultural practices by intent and not by default; this excludes non-sustainable systems which do not use synthetic inputs but which degrade soils due to lack of soil building practices. It is difficult to quantify the extent of these agricultural systems as they exist outside the certification and formal market systems. The produce of these systems is usually consumed by households or sold locally (e.g. urban and village markets) at the same price as their conventional counterparts. Although the uncertified produce does not benefit from price premiums, some cases have been documented where non-certified organic agriculture increases productivity of the total farm agro-ecosystem, and saves on purchasing external inputs. In developed countries, non-certified organic food is often sold directly to consumers through local community support programmes such as box schemes, farmers markets and at the farm gate. These allow the producer to know exactly what the consumer wants, while the consumer knows where the produce comes from and in the case of box schemes, saves on transport costs through delivery of produce to their homes. In developed countries, non-certified organic produce usually carries a higher price than its conventional counterpart, in accordance with the specific consumer willingness to pay.

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Organic Agriculture: Why is organic food more expensive ...

Organically grown foods can beand often are mixed with non-organic ingredients, genetically modified organisms and artificial ingredients despite boasting organic labels. Organic fruits and vegetables can comingle with conventionally raised produce, be exposed to pesticides and other contaminants in shipping, storage and on display at your local supermarket. And sometimes, products labeled organic arent even organic at all, like the recent case of an Oregon man sentenced to more than two years in prison for selling conventionally raised corn as organic.

Beyond the health, environmental and flavor benefits in growing organic food, theres the enticing higher sticker price for farmers, distributors and retailers. Just ask any farmer who made the switch from conventional to certified organic how much more theyre making with premium organic crops. Money certainly tempted Harold Chase, 55, of Eugene, OR who appeared to double his profits by selling more than 4.2 million pounds of non-organic corn as certified organic.

In 2009, Target was accused of falsely advertising soymilk as organic when it was not. The retail giant faced a similar situation just two years earlier when the USDA considered pulling the organic certification from Targets main organic dairy supplierand the nations largestAurora Dairy (supplier for Horizon), for selling non-organic milk marketed as organic for more than four years. Horizon had once been considered a leader in the organic food movement.

How does this happen?

Regulations, especially in livestock conditions, were loosely defined when the National Organic Program was implemented in 2002. While stricter rules exist now for meat, egg and dairy farms claiming to be organic, unresolved issues about ethical treatment still remain a contentious point in defining organic animal products.

The USDA organic labeling system has several levels of organic certification. You may recognize the USDA seal on the front of 100 percent certified organic products. But they also allow the word organic on products that contain only 70 percent organic ingredients. A bag of corn chips, for example, could say something like made with organic corn, but could contain no other organic ingredients (and could also contain genetically modified canola or soybean oil). So make sure you read your labels and ingredient panels on any processed foods.

100 percent certified organic means just that. But the USDA defines organic as meaning at least 95 percent of the product is organic, and therefore can also contain ingredients like natural flavoring which canand often doesinclude MSG (monosodium glutamate), known for severe side effects including headaches and tinnitus. Because MSG naturally occurs in autolyzed yeast extract, it is considered a natural product. So is carrageenan, a seaweed substance known to cause adverse reactions like digestive disturbances. Other products that may or may not be labeled as more than just natural flavors include enzymes, gums and yeasts.

China is a major exporter of organic products from canned tomatoes to milk to dried fruit and tea. But their certifying program varies greatly from our own, and banned toxic pesticides and other chemicals have shown up in organic foods on several occasions. Just recently, Chinese officials announced that they will take extra measures to stop illegal fraudulent activities including misuse of certifications and counterfeit organic products.

Supermarkets are loaded with fruits and vegetables labeled organic. But field-testing to ensure compliance with organic standards is a rarity in the U.S. Organic produce fetches a higher sticker price, so it is highly appealing to both farmers and supermarkets, making us all victims of organic fraud likely at some point or another. Supermarkets that arent certified organic can often co-mingle organic and conventional produce leading to residual pesticide contamination, even though theyre not supposed to share storage or display units. Visiting and supporting a local farmer, either at a farmers market or through a CSA, greatly improves your chances of getting truly organic items.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Resources:

http://www.truthinlabeling.org/organicP.html

http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/235740-ore.-man-sent-to-prison-over-organic-corn-scam

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/20/target-accused-of-organic_n_327639.html

http://www.startribune.com/business/11225536.html

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-05/03/content_15203108.htm

Image: Yogue_style

Jill Ettinger is a Los Angeles-based journalist and editor focused on the global food system and how it intersects with our cultural traditions, diet preferences, health, and politics. She is the senior editor for sister websites OrganicAuthority.com and EcoSalon.com, and works as a research associate and editor with the Cornucopia Institute, the organic industry watchdog group. Jill has been featured in The Huffington Post, MTV, Reality Sandwich, and Eat Drink Better. http://www.jillettinger.com.

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Is Your Organic Food A Fraud? - Organic Authority

By Dr. Mercola

While the controversy over whether organically grown food is healthier lingers, scientific research continues to demonstrate the health benefits to both humans and the environment of growing and consuming organic foods.

Food grown in healthier soil, with natural fertilizers and no harmful chemicals, is quite simply more nutritious and less dangerous to your health.

Detractors of organic farming rest on a meta-analysis published in 2012 by Stanford University, which found similar nutrients in both organically growth produce and those laden with pesticides and insecticides.1

That same study did admit organic foods were not burdened with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pesticide residue, but stated these were the only benefits.

More recent analyses of organic foods also found similar levels of nutrients between organic and pesticide-treated crops,2 with lower pesticide residue on organic foods.3 However, the more recent studies also found lower levels of cadmium,4 a known carcinogen, and higher levels of antioxidants.5

Organic fruits and vegetables may contain as much as 18 percent to 69 percent more antioxidants than pesticide-treated produce. As antioxidants play a critical role in the prevention of diseases and illnesses, these higher levels of nutrients, in combination with a lower toxicity level, make organically grown foods a superior choice.

One of the strongest selling points for eating organic foods had been to reduce your exposure to pesticides and insecticides. Now, a recent study demonstrates that organic foods hold more benefits to your future health and the health of your children.

The study conducted by the European Parliamentary Research Service reviewed existing research and made several determinations.6

From their analysis they concluded that eating organic foods reduces pesticide exposure, improves the nutritional value of the food, lessens disease risk and improves early childhood development.7

They also found those who ate organic foods tended to have healthier dietary patterns than those who ate foods treated with chemicals.

In other studies, researchers found epidemiological data demonstrating the negative effects of pesticide exposure on the cognitive development of children and determined these effects would be minimized eating organic foods, especially during pregnancy and during early infancy.

Another important finding, also supported by previous studies,8 was organic foods had lower cadmium content than conventional crops.9 There is no safe level of cadmium, as it is a known carcinogen and produces a number of negative effects on human health.

Your highest rate of exposure is from plant-based foods grown in contaminated soil or using certain fertilizers. Other sources include smoking and exposure to nickel-cadmium batteries.10

Once absorbed, your body efficiently retains cadmium, which can build up over your lifetime unless you take steps to remove it.11,12 Being deficient in calcium, iron, protein and/or zinc may worsen cadmium uptake and toxicity.

Antagonists that can help detoxify cadmium include calcium, zinc, copper, vitamin D and C, iron, manganese and protein.13

Cadmium is very toxic to your kidneys, may trigger bone demineralization and increases your risk of dying from lung cancer. It can also affect your blood pressure, prostate health and testosterone levels.14

Organically raised animals also reduce your exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria as the organic practice of preventing animal disease restricts the use of antibiotics in production. Minimizing your exposure to these bacteria may minimize your risk of illness and may have significant public health benefits.

Researchers have determined the levels of polyphenols in organically grown crops is significantly higher than those sprayed with pesticides.15 These higher concentrations of phenolic acids, flavones, stilbenes, flavonols and anthocyanins were estimated to be between 19 percent and 51 percent higher in one study.

These plant-based antioxidant compounds have been linked to the reduction in a number of different diseases, including cardiovascular disease,16,17 neurodegenerative conditions,18 cancers19,20 and slowing the aging process.21

Antioxidants are a class of molecule that are capable of inhibiting the oxidation of free radicals that cause damage in your body.

Some antioxidants can be produced by your body, but some are not and, as you age, your ability to produce those antioxidants declines. Antioxidants are crucial to your health and can be acquired through eating real foods. They are nature's way of defending your body against an attack by reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Your body naturally circulates a variety of nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenes and lipoic acid, to control the destructive chain reactions associated with ROS. Antioxidants are micronutrients that help your body resist the damage of pollutants and free radicals produced during metabolism.

Oxidative stress occurs when there are more free radicals and ROS in your body than antioxidant defenses, and leads to accelerated tissue and organ damage. Oxidative stress may also shorten the length of your telomeres, which researchers believe can be used as a measure of biological aging.

Antioxidants are present in higher quantities in fruits and vegetables that are organically grown and those eaten closer to the time they were harvested. This is why eating the majority of your fruits and vegetables raw, organically grown and locally harvested increases the number of nutrients from which you benefit.

Researchers have also linked eating foods organically grown to even more health benefits, including a reduction in obesity and type 2 diabetes, two of the more common health concerns facing people today.22

More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese,23 one of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes that affects over 9 percent of the American population.24

Research has also linked an increase in allergic reactions to foods coated with pesticides in people who have not otherwise experienced food allergies.25 Exposure to specific weed-killing chemicals are associated with higher sensitivity to foods.26

Dichlorophenols, chemicals used for pesticides and to chlorinate tap water, may also be to blame for the rising number of children suffering from allergies.27

Demand for organic foods is rapidly expanding. This demand is not limited to real foods, but also prepackaged and processed foods. In 2014, people around the world spent $72 billion on organic products.28

The largest organic market located in the U.S. recorded an 11.5 percent increase in 2015. Some make the decision to buy organic based on a concern for the environment, while others are focused on their personal long-term health benefits.

This continued growth provides incentive for U.S. farmers to enter the market. Organic foods are sold through direct-to-consumer sales, conventional groceries and natural health food stores.

Produce accounted for 43 percent of organic food sales in 201229 with 93 percent of all sales taking place through conventional and natural food stores.

Although organic foods are more accessible, there continues to be challenges in the supply chain. Organic food sales may have enjoyed greater growth had the supply been available.30

Securing a supply chain that supports demand includes ensuring more organic acreage and helping farmers transition from conventional produce farming to organic.

As more consumers become interested in eating a healthier diet and more willing to pay for higher-quality foods, smaller markets are carving out a niche in the marketplace.

It is anticipated that the growth of the organic food market will reach $1 trillion in 2017.31 This increase in sales is helping successfully launch small companies providing products to meet consumer demand.

Angel investors and venture capitalists are also taking advantage, investing more than $2 billion in 2015.32 Despite the growth in organic sales, the number of certified organic farms in the U.S. are finding it challenging to keep pace with the demand. As fewer than 1 percent of American farms were certified organic in 2012, the availability for growth in this field is wide open.33

Foreign suppliers provided $134 million in organic soybeans in 2014, prompting U.S. Congress to expand their support for organic farming and double their funds for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program.34

A recent report found 17 of the top 20 grocer retailers are not meeting the increased consumer demand for organic, pesticide-free foods.35 The same report also revealed food retailers don't publish a publicly available policy to reduce or eliminate pesticides that impact the growth of pollinators, the largest group of which are bees.

For food to carry the certified "organic" label, it must meet several federal guidelines.36 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as:37

" [P]roduced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.

Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

Before a product can be labeled 'organic,' a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too."

Without certification, products are not allowed to display the USDA organic seal.38 However, a certified organic product may contain a mix of conventionally grown and organic ingredients depending upon the labeling.39 This mix of pesticide-laden ingredients with organically grown ones may negate many of the benefits of eating organic foods. The easiest answer is to avoid processed fare, and cook from scratch, so you know exactly what you're eating.

One of the benefits to the environment from organic farming and the reduction in pesticide use is the impact on the bee population, pollinators necessary to the growth of crops and plants. Tiffany Finck-Haynes, from Friends of the Earth, and lead author of the paper studying top retailers and organic foods, commented:40

"Without bees and other pollinators, our supermarket shelves would be pretty bare and empty. And they're an indicator species, so they're really telling us that their decline is most likely resulting in a larger decline that we're seeing for the rest of the species in our ecosystem."

This video demonstrates sustainable agriculture techniques used on the Allison Farm in Illinois. Another benefit to the environment is soil biodiversity, or the species, genes and entire communities of life that exists within the soil. If you think these tiny creatures aren't important to your health, the nutrient value of the food grown in the soil and to your children's future health, think again. Here are a few fun facts about soil:41

A meta-analysis of over 250 studies found that organic farming increased species richness in the soil by 30 percent, and this number has been consistent over the past 30 years of study.42 In fields that were intensely farmed, organic farming had a greater effect on the biodiversity of the land. This analysis of research confirmed that organic farming has a positive effect on biodiversity compared to conventional farming.

The rest is here:

More Reasons Why You Need to Eat Organic - Mercola.com

So when you hear the term organic food, what does it really mean? Is there one simple definition of organic food?

Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.

Now that you have a simple definition of organic food why should you make organic foods apart of your diet?

Good Question, there are two clear reasons to go organic:

Well first it just plaintastes better.Organically grown foods have basic standards some of which are is keeping soil healthy and fortifying it naturally, not with synthetic fertilizers. Healthy, fortified soil means healthy, strong plants, which translates to better-tasting food.

Secondly, organically grown foods havemore nutrients.Healthy soil of organic farmland also provides more nutrients for growing plants. Studies are showing they have more vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C and iron.

One of the biggest studies into organic food has found that it is more nutritious than ordinary produce and may help to lengthen peoples lives.

The study found that organic fruit and vegetables contained as much as 40% more antioxidants, which scientists believe can cut the risk of cancer and heart disease. They also had higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.

Professor Carlo Leifert, the co-ordinator of the European Union-funded project, said the differences were so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people not eating the recommended five portions a day of fruit and vegetables. If you have just 20% more antioxidants and you cant get your kids to do five a day, then you might just be okay with four a day, he said.

Leifert said the government was wrong about there being no difference between organic and conventional produce. There is enough evidence now that the level of good things is higher in organics, he said.

Organic foods are essentially free of pesticides, while nearly every type of conventional fruit and vegetable has at least one type of pesticide applied to it sometime from when the seeds are put into the ground to when they are sold. Logically then, eating organic foods rather than conventional foods will reduce your familys exposure to pesticides. And for me that is enough to make organic foods apart of my familys diet.

If you enjoyed this article, Definition of Organic Food you might like to learn more about specific foods that you should buy organic read my articleIs Organic Worth It?

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Thats right as a special launch promotion, were offering our brand new Paleo fat loss cookbook to you for free (Chef Pete lost 60 lbs using these recipes!) All you have to do is just cover a small shipping cost (international shipping is a bit more).

Get your FREE copy of Paleo Eats Here. (Grab this today, because we only ordered a small batch of these cookbooks for this freebie promotion, and they will sell out FAST!)

See more here:

What is the Definition of Organic Food? : Healthy Holistic ...

A shopper surveys the produce at Pacifica Farmers Market in Pacifica, Calif., in 2011. AP hide caption

A shopper surveys the produce at Pacifica Farmers Market in Pacifica, Calif., in 2011.

Yes, organics is a $29 billion industry and still growing. Something is pulling us toward those organic veggies that are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

But if you're thinking that organic produce will help you stay healthier, a new finding may come as a surprise. A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds scant evidence of health benefits from organic foods.

"There's a definite lack of evidence," says researcher Crystal Smith-Spangler at Stanford University School of Medicine, especially when it comes to studies of people.

She and her colleagues collected 200 peer-reviewed studies that examined differences between organic and conventional food, or the people who eat it.

A few of these studies followed people who were eating either organic or conventional food and looked for evidence that the choice made a difference in their health.

One study, for instance, looked at whether eating organic food while pregnant would influence the likelihood of eczema and other allergic conditions among children, and another looked at whether eating organic meat would influence the risk of a Campylobacter infection, a bacterial food-borne illness. When the researchers looked at the body of evidence, they found no clear benefits. But they say more research is needed.

It's important to note, though, that such studies have a really hard time uncovering subtle effects of our environment, or what we eat, on our health. Too many other powerful influences get in the way. Also, these studies only followed people for a very short time about two years or less. That's hardly enough time to document any particular health benefit.

Most of the studies included in this collection looked at the food itself the nutrients that it contained as well as levels of pesticide residues or harmful bacteria.

As you might expect, there was less pesticide contamination on organic produce. But does that matter? The authors of the new study say probably not. They found that the vast majority of conventionally grown food did not exceed allowable limits of pesticide residue set by federal regulations.

Some previous studies have looked at specific organic foods and found that they contain higher levels of important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. We've reported on one particularly ambitious experiment, which is supposed to go on for a hundred years, comparing plots of organic and conventional tomatoes. After 10 years, the researchers found that tomatoes raised in the organic plots contained significantly higher levels of certain antioxidant compounds.

But this is one study of one vegetable in one field. And when the Stanford researchers looked at their broad array of studies, which included lots of different crops in different situations, they found no such broad pattern.

Here's the basic reason: When it comes to their nutritional quality, vegetables vary enormously, and that's true whether they are organic or conventional. One carrot in the grocery store, for instance, may have two or three times more beta carotene (which gives us vitamin A) than its neighbor. That's due to all kinds of things: differences in the genetic makeup of different varieties, the ripeness of the produce when it was picked, even the weather.

So there really are vegetables that are more nutritious than others, but the dividing line between them isn't whether or not they are organic. "You can't use organic as your sole criteria for judging nutritional quality," says Smith-Spangler.

Of course, people may have other reasons for buying organic food. It's a different style of agriculture. Organic farmers often control pests by growing a greater variety of crops. They increase the fertility of their fields through nitrogen-fixing plants, or by adding compost instead of applying synthetic fertilizer.

That can bring environmental benefits, such as more diverse insect life in the field or less fertilizer runoff into neighboring streams. But such methods also cost money. That's part of what you are buying when you buy organic.

So if you really want to find the most nutritious vegetables, and the organic label won't take you there, what will?

At the moment, unfortunately, there isn't a good guide. But a lot of scientists are working on it.

They're measuring nutrient levels in all kinds of crops, and discovering some surprising things, as The Salt reported last week such as supernutritious microgreens. They're trying to breed new varieties of crops that yield not a bigger harvest but a more nutrient-rich harvest.

The problem is, farmers still get paid by the pound, not by the vitamin. And consumers buy their food the same way. What this really requires is a whole new food system that can track those extra-nutritious crops from farmer's field to consumer's shopping basket.

Maybe, down the road, you will actually see signs in the supermarket that advertise, for instance, iron-rich beans. Maybe they'd be organic, or maybe not.

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Why Organic Food May Not Be Healthier For You - npr.org