Why Buy Organic Clothing, Food, Coffee, Meat, etc.?

When we buy organic, we're buying products that are better for us, our farmers and our environment. Organic food, cotton, herbs and teas are grown according to strict regulations.

Organic foods and cottons are grown without fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms or radiation. Organic animals that are grown for meat eggs and dairy products are raised without antibiotics or hormones, and are often allowed to roam free (also known as "free-range").

The USDA defines organic like this:
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.

Types of Organic Labeling:

1. 100% Organic - Food, clothing or other product is made with 100% organic ingredients
2. Organic - Food, clothing or other product is made with at least 95% organic ingredients
3. Made with organic ingredients - Product is made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no Genitically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
4. Products that contain less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced contents on the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package (often times identified with "Natural Ingredients" or sold by a retailer that is well-entrenched in the organics industry).

USDA Organic - What does it mean?

The USDA Organic seal means the quality and integrity of the product meets federal organic qualification guidelines. Organic-certified farms and factories must have an organic blueprint and records that verify compliance with this plan. Organic standards extend through all facets of the growth and production of products bearing the USDA Organic seal of compliance. Even the soil where organic cotton and produce are grown must meet a lengthy verification and qualification test that ensures the products that we trust are organic, do not contain pesticide or fertilizer residue, hormones or genetically modified organisms.

USDA Organic growers, suppliers and producers are subject to regular inspections of their facilities to insure compliance with the strict standards that accompany the USDA Seal. Additionally, random inspections of Organic farms and packaging facilities occur on a regular basis.

International Organic Quality-Assurance

In order for produce, cotton and other goods to meet the stringent standards of national organic labeling, farmers and producers must earn third-party verification of their compliance with the requirements needed to bear the Organic seal that consumers see. There are many reputable international accredation institutions that will inspect farms and factories and approve or deny these producers the right to bear the "organic" seal according to compliance with agreed-upon international rules for organic farming and production. It is the seal of these independent inspection agencies that power the compliancy that allows marketers to charge the premium they do for organic clothes and foods. Organically-produced food, clothes and meat are more valuable to environmentally-conscious and socially progressive consumers. Organic foods and clothes represent a fast-growing market sector of conscious shopping for a better world.

When we buy organic, everybody wins.