Organic refers to the way food is grown and processed. The key to organic farming is the treatment of soil. A living healthy soil produces healthy life-sustaining plants (and food). The key to organic processing (making organic cookies, frozen entrees, babyfood, etc.) is maintaining the organic integrity of the food.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all foods labeled as organic to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how organic food is grown, handled and processed.

For instance, the organic standards prohibit the use of toxic chemicals in favor of pest and weed management practices that work with nature. The standards require that every aspect of crop production is regulated, from land and soil requirements, buying of seeds to pest, weed and disease management. With respect to organic livestock, the organic standards prohibit the use of growth hormones and regulate all aspects of meat and dairy production from healthcare practice and feed, to the animals' living conditions.

In order to get organically certified farmers are inspected annually by third party certifiers for compliance with the organic standards.

Organic processors, those who process or bake with organic ingredients like us, are also inspected annually. The USDA organic standards for processors include evidence of the organic integrity of all ingredients used, compliance with a National List of allowed and prohibited ingredients in the process, facility inspections, record-keeping, sanitation and pest control practices, non-commingling of organic with non-organic food, and so on.

For more information on see the National Organic Program web site.

What does this mean for our health and for the environment?

Organic practices mean for the environment:

• No pesticides to contaminate our soil and water
• No fertilizers to run off and contaminate rivers
• A more sustainable environment for us and for our children

Organic food means for our health:

• Lower pesticide residues in vegetables & fruits
• Healthier plants (and food), because the soil they grow in is healthier
• Organic food is less processed and contains less additives
• No transgenic material (genetically modified food)

What about our children - why is it especially important for them to eat organic food?

1, organic food has long been the standard for human nutrition. It was only after the second World War that many chemicals and hormones were introduced into the food chain. These substances do not have proven long-term safety.

2, children's bodies are different to those of adults: they contain more water, making it easier for water-soluble pesticides to circulate and cause disruption, and children's vital organs are less able to deal with harmful substances.

3, organic food is likely to be less processed and contain less food additives than non-organic foods. But always read the label - just because the sugar is organic doesn't mean there is less of it in the product!

So what do I know when I am in the supermarket holding a conventionally grown russet potato in one hand and a certified organic russet potato in the other?

I know that the soil of the conventional potato has probably had:

• Synthetic fertilizers and an unregulated amount of manure added to it;
• Synthetic insecticides added to it;
• Chemical herbicides added to it to control weeds;

I know that the soil of the certified organic potato has had:

• Compost or a regulated amount of manure added to it;
• Its pest problems controlled using natural means or a substance from an approved list;
• Crop rotation, mulch or hand weeding to control weeds.

But I also know that the organic potato is more expensive...

Organic food does cost more than conventional food. But as production capacity and demand for organic food increase, prices should start to come down.

Sometimes it's hard when the family is on a budget to justify spending the extra money on organic food. But it may help to look beyond the price to the true value of organic food: the longterm health benefits, the fact that the food is less processed, and so on, when making deciding between buying organic and buying conventional. And when it comes to children, there is no doubt that organic will be prove to be far better value in the long run.

The Environmental Working Group, a not-for-profit environmental research organization has published a Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce which lists the 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables that are consistently the most contaminated with pesticides, and those 12 that are consistently low in pesticides. Download Foodnews.org wallet-sized guide in pdf format.

What about buying locally - why is that good for me and the environment?

Food in the US travels on average 1,300 miles from farm to table. Most of the fresh produce grown in the US comes from California, Florida and Washington. Local organic food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances. As the growing season in the northeast is very short it helps to know where you can buy locally grown organic produce and when the various fruits and vegetables come into season.

Many organic farms run a CSA, or community supported agriculture program whereby you pay a lump sum in advance and get a box of seasonal produce delivered to you weekly during the growing season, typically June to October. Additionally, you can visit your local farmers' markets where many organic farms sell their wares.

For a full list of organic farms, CSA programs and farmers' markets listings in Massachusetts visit www.nofamass.org/programs.

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