Becoming Organic:

The Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle

            You’ve probably seen the word “organic” and the USDA Organic symbol on certain food products and wondered what it stands for and if you can be certain that the food you’re buying is certified organic.

If you’re new to the world of organics, much of the information from print and media sources can be overwhelming and sometimes difficult to understand. When it comes to organic facts and data, there’s a positive side on one end and a negative spin on the other, with the consumer caught in the middle. At Sunshine Farm Organics, our goal is to provide simple and accurate information to help understand the healthy, yet sometimes complex, world of organics.

Let’s break it down. The word “organic” simply means that a product—whether it’s produce, dairy, meat, or packaged goods—is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics (growth hormones), additives, or chemicals. There are three classifications to consider when buying organic products: 100% Organic, Organic, and Made with Organic Ingredients.

                Say you’re walking down the aisle in the grocery store and you see three boxes of cookies on the shelf. One box clearly states that the product is “Made with Organic Ingredients”. This means that the product contains at least 70-94% organic ingredients. (Anything less than 70% is not considered organic, and should be considered when determining if the product is right for you and your family.) Although this particular product does carry the USDA Organic label, it can list up to three organic ingredients on its packaging.

The next box of cookies is labeled “Organic”, indicating that it has 95-99% organic ingredients. While this product is allowed to display the USDA Organic seal, it has at least 1% of ingredients that were not available organically. These non-organic ingredients are allowed by the National Organic Program (NOP) certification. [i](NOP develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards.)

The final box states that the product within is “100% Organic” and bears the USDA Organic seal, which means that all ingredients within are certified organic and packaged within organic guidelines. When shopping for 100% organic products, make sure that you look for the USDA Organic label.

            So, now that you have a bit more insight into the way organic products are labeled, let’s leave the cookie isle and take a trip around the grocery store to discover the easy way to pinpoint and purchase other organic items.

            We begin our journey in the produce department. This section is easy since produce is farmed using either conventional or organic methods. Here are the differences:

            In addition to the reasons listed above, there are also many fruits considered “dirty” from pesticides used in conventional farming. Peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, grapes, carrots, and pears are fruits and vegetables that are “dirty” compared to other produce. Why spend time trying to make sure your produce is clean and healthy when the simple solution is to buy organic.

            Pesticide-free organic produce also contains up to 50 percent more vitamins and minerals, which is beneficial to both adults and children. When preparing infant or toddler food at home, you want only the best ingredients. Splurging a little extra at the organic market goes a long way at home and in your body.

            Moo-ving on, we come to the dairy department. Here is where one of the fastest growing organic products is stocked: milk! You see, milk does a body good, especially a young body! When it’s organic milk, it’s really good! Why? Because organic milk comes from cows that are not injected with antibiotics and added hormones. In fact, it is prohibited! Happy cows make better milk, and better milk makes healthier kids! In order for cows to be happy, the organic dairy farms are smaller than conventional farms. This makes living conditions better for the animals. The cows on the dairy farms are free to roam around and graze amongst the pastures.

            Well, you say, what if my child is lactose intolerant. I want him/her to be nutritionally balanced but even the organic milk causes an upset stomach. Please check the sidebar in our “Dairy Farm” on different types of milk, as there are many other choices besides cow’s milk.

            We didn’t forget about the chickens and their eggs. Organic eggs are produced from free-range chickens, meaning that the chickens get to roam around the farm as opposed to being locked in cages. They eat organically, too. Because of these practices, the chickens produce eggs that have higher levels of Vitamin B and Omega-3’s, which are crucial for a child’s development.

            From the dairy department we find our way to the meat department. Shopping for meat can be intimidating. From ground beef to bison, chicken to turkey, there are many options to try. Organic meats and poultry do not contain antibiotics and growth hormones, which conventional farmers use to “beef up” their animals for more meat. The animals raised on organic farms are fed organic-only diets. The animals can be grass-fed, like the cows on the dairy farms, and the chickens can be raised cage-free and free-range, which you‘ve learned from buying organic eggs. Here are a few benefits to organic meats and poultry:

- lower in calories and have better good-to-bad fat ratios

 - If the animals are healthier, the meat will be healthier

 -There are no antibiotics or toxins for you to consume

            Keeping up? At first, all this information can be overwhelming. Take it one-step at a time. Start out going organic with your fruits and veggies. Next, introduce organic milk and eggs into your diet. Solicit the help of your grocery store’s meat department for the best choices of meat and poultry for your organic menu. The rest is simple. When you shop the store for your packaged items, remember to read the labels, and look for the USDA Organic symbol to be sure that the products you’re buying are 100% organic.

            Whether you’re dabbling in the organic scene or ready to commit to a lifestyle of healthy choices, we’re here to help you. So, if you need to, re-read some key points, ask lots of questions at the grocery store, and even email us with your questions and concerns. Now, let’s go make some organic choices!