Organic foods are grown and processed using methods that are healthier for you and for the environment.

The USDA Organic seal on a food item is voluntary but not meaningless. The USDA Organic label means that food has been processed according to government standards and at least 95 percent of the ingredients are organically produced. Products that are entirely organic will have a label that says 100 percent organic.

A government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the product came from before a product receives the organic label.

By definition, organic foods are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, irradiation techniques, and bioengineering (a practice which resulted in the term Frankenfoods). The adverse health effects of many pesticides are unknown or uncertain, but by choosing organic, consumers are ingesting fewer chemicals. Studies have shown that people who eat an all-organic diet have fewer of the chemicals tested for present in their bodies.

There is concern over meat and dairy products that come from animals who have been given antibiotics and hormones. Organic dairy products and meat come from animals who have not been administered antibiotics or hormones.

Organic farming techniques leave fewer pesticides and chemicals in waterways and soil, and encourage conservation.

There are a few reasons why organic foods are priced higher than conventional foods. Some retailers say that organics don't sell as quickly as other food. Certainly in some areas there might not be high demand for organic foods. There are administrative costs farmers have to pay in order to get organic certification. Organic practices don't entail the use of chemical fertilizers so there are natural techniques used which can be more labor intensive, such as spreading mulch and rotating crops. While these practices lead to fewer chemicals used on your food, it also puts the farmer at risk of losing more of the crop, which could drive prices up.

If you don't want to pay more for all of your groceries, there are studies that show which fruits and vegetables harbor more pesticides. The "dirty dozen" as designated by the Environmental Working Group include peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach, and potatoes. Buy these items as organic when you can.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or bioengineered foods are food items, such as soybeans or squash, that have been genetically altered in some way. Concern arises over the fact that processed foods containing a genetically modified ingredient are not labeled as such, and the technology is new so it has not been thoroughly tested.

The Organic Materials Review Institute says: "The use of genetically engineered organisms or their products are prohibited in any form or at any stage in organic production, processing, or handling."

While buying organic foods is gaining in popularity, there is another food movement taking place-buying local. Some localvores consider purchasing local foods to be more important than buying organic foods. (Though often food produced by small local farmers is organic too.) There are several benefits to buying locally. Our food travels an average of 1500 miles to get to our tables. By supporting local agriculture, your food travels fewer miles, leaving less pollution and waste in its tracks. Local food is seasonal, which tends to be more flavorful. Farmers markets exist throughout the country.

USDA information on organic foods

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