Organic food requirements explained
By Beth Ann Bentley
Organic food has become big business. Although organic items comprise less than 3% of the overall agricultural market, the demand for organic foods has grown over 20% in recent years. Sales could hit over $18 billion this year, with more than half coming from conventional supermarkets. In addition, most of the top-selling brands are now owned by agribusiness mega-giants.
What does “organic” mean?
According to International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), the international organization that regulates and legally enforces the Organic standards in many nations, "The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings."
There are two areas of organic agriculture:
- Farming practices that promote healthy ecosystems and prohibit the use of genetically modified or engineered seeds or crops, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.
- Livestock practices that uphold healthy humanely treated animals. No livestock feed additives, antibiotics, or added growth hormones are used. All animals are provided healthy living conditions.
The basics of organic farming:
Organic farming means following practices that prevent problems. Farmers must maintain strict records of their farming practices. Organic farmers rely on the following:
- Crop rotation, green manure, and composting to replenish and maintain soil health
- Biological pest control
- Mechanical cultivation
The basics of organic livestock management:
- All animals have access to fresh air, clean water, and proper housing
- Cows and other grazing animals must have access to a pasture
- Animals are given 100% organic feed that does not include animal by-products
- No growth hormones
- No antibiotics. Some vaccines are allowed. However, if an animal needs antibiotic treatment, then that animal cannot be sold as organic
- Humane slaughtering practices
- Strict manure management to prevent contamination
About the author: Beth Ann Bentley is the founder and president of iLunchBox.com, an online media company dedicated to the pursuit of a healthy lunch for school-aged children. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Valley Children’s Museum and on the Advisory Education Board of SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture and Education), and she is an enthusiastic volunteer at her children’s school focusing her attention on the Outdoor Classroom and School Garden. Beth Ann has four wonderful school-aged children and is currently finishing her certification as a nutrition educator from Bauman College in Berkeley, Calif.
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