Help in understanding organic vs conventionally grown

[Gelis]

I stopped at a farmers market and asked the gentlemen if his stuff was organic or conventional. He started spouting off about it depended on which type of organic and some are certified, some aren't. :confused:

He must of lectured me on the subject 5 minutes and I have to say I understood practily (spelling) and just simply left more confused than ever.

Please someone with knowledge of this subject enlighten me.

[Gelis]

bumping up

[Goldenrod]

Sounds like he needs to work on his sales pitch. The farmer's market I go to has growers who are conventional, organic and ecological. Ecological growers are organic, but not certified (at least that's what they call it around here). I know several and they have chosen not to be certified in protest of the current organic standards, which they believe aren't strong enough. They grow their products with their own standards which are stricter than the organic standards. Most sellers are more than willing to tell you how they grow their food and if someone won't I'd move on to another booth.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I think the certification makes it harder for some growers. Plus they have to pay fees to be certified so they pass the cost along in their prices to consumers.

For instance, The Date People are no longer certified due to the costs involved, however they use no pesticides and are very eco and environmentally sound in their practices.

Then there are those who are trying to grow organic but they are in transition because their soil is still bad. I believe it takes quite a few years before they can be completely organic when the soil finally turns around.

Not sure what else he was trying to tell you but that is what I know on the subject. Hope that helped.

[Lay-Lay]

Theres organic certified (meets or exceeds standards for organic

Theres organic non-certified (uses no chemicals or pesticides or minimial)

Coventional (sprays chemicals or pesticides)

[luckitri]

I need alot of learning on that one also. I read somewhere recently that even certified cannot be a sure thing cause the pesticides can blow in from a neighboring field. For many years I thought organic was bogus because the water will carry the pesticides everywhere - when it evaporates - when it rains. I am hoping that organic becomes the norm and lower priced. I was in a local alternative food chain (I guess like Wild Oats) today and they had the exact same brand white coconuts that I get at the asian market - for twice the price! They aren't organic but still... Meanwhile the store that I always get my cold-pressed olive oil from has quit selling their own brand....I am wondering if they found something wrong with it or if they were just having it made at a loss in order to draw customers into their chain. I went to the competitor across the street and found a Wild Oats brand of cold pressed organic olive oil! This chain is newer and is called Henry's.

[Narz]

Organic is more than just unsprayed, it means the farmers do not use chemicals and pesticides dervied from fossil fuel in their soils. Organic produce generally has alot more minerals than non-oraganic (because it is grown in superior soil).

However, many farmers grow the organic way without being certified. Regardless you'll almost always find better produce at farmer's markets even if it's not certified organic. :)

[alex]

Try to buy organic at all costs.

By definition, organic farmers are not allowed to use sewage sludge as fertilizer!!!

That was the deciding factor for me.

Many conventional veggies and fruits are free of pesticide residues but I sure don't want the sewage sludge!!


alex