Janet Hightower
Teach Organic Living

Organic for Life

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Websites:

• http://www.organic.org/

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• MSN: jhtower@hotmail.com

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What Is Organic Food? What is organic food? Organic foods are any foods that are naturally grown from seeds that contain their original genetic instructions, have not been genetically modified, are raised in an environment free from pesticides or chemical additives (in the case of livestock or other animal products such as dairy, fish or eggs), and are delivered from where it was grown with as little handling, packaging, and processing as possible, fresh and pure like Nature made it.

When you are looking for whole and natural foods online, you are really looking for organically grown...[more]

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What Is Organic Food? What is organic food? Organic foods are any foods that are naturally grown from seeds that contain their original genetic instructions, have not been genetically modified, are raised in an environment free from pesticides or chemical additives (in the case of livestock or other animal products such as dairy, fish or eggs), and are delivered from where it was grown with as little handling, packaging, and processing as possible, fresh and pure like Nature made it.

When you are looking for whole and natural foods online, you are really looking for organically grown foods and healthy produce. It's not only the food itself, but how it was produced, that determines whether it is organic or not.

The foods that are allowed to be called organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and are minimally processed to keep the food as wholesome as possible without artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation.

Until recently, the term "organic foods" would also mean whole foods, not foods that have been processed and packaged for consumers. But since the late 1900's, a growing (no pun intended!) demand for whole and natural foods has created many great new companies that are doing their best to provide nutritious, natural foods that are packaged or frozen, to make meal preparation easy, healthy, and best of all -- really tasty.

To my way of thinking all organic foods are gourmet foods (although there might be some disagreement about this, since it's a purely personal bias on my part.) The definition of gourmet foods is discussed on another page at this site.

You will find references here to organic food companies, organic farms, organic gardening resources, organic gourmet restaurants, as well as other resources to help you find great organic gourmet foods, because we want to make it easy for you to find the delicious, healthy foods you want -- in any of the forms you like.

Whether you want it

✔ delivered to your table in a restaurant

✔ picked fresh from a local farmer or from your farmers' market

✔ delivered to your door through a C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture, where typically you can "buy shares" of a season's crops, which are then delivered directly to you or a central distribution area from the organic growers on a weekly basis throughout the growing season)

✔ or grown in your very own organic garden and prepared in your own gourmet kitchen

We want to offer you all the information that you need to find exactly what you want. If you know of other resources you don't see listed here, please share it with us, so that we can add it to our resource lists.

In case you're wondering, though, here is the official definition of what organic foods are, from NOSB (National Organic Standards Board, the organization responsible for certifying whether foods can be labeled organic or not):

"Organic is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

Further, in order for any foods to be labeled "Certified Organic" the foods have to be grown according to strict uniform standards which are verified by an independent state or private organization. Certification includes, for example, inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the strict standards that have been set.

A field where crops are grown must not have been subjected to synthetic chemicals or fertilizers for a minimum of seven years; livestock may not be given growth hormones or antibiotics, and often must be raised in a much cleaner and healthier environment than other livestock (free-range chickens, for example, which may not be kept in pens or confined to coops.)

The dictionary definition of organic reads:

"of, relating to, or derived from living organisms; raised without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals; simple, healthful and closest to nature.

Generally speaking, organic foods will contain more of what you DO want in food, and less of what you do NOT want. The organic foods you eat will contain more life force than anything that has been subjected to synthetic chemicals in any form, for any reason.

Look at it this way: how would YOU feel if you were raised with synthetic chemicals inside and all around you for your entire life? Most of us would get sick. What makes us think, then, that we can ingest foods that contain these substances, many of them classified as poisons, and believe that they will not harm us? It's actually pretty scary if you think about it.

Chances are, if you are on this page, you already know a lot about organic foods and why they are great. You may even be a devoted fan like I am.

But in case this whole thing is new to you, then you are also in the right place. We will try to explain as clearly as possible what is and is not considered organic, and why that matters.

We believe in wholesome, great tasting foods that create an extraordinary dining experience for you and your whole family, whatever your special interests or dietary needs and preferences. [less]