Only products with at least 70% of organic ingredients are able to make organic claims and boast the USDA organic seal. The categories created by the USDA distinguish between the percentage of organic ingredients in food products in the following manner:
100% ORGANIC. All content is certified organic.
ORGANIC. At least 95% of content by weight, excluding water and salt, is organic.
MADE WITH ORGANIC. If at least 70% of content is organic the main product panel may display the phrase "Made with Organic" followed by up to 3 specific ingredients.
Products containing less than 70% organic content may identify current content only on the product's ingredient list.
What is organic food labeling?
Organic is the way agricultural products are grown and processed. It includes a system of production, processing, distribution and sales that assures consumers that the products maintain the organic integrity that begins on the farm. Effective on October of 2002, U.S. organic standards were instituted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For the consumer the goal of the National Organic Standards is to make organic labeling consistent, clarify different categories of organic foods, and provide assurance of product integrity. The standards are expects to expand the marketing of organic products and support the credibility of U.S. organic agriculture.
What is retro-farming?
The Eat Real Food lifestyle is based on the retro-farming philosophy. Retro-farming refers to the 'good old days' of natural foods, when there was transparency in food products, with the processing unit being right on the farm. Ethical and sustainable farming practices that are honest to nature's goodness are the heart of retro-farming. Many small farmers follow a retro-farming philosophy, however they lack the financial resources for the legalities and paperwork required to label their produce organic. It is imperative that small operators are not marginalized and unduly excluded from the organic sector due to factors beyond their control. Standards must allow for local equivalence and certification systems must be innovative and cost efficient enough to address smallholders’ situation worldwide. Individuals that follow this philosophy often opt to grow their own food for the health of their families are also considered retro-farmers. Retro-farming is about doing the right thing for the planet by replenishing the soil through sustainable methods and practices. If you can't grow your own food, take time to visit your local farmers market and get to know your local farmers by visiting their farm. It is very likely that they are retro-farmers working the land respectfully and that is just as organic as the 'organic' label.
RETRO-FARMER ::SPOTLIGHT::
RAY HACKETT
Eat Real Food would like to thank Ray for his continued commitment to villagers in Eastern Asia. His family has been involved in Myanmar since 1913. Ray has taken his work at his US farm to Hmawbi. After the cyclone 3 years ago, 180,000 farmers and farm hands were killed by the tidal surge. Many farms lost all of their farm help and went out of business, others cut back on production. Ray realized they were spending hours hauling water out of hand dug wells to water their crops. He used drip irrigation at his farm and realized that would help the farmers in Burma, now called Myanmar.
We are with you Ray!
Click here to learn more about Ray's mission. If you'd like to donate towards his effort, donations can be made under our Spread The Love page.
