Organic foods are grown without chemical pesticides on farmland that is free of chemicals. The United States Department of Agriculture oversees the National Organic Program, which regulates organic farming standards in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. Organic meats come from organically managed livestock that are not fed slaughter by-products, steroids or antibiotics and feed off pastures, hay and grain concentrates. Organic dairy products come from organic farms and are chemical free.
Fruits & Vegetables
Organic fruits and vegetables do not look as perfect as produce that has been farmed using chemical pesticides to kill all the parasites and bugs that feed on the plants. Organic fruits may have wormholes or other imperfections, but they are chemical and pesticide free.
In order for fruits and vegetables to meet the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) organic standards, they must meet specific requirements for each type of crop or product. Organic crops are grown on land that is free of prohibited substances (chemicals) for at lease three years.
All produce have varying production requirements such as seed sources, soil fertility, planting, irrigation, pest management, diseases, nematodes, viruses, weeds, harvest and storage, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
