What does organic really mean? The Distracted Cook answers your question.

 
Dear Distracted Cook:

What does organic really mean?  Some labels look different and it certainly costs a lot more. 

Thanks,

B

Dear B:

The term organic can be both confusing and simple.  Something that is 100% (and the "100%" will be clearly indicated on the packaging) meets the following criteria - completely:

Organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones. (www.organic.org)

However, there may be product in the organic section of your store that is just 95% or 70% organic, too.  If it is less than 70% organic, then, it cannot make special claims on the front of the box to lure you into thinking it is truly organic.  (This is the confusing part). 

You mentioned the cost.  There are many products, coffee for example, that do not cost more than non-organic products.  As more people demand organic, the costs overall should decrease.  However, consider this: (again from Organic.org):

?Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do. Therefore, the price of organic food reflects the true cost of growing.
?The price of conventional food does not reflect the cost of environmental cleanups that we pay for through our tax dollars.
?Organic farming is more labor and management intensive.
?Organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms and so do not benefit from the economies of scale that larger growers get.

I hope this clarifies your question.  I have provided more information for you to consider, as well as sources for good organic grocers in the Twin Cities area:

Community Supported Agriculture (Farms plus Twin Cities drop-off sites):  http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/csa.html

Minnesota-Grown (the big website for all locally grown foods)
http://www3.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown/

Co-Op Grocery Directory for Minnesota
http://www.coopdirectory.org/directory.htm#Minnesota

Many local grocers like Kowalski's, Lunds, Byerly's and Fresh Seasons Markets also carry a considerable amount of organic product.  Some of Costco's inventory is moving towards organic product. Consider local butchers as well. 

Rebecca's Links:

Vegetarian Recipes from The Minneapolis Cooking Examiner

Studies show glass of organic orange juice isn't as healthy as you would like to think - it has one gram less of sugar that a Coke does - according to Hooked on Juice.  Consider locally distributed Yoli - no artificial sweeteners and 10 calories when water isn't going to cut it for you. 

Working all day and finding no good lunch options near work?  Hold a custom lunchtime workshop for your company and increase positive productivity and decrease waistlines in 2010!