Wait... You're certified what now?

Food labels can be confusing.  How can you distinguish between meaningful information and marketing gimmicks?  It's a little easier at the farmers' market, where you are interacting with the farmers directly and can get a straight answer!  But there are still all sorts of labels and certifications floating around, some of which you may or may not be familiar with:

USDA Organic:  This label means that the grower (a) complies with the National Organic Program standards for production inputs (e.g. seeds, fertilizer, pesticides) and production methods (e.g. does not use genetic engineering), and (b) has completed the third-party certification process, including record-keeping, application, inspection, and payment of fees.  The process can take up to three years, depending on the history of the farm before seeking certification.  Current law restricts labeling of products as "organic" to only those farms certified USDA Organic.

Certified Naturally Grown:  The CNG label is a grassroots alternative to USDA Organic, providing local peer-review certification rather than paid third-party inspection.  The standards are essentially the same as the National Organic Program, but CNG is designed to support small-scale farmers who sell directly to consumers.  Although Certified Naturally Grown farms are using organic practices, they are not permitted to label their products "organic."

Certified Animal Welfare Approved:  This label from the nonprofit organization A Greener World "lets consumers know farm animals are raised outdoors on pasture or range in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards in the U.S. and Canada, using sustainable agriculture methods on an independent farm. Consumer Reports has rated Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW as a 'highly meaningful' label for farm animal welfare, outdoor access and sustainability—and the only animal welfare certification in which they have confidence."

Seeing these types of certifications proudly displayed by our vendors is a quick and easy way to confirm that a farmer is doing things in a way that aligns with your values.  But it's important to remember that not seeing the labels does not have the opposite implication!  Many vegetable farmers choose to use organic methods whenever possible, and many livestock farmers choose to raise animals as humanely as possible, but not everyone goes through the expense and paperwork of official certification.  The best way to find out just how your food is raised is to ask the farmer!  And since we're a producers-only market, all of our vendors are directly involved in growing, raising, or making what they're selling.

Kristen

Farmer Foodshare

For more information, visit their website at www.farmerfoodshare.org.