March 1998
While the health food market in general is gaining great popularity, leading manufacturers are using the words "natural, wholesome, home-made, healthy, etc." There is concern that no-one knows what these words really mean and that anyone can re-label their existing food product as natural with a nice green colour and farm field in the background.
From the outset, the term organic has very specific requirements as defined in the last column. One reader called me to ask: "How do I know that the food is really organic?" Others ask: "Are there different degrees of organic?"
The answer is quite straight forward. The organic industry promotes one standard: it is fully organic or not at all. If you are not personally certain about a product’s integrity, then buy "certified organic" food.
Organic producers label their product as organic with knowledge, pride and integrity. Their customers should know them personally and show them the confidence they deserve. But in many situations, the producer and consumer may meet anonymously at a market without that relationship of confidence, or the they may never meet at all because of a lengthy processing and distribution channel.
To fill that void of confidence, the organic food market has implemented a process called certification. Several non-governmental certification agencies exist, such as the Organic Crop Producers and Processors (Tel: 705-324-2709). Some agencies are farmers’ co-operatives, others are not-for-profit companies, and others are for-profit private firms. While they exist to certify organic products, they are also a source of knowledge, counselling and training on organic production methods.
The agencies publish detailed specifications governing the production, processing and packaging of organic food. The standards are quite similar from one agency to another although there are subtle differences in certain details.
The Canadian and US governments are currently working on common national organic standards that would have the force of law accompanied by enforcement provisions. These standards would facilitate international trade and provide consumers with a greater degree of confidence in the integrity of the organic food that they are purchasing. Until then, consumers must rely on the reputation of the certification agency shown on the package label.
To be certified, a producer must choose a certification agency based on the quality of the contact with the personnel, the fee structure, the range of services, and the preferred agency of the producer’s customers. Each year, the producer completes an application form, pays a fee and has his/her operation inspected. The inspection involves a visit to each field, perhaps a soil sample to verify for chemical residues, a review of the producer’s production and financial records and a discussion of the producer’s production methods.
If the agency approves the producer’s application, then it will issue a certificate of organic production. That certificate serves to prove the product’s integrity to the producer’s customers. The producer can then label his/her products as "certified organic".
In the production of field crops, it takes three years without the use of synthetic inputs before a field can be certified organic. During this transitional period, the producer practices organic methods but his/her product cannot be considered as organic. With the organic soybean price out of reach for many buyers, some are turning to "transitional" soybeans as an interim measure.
Consumers should seek "certified organic" products where they are available, and especially if they have any doubt. Producers should certify their operation in order to reach a wide range of customers and to help themselves learn more about and to fully implement organic production methods.
Most of the organic food processed and consumed in Eastern Ontario is imported. To make our region more self sufficient and to provide revenue opportunities to producers, three organizations have joined forces: Homestead Organics, Canadian Organic Growers and Organic Crop Producers and Processors. They are executing a broad promotion program to recruit more organic producers in all food categories. You can visit their booth at the Ottawa Farm Show or watch for their advertisements.
The Ecological Farmers Association is hosting training courses for producers in Kemptville in March: Introduction to organic field crop production, Introduction to organic small fruit production, and Introduction to organic dairy production. Although the course date may have lapsed by the time of this printing, call anyway to get on a waiting list for the next course. Call Janet Duncan (613) 256-2933 for information and registration.
A contribution by Tom Manley
President of Homestead Organics