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Insider Information for Organic Shoppers
Christopher Gavigan
Monday, May 04, 2009
Buying organic is a great step to reduce toxins in our bodies and in our environment. Grocery stores tend to do a good job of keeping organic produce separate from the conventionally grown produce, but how can you be 100% sure that some of the conventionally grown produce didn’t end up in the wrong bin? A quick and effective tip: just check the numbers on the produce sticker!
See, all of those pesky stickers you find on your apples, oranges, etc. are part of an international PLU (price look-up) system that grocers use to make check-out and inventory control easier. Now, you can use it to make buy organic stress-free.
Here are three easy rules to remember:
1. Organic produce always starts with the number 9.
2. Conventionally Grown produce always starts with a 3 or a 4.
3. Genetically Modified produce always starts with the number 8.
As for how to make sure the other products you’re buying is organic, simply look for the USDA Certified Organic seal. Just remember the motto, “No Seal, No Deal” and you’ll be fine!
VIA: Detox Your Life
Posted by frugal living john on 05/08/2009 at 05:16 AM
Most organic crops are special varieties that were bred for quality, not quantity. Thus the farmer knows before hand that his yield will be less but he doesn’t care because he is getting paid enough to offset the lower production. A high % of organic growers are relatively new. They are expected to have lower yields while they learn how to farm differently. Growing organic is very different from farming with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, you have to take a completely different approach and it takes awhile to get into the groove. As for web links, I dont know of any off the top of my head, but i would search for terms like:
“organic vs conventional”
“sustainable agriculture”
“sustainable organic agriculture”
Posted by Sandy on 05/05/2009 at 10:53 AM
Great, easy tips. Thank you!
More comments:
Posted by Faye @ Our Family Adventures in Going Green on 05/15/2009 at 08:40 PM
That’s a super easy way to remember how to identify the produce we want in stores. Thanks for the great tips!