A section for organic fresh produce has become a staple offering in many grocery stores, but organic canned fruits and vegetables — and much more — are now finding their way onto the shelves.
In fact, you could fill your entire shopping cart with organic items.
“We eat conventional food, too,” said Laura Endres, of Davis, who has been an organic grower and shopper for several years. “I’ve been known to have a cart full of 90 percent organic produce with a couple boxes of junkie cereal and frozen pizzas thrown in. I’ve learned not to be overly demanding about it.”
Organic products started out on small, family-owned farms but gained popularity in the 1990s and, according to the Organic Trade Association, their market has grown about 20 percent each year for the past several years. The increase led the United States Department of Agriculture to adopt national standards for organic foods in October 2002 and the trade association predicts daily use of organic foods will be common by 2025.
To be classified as organic, produce must be grown without using chemical pesticides, artificial or chemical fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge, cannot be genetically modified and cannot be processed using ionized radiation or food additives. Animals may not be injected with antibiotics or growth hormones.
Karen King, owner of Choices Natural Market at 6551 E. Riverside Blvd., said she and her husband visit the farms that raise the animals for meat at the store.
“We know the farmers,” she said. “We know what they’re doing.”
Endres also said knowing the food source is important. She grows up to three gardens every summer and visits farmers’ markets.
“You see where your money goes,” Endres said. “You connect with folks who have your best interests at heart, and you just learn a lot by talking to them. If you aren’t sure how to cook something, just ask. With the Internet, it’s easy to learn how to prepare different vegetables.”
Labels are also important in finding organic foods and products that advertise themselves as “all natural” aren’t necessarily organic.
Farmers and food manufacturers who sell products as organic must be USDA-certified as meeting its standards on growing or production and, to be able to display a USDA Organic label, at least 95 percent of a food’s ingredients must have been organically produced.
Going organic can easily become a family affair by taking kids on trips to farmers’ markets or to a local farm.
Help in finding organic products through special order is available by calling Karen King at 815-282-1861. More information about organic foods is available online at mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/00255.
Here is a sampling of organic products available in the Rock River Valley:
Valli Produce, 6550 N. Alpine Road
Organicville salad dressing, $3.59/8 oz., flavor choices include Sesame Goddess, Herbs de Provence, and Non-Dairy Ranch
Land O’ Lakes eggs, $3.49/dozen
Hilander, CherryVale Mall location
PAM canola oil cooking spray, $3.89/5 oz. can
Private Selection canola or olive oil cooking spray, $3.99/5 oz. can
Domino sugar, $2.53/24 oz. bag
Private Selection powdered sugar, $2.69/16 oz. bag
Private Selection brown sugar, $2.69/24 oz. bag
Woodman’s, 3155 McFarland Road
Yucatan guacamole, $4.99/10 oz. jar
Lakewood pomegranate juice,$3.49/32 oz.
Full Circle microwave popcorn, $1.99 for 3 bags
EnviroKids organic cereals, $4.09/13.25 oz. box
Country Choice cookies, $3.39/12 oz. package, vanilla or chocolate sandwich creams
320 Store, 320 N. Church St.
Bella Terra pasta sauce, $4.49/26 oz. jar, choices include roasted garlic, tomato basil, and spicy arrabbiata
Delallo pasta, penne rigate or rigatoni, $2.39/16 oz. bag
Caramel dip, $3.99/10 oz. tub
GenSoy chocolate pudding, $3.79/four-cup pack
Ah! Laska chocolate syrup, $5.49/22 oz. bottle
Choices Natural Market, 6551 E. Riverside Blvd.
Per pound in serve-yourself dispensers: rolled oats, $. 99; white basmati rice, $2.49; sunflower seeds, $1.99; navy beans, $1.59; pinto beans, $1.29; kidney beans, $1.69
Toaster pastries, $5/two 11 oz. boxes
Rising Moon Organics macaroni and cheese, $1.99/6 oz. box
Health benefits of organic foods
Lower pesticide levels; conventional farming uses more than 400 different pesticides
Higher nutrient levels; organic foods contain higher levels of antioxidants
Safer for children, who get more exposure to pesticide levels because of their smaller size and lower body weight
Organic foods may not be genetically modified and food additives are prohibited
Organic farming doesn’t use artificial fertilizers
Source: cyberparent.com/organic-food
Some area farmers’ markets
Colonial Village Mall Farmers Market, 1240 S. Alpine Road, Rockford, Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through October, 815-395-8000.
Edgebrook Farmers Market, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 7 through Oct. 31, 815-226-0212.
Main Street Square Farmers Market, 5310 Williams Drive, Roscoe, Thursdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May through October, 815-623-9065.
North End Commons Farmers Market, parking lot behind La Di Da at 1416 N. Main St. (Main and Auburn streets), Rockford, Saturdays May 17 through October, 815-962-1234.
Perryville Farmers Market, S. Perryville and Mill roads behind Panera Bread Co., Rockford, Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 7 through Sept. 20, 815-229-3000.
River District Farmers Market (formerly Prairie Hill Neighborhood Farmers Market), YMCA of Rock River Valley south parking lot, 215 Y Boulevard, Rockford, Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Trinity Lutheran Church Learning Center lot, 210 N. First St., Rockford, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 27 through Oct. 25, 815-963-1824.
Winnebago County Health Department Farmers Market, days and dates TBA, 401 Division St., Rockford, 815-720-4213.
Hazzard Free Farms, CSA: Community Supported Agriculture, pick your own, vegetables, fruit, flowers. Subscriptions available. Work 3 hours on the farm and get your veggies free that week. Contact Andy Hazzard at 815-289-1431 or andywildcountry@msn.com.
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