Farmer Focus Organic Food

Purchasing Organic Food at Sam's Club: Buying Guide

What to Consider When Buying Organic Food

What is organic food?

Organic food is grown, tended and harvested using different practices than conventional farming. Unlike conventional food, organic groceries must meet specific and strict requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These organic standards are what have been used to determine the currently accepted organic food definition.

What makes organic food different from other food?

Food and other agricultural products bearing the USDA organic seal must be "produced through approved methods. These methods integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity," according to the Organic Foods Production Act.

Organic food production involves more than growing fruits and vegetables that are pesticide-free. And it means more than raising free-range and grass-fed animals.

More specifically, organic farmers cannot:

• Add synthetic fertilizers to the soil
• Use sewage sludge as fertilizer
• Apply most man-made or synthetic pesticides for pest control
• Grow organic products using genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Use irradiation techniques for food preservation

If products are classified as organic livestock and organic dairy, organic farming practices used must include:

• Providing organic feed for animals
• Practicing ethical animal welfare by allowing animals to pasture feed
• Avoiding the use of growth hormones and antibiotics

Before organic crops, organic meat and organic dairy products are officially Certified Organic, the farm where they're produced must pass a detailed inspection. An accredited organic certifying agent performs a thorough inspection before any agricultural operation can add "organic" to their food labels. Inspections are done annually and include every step of organic farming practices from start to finish.

Is organic food healthier for you?

Because the popularity of organic products has grown exponentially over the last decade, research studies are in full force. To date, the long-term health benefits of organic food are still not completely known.

According to the Mayo Clinic, current evidence is limited. But the medical center does report that new research suggests organic foods may have some additional health benefits compared to conventional food:

• Some types of organic produce have more nutrients, specifically antioxidants.
• Organic fruits and vegetables have lower levels of pesticide residues.
• Organic grains and organic cereals have been found to have much lower amounts of the toxic metal cadmium, which is found in soil.
• Better farming practices have led to an increase in omega-3 fatty acids found in organic dairy, eggs and organic meat.

It's important to note that although the USDA regulates the organic foods industry, a USDA seal doesn't mean foods are more healthy.

What are the benefits of organic food?

There are many benefits to having organic food selections like those available at Sam's Club. One very important benefit: organic agriculture, an environmentally friendly farming solution.

Organic farming is beneficial because it uses sustainable techniques. This includes crop rotation, companion planting, cover crops and the use of green manure. Together these practices increase soil fertility naturally and reduce the likelihood of soil erosion.

By using natural pest management organic farmers increase biodiversity. Natural pollinators thrive. Birds and other animals are not in danger of pesticide poisoning. And natural soil organisms live to add beneficial nutrients to the soil.

Many organic agricultural operations also use renewable resources. Organic farms often operate using solar panels, natural gas and wind power. Organic farming practices also conserves more water than conventional farming.

What food can be considered organic?

To be considered organic, food must meet the USDA standards mentioned above. The guidelines for food labels and describing food as "organic" are also very specific:

• "100 percent organic" label: May be used for individual foods such as meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables that are USDA-certified organic. Any product with more than one ingredient can be labeled 100 percent organic only if every ingredient is certified organic. These products may use the USDA seal on all packaging.
• "Organic" product label: Products containing more than one ingredient may use this label if 95 percent or more of the ingredients are certified as organic. All nonorganic ingredients must be listed on the USDA approved list. Products meeting the organic label criteria may use the USDA seal.
• "Made with organic" product label: This may be used for multi-ingredient foods with at least 70 percent of the ingredients certified organic. "Made with organic" products cannot use the USDA seal on packaging.
• "Organic ingredients" product label: This applies to all multi-ingredient foods that have less than 70 percent of certified organic ingredients. In this case, the ingredients that are certified will be listed as organic on the product ingredient list.

Is organic food more expensive?

When the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) started, food products considered organic were sold at higher prices. Now, after more than 20 years, USDA certified organic food products are more and more cost-effective as more conventional farming switches to organic farming practices. And with Sam's Club's exclusive member prices, organic foods are less expensive than those you'll find at many other organic food stores.

What brands of organic food Does Sam's Club Sell?

At Sam's Club, we have a wide-ranging selection of organic food. Not only do we carry many different types of organic products under our own Member's Mark brand, but we also carry organic products from other brands: (Certified USDA Organic)

• Seeds of Change
• Honest Kids
• GoGo SqueeZ
• Cascadian Farm
• Nature Nate's
• Annie's
• Nature's Earthly Choice
• Wholesome Organic
• Bigelow
• Newman's Own Organics
• Horizon Organic
• So Delicious
• Bolthouse Farms
• Premium Gold
• Wella Organics
• Lonely Olive Tree
• Tresomega Nutrition
• Harvest Stone
• Heinz

Where can I buy organic food near me?

At Sam's Club, you'll find a variety of certified organic fruits and vegetables. We also carry organic dairy products such as milk and brown eggs. Other organic products available at Sam's Club include:

• Organic beef
• Organic chicken broth
• Organic pasta
• Organic maple syrup
• Organic granola
• Organic coffee
• Organic milk
• Organic spices
• Organic olive oil
• Organic coconut oil
• Organic baby food

FAQ: Organic Food

Does food imported from other countries need to meet the organic certification guidelines?

Yes. The National Organic Program (NOP) works to enforce the national list of allowed and prohibited substances. The NOP also establishes and monitors "organic trade agreements with representatives of foreign governments."

Is organic food safe?

When it comes to food safety, organic food is no more or less safe than conventional food. Normal food safety practices should still be used when handling organic foods. All organic produce should be washed before consuming or used for cooking. Any organic meat (beef, poultry, pork, etc.) should be cooked thoroughly and handled according to package directions.

Is organic food free from all pesticides?

Organic farmers may use several approved natural pesticides. Organic farms that are members of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) are encouraged to limit the use of any natural pesticides.

Does organic fruit last longer than regular fruit?

Organic fruits are not treated with the typical preservatives and waxes used unconventional produce. For that reason, organic fruit may spoil slightly faster than regular fruit.

Is produce from farmers' markets organic?

Many farmers who sell produce at a farmer's market may use organic production techniques. Others sell conventional produce. If you follow an organic diet, make sure to check with the vendor before purchasing.