Buying Organic Food

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Organic Food: Local, Fair Trade and Sustainable

Organic food has become increasingly popular in recent years, along with other food trends such as local and sustainable agriculture. Our Organic Food Web Guide shows you how and where to shop for local and sustainable organic food products. Also get resources for growing your own organic food, and find information on locating restaurants and foodies that specialize in socially responsible eating.

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Organic Food Basics

Get the lowdown on organic food basics and other socially responsible food trends, ... read more »

Buying Organic Food

These sites help you find the farms, stores and restaurants that serve socially responsible food, and make buying organic food a cinch.

Insights for Buying Organic Food

If you buy organic peaches in December but live in Alaska, your fruit was likely grown thousands of miles away. The carbon footprint of transporting produce is also something to think about: Buying organic, seasonal produce can make a big difference for the environment.

The best way to support local vendors is to participate in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. CSAs let you buy a membership in a farm share. Products are set aside for CSA members, and you get a box of whatever's in season.

Top Sites for Buying Organic Food

For finding markets and stores to buy organic food near you ...

Local Harvest is arguably the most extensive nationwide resource for finding socially responsible food. Find a directory of CSAs, farmers markets and organic/natural food stores across the U.S., or order food online.

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Whole Foods is an excellent source for buying organic and natural foods with about 200 stores nationwide. Use the site's store locator to find a store near you.

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Trader Joe's is a popular nationwide supermarket that features a largely organic and sustainable inventory. Learn about Trader Joe's products, philosophy and where to find a store near you to buy organic food.

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To buy organic food and have it delivered to your door ...

Diamond Organics delivers all things organic to your door overnight. Stick to the product categories at the top of the page for easy browsing.

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Heritage Foods USA offers traditional livestock species, seafood, Native American foods and some dried goods with the goal of restoring the original food traditions, species and tastes of North America.

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For identifying organic, local or sustainable food at mainstream stores and restaurants ...

The Monterey Bay Aquarium helps you find safe, socially responsible seafood. Their online and printable pocket guides feature a simple rating system to evaluate the environmental soundness of eating different seafood species.

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Humane Farm Animal Care lists participating farms, resellers and restaurants that serve meat and other animal products coming from humanely raised animals according to strict standards.

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Agricultural Marketing Service's National Organic Program gives you the official USDA standards on organic labeling and what these labels really say about the contents of the food you're eating.

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For buying fair trade products ...

Global Exchange has a fair trade online store that offers crafts, clothing, jewelry and bath products. Though items such as coffee and chocolate are certified through independent organizations, the other products are vetted only by Global Exchange itself, so make sure it meets your standards.

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