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.
Expand All Guide SectionsOrganic Food Basics
Get the lowdown on organic food basics and other socially responsible food trends, and learn why they are beneficial to your health and to Mother Earth.
Insights for Organic Food Basics
- As you explore this guide, keep handy this "Glossary Of Organic & Natural Food Terms."
- For a summary of the many benefits of eating sustainable food, read "Finding Health Close to Home—A Call for Localism."
Top Sites for Organic Food Basics
For more on the vocabulary of organic food ...
Organic.org
provides straightforward explanations about certified organic food, its benefits and the USDA labels that define it.
FoodRoutes
outlines what's in our food, where it comes from and how it gets to us. This nonprofit clarifies the different types of socially responsible food movements, and advocates for the renewal of local food networks.
Sustainable Table
defines sustainable food and the benefits of eating it. Find a dictionary of sustainable food terms and an "Eat Well Guide" with a directory of sustainable food resources nationwide.
For information on specific food movements ...
The Organic Center
offers lots of scientific articles and news regarding the health, nutrition, safety and environmental impact of organic foods and agriculture.
TransfairUSA
explains what fair trade products are, how they are certified and where you can buy them. The only independent, third-party, fair trade certification organization in the United States, TransfairUSA is the authority on socially responsible trade.
Sierra Club
is the oldest grassroots environmental group in the country, providing trustworthy information on sustainable consumption. Learn about the benefits of the movement and visit the factory farm page for a look at the American food industry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Growing Organic Food
Interested in growing organic food? Here you'll learn how to forage for fresh food, how to build and maintain your own garden, and learn where to find or start a community garden.
Insights for Growing Organic Food
- If you're going to start your own organic garden, learn how to build and maintain a compost pile. Compost is an essential fertilizer for the all-natural garden.
- Don't miss findingDulcinea's Gardening Web Guide for more advice.
Top Sites for Growing Organic Food
For foragers …
Backwoods Home Magazine
details how to get started foraging and makes a handy guide for the beginner.
Foraging.com
is a directory of foraging information, tutorials and resources. Find links to plant databases, books and periodicals.
Downsizer
publishes a number of articles on its "Finding food" page that detail different types of wild foods and how to forage for them. You'll also find cooking tips for the foods you might find.
For those with a green thumb …
American Community Garden Association
offers a straightforward guide to finding a community garden, as well as tips for starting your own. Connect with green thumbs around the country to share resources, expertise and advice.
Organic Gardening
magazine's month-to-month, region-specific gardening almanac is a helpful resource for the amateur organic gardener. The magazine posts many of its print features for free online.
The Edible Schoolyard
gives parents and teachers reasons to start a school garden and kitchen. Find links to external sites for guidance and more information.
Food Activism
For some, food isn’t just a source of nutrition, it’s an expression of their beliefs. Several political advocacy and action groups have sprung up in the field of food activism.
Insights for Food Activism
- Socially responsible food isn't a coherent, single movement. Find your niche by going to the "about," "who we are" or "our philosophy" links on different sites to glean the organization's focus.
- Your involvement with an organization will be most effective if you work locally. See if an organization you like has a chapter in your area.
Top Sites for Food Activism
For food activism sites ...
Organic Consumers Association
advocates on behalf of organic consumers and small businesses. Learn how to get involved with food activism by starting your own food co-op, and get frequent news updates and more.
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
connects small farmers, farm workers, consumers and communities in order to create sustainable, economical and safe local food systems. Learn about the organization and find a local food source near you.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
has numerous ways you can get involved with sustainable agriculture and food activism, such as signing letters, contacting your government representatives, joining local organizations and more.
Organic Food News
Organic and socially responsible food movements thrive on the interaction and advice of thousands of growers and eaters. Find organic food news with the sites below.
Insights for Organic Food News
- Many CSAs publish their own newsletters or magazines. These can be especially helpful if you're looking for some advice from very local sources.
- Michael Pollan is as close to a rock star as you can be in the sustainable food journalism world. Explore his site, MichaelPollan.com, for organic food news and articles on a variety of topics.
Top Sites for Organic Food News
Life Begins at 30
is an energetic blog focused mainly on local, sustainable and whole food. Peppered with beautiful photos of one woman's food and travels, the blog illustrates the delights of socially responsible food.
OrganicAuthority.com
lives up to its name with an enormous amount of practical advice and organic food news.
The Ethicurean
is a group blog devoted to organic food news on sustainable, organic, local and ethical food—what they call SOLE food for short. Look for a wide variety of posts on food politics, cooking, green living, farming and more.
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