Organic
The members of the Purple Porch Co-op value organically grown/raised food. As you probably know, the term "organic" is regulated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). That is, there are rules about who can and cannot use the term regardless of how one actually grows the food. Without getting into all the ins and outs of that regulation here, we want to make sure you know how the terms are used on this website.
The Co-op, as a policy, does not attach a value judgment to producers that have chosen the "certified" route versus those that have chosen to not certify their organic methods.
Unless specifically identified as "Certified Organic", the use of the term "organic" on this web site is meant to describe food grown with organic methods (but non-USDA certified) and products with ingredients that were grown using organic methods (non-USDA certified) and/or ingredients that are certified organic. Almost entirely, "organic methods" means no synthetic chemicals used.
Products that have no indication as to being "Organic", "Certified Organic", "Chemical-free", "Spray-free" (or something similar) should be assumed to have been grown more conventionally. USUALLY, the producer will indicate that they used synthetic chemicals if in fact they have.
Most of the food that is grown in our area (within 60 miles) can be grown with great success without the use of synthetic chemicals. However, it is our understanding that growing fruit on trees is a challenge to produce a yield that is cost effective without the use of some sprays. That information comes from the producers that we know and from the reality that organic fruit (tree) producers are extremly rare in this area.
One of the orginal goals of this Co-op was to become a market force in our local food system. So please, if this is important to you, help us work with producers to encourage more organically grown food. And remember consider your dollars as votes. Products that sell - tells us and the producers that these are the products in demand. And vice versa.
If you have further questions - our producers are very approachable - that is one of the approval criteria. In other words, if you're not sure - the producer is happy to explain their growing methods to you.
