Organic farming was one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture during the 1990’s. In 2005, the value of retail sales of organic food was estimated to be more than $20 billion. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says those numbers just keep on climbing.

More than half of Americans now buy organic food at least once a month, according to the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), a food retailers and wholesalers advocacy group (www.fmi.org). The trend is attributed to a renewal of public interest in what goes into their food. In December 2000, the National Organic Standards Board of the USDA established a national standard for the term “organic.” The Web site www.organic.com says that simply stated, organic foods must be grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically-modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Similarly, animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products must not take antibiotics or growth hormones. The site states that before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. “Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too,” the site says.

That said it is important to note that “organic” does not mean the same thing as “natural.” There is no legal definition as to what constitutes a “natural” food. However, the food industry uses the term “natural” to indicate that a food has been minimally processed and is preservative-free. Natural foods can include organic foods, but not all natural foods are organic.

Organic for less

If you’re interested in buying organic food for your family and do not want to spend a fortune, try the following tips from www.consumerreports.org.

● Compare local prices. Check several local grocery stores for your most-purchased organic items to find the lowest prices. Fresh organic produce is often cheaper when purchased in season. Grocers such as Trader Joe’s offer reasonably priced organic foods. The company’s Web site, at www.traderjoes.com, says they “work with suppliers around the world in order to create great-tasting, high quality, organic products” that they can bring to the consumer at “excellent prices.”

● Be sure to visit farmer’s markets. You can find organic produce there, often at a lower price. A USDA study in 2002 found that about 40 percent of those farmers don’t charge a premium for organic produce. Check www.localharvest.org for listings in your area.

● Consider ordering organic by mail. Both national and local providers will ship items including organic beef, baby food, and other products at better price points. Visit www.organic.org for more information.