Tag: Organic farming practices

According to the USDA's National Organic Program, 'organic' does not mean pesticide-free, a common misconception. The truth is that certified organic bananas are farmed using an ecosystem-based approach that avoids synthetic chemicals, but may utilize natural pesticides or other approved substances as a last resort.

According to the USDA, produce can be labeled organic only if it is certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest. Understanding what qualifies a vegetable as organic involves grasping the comprehensive standards that dictate every aspect of production, from the ground up.