Local, organic, hyper-local: What’s the difference?
Navigating the produce aisle is getting more confusing.
Local, hyperlocal, organic, non-GMO, CNG…the labels on our produce are getting more and more descriptive. But few people know exactly what these terms are. There are many different understandings (and even misunderstandings), which is why we feel it’s important to share what we’ve learned in our time in the industry. Our goal is to establish a common interpretation of six important terms as they relate to produce.
So, what do they mean?
Local
We’re going to take a wild guess that you are already a little familiar with what food labeled as “local” means. But to create a common ground we would like to use a provision to the Farm Act from 2008, that states that for a food item to be labeled “local” it must be produced “so that the total distance that the product is transported is less than 400 miles from the origin of the product.” For perspective, a drive from sunny Southern California to the Bay Area of San Francisco, CA is around 400 miles. Or a drive from Minneapolis, MN to Chicago, IL is around 400 miles. Or a drive from Boston, MA to St John, NB, Canada, is about 400 miles or 650 kilometers. Clearly “local” doesn’t always mean nearby or even grown/produced from within the same state as it is purchased and consumed.
Organic
Almost everyone reading this post will have already seen a head of lettuce, bunch of kale, or a handful of cilantro for sale labeled as “organic”. The USDA defines organic production as a “system that is managed to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.” Organic labeling strives to promote agricultural practices that do not use synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMO), eg. seeds. Farmers applying for certification by the USDA must pass routine inspection and follow organic farming guidelines established by their home states.
Wondering if hydroponically-grown produce can be certified organic? Keep reading.
Non-GMO
GMO (genetically modified organisms) are plants whose genetic makeup has been artificially manipulated through genetic engineering. GMOs are often associated with any piece of produce that is perceived to be too perfect, but you may be surprised to find that most of the products in the grocery store are not GMO, including all leafy greens. The most widely-used GMOs are soy, corn, potatoes, papayas, summer squash, apples, and sugar beets. So why do you seen Non-GMO verified labels on an assortment of other foods in the produce aisle? It’s likely fresh food producers want to cover their bases. Many consumers don’t know what crops are and are not genetically modified, so they let you know outright.
Unlike most other food labels, GMOs are not a result of the farmers’ practices. Instead, it is a result of his or her choice of seeds. Many Freight Farmers use Johnny’s Seeds, which is one of the original signers of the Safe Seed Pledge stating that they will “not knowingly buy, sell or trade genetically-engineered seeds or plants.”
Hydroponically-Grown
One of our favorite labels, not that we’re biased or anything… Hydroponics uses water mixed with liquid nutrient solutions instead of soil, to grow plants. The benefit of hydroponics is that it’s a more controlled method to give plants the exact vitamins and minerals they need to grow into strong, healthy fresh food. Hydroponic farming is typically practiced indoors in greenhouses or container farms like the Greenery.
A current issue facing the hydroponics industry is the volatility surrounding hydroponically-grown produce being able to become certified organic. As current regulations are stated, hydroponically-grown produce can become certified organic as long as all of the inputs and grow mediums are also certified organic. Makes sense right? The argument is soil-less grown produce cannot be organic because the plant life is not improving the soil, a requirement of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The counterargument? The OFPA needs to be updated to include parameters for soil-less farming methods. Stay tuned for the final decision…
Freight Farms’ Hyper-local
Have you ever had a tomato right out of a backyard garden? Or a carrot from a farmer’s market stand? Or even a bunch of picked-that-day Lacinato Kale (great for salads!)? The Freight Farms community of farmers defines “Hyper-local” produce as food that is grown right in a community’s backyard, eg. just outside of downtown Montgomery, and available for purchase at a market or consumption at a local restaurant on the same day it was picked off the tower. Our farmers are growing lettuces, leafy greens, and herbs with little to no food miles. The benefit of being a hyper-local food supplier is that produce can be harvested and delivered the same day and can remain fresh much longer than produce distributed long distances. Eating local, and hyper-local food is one way to shrink your footprint on the environment…and get the tastiest goods!
Certified naturally grown (CNG)
This label is referred to as “The Grassroots Alternative to Certified Organic”, and is a far less expensive and more accessible alternative to the USDA National Organic Certification program for farmers. Similar to organically grown produce, Certified Naturally Grown farmers don’t use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs. CNG farmers typically sell at farmers markets, through CSA’s, and at local, independent grocers and can be recognized by the label!
Regardless of the label, it is important to understand where and how food is produced. Transparency is key to this understanding. Being able to identify the miles food travels from source to market and the practices used to grow that food will empower individuals to make better food choices amongst the many labels. One of the major benefits of growing in the Greenery container farm is the ability to provide unparalleled transparency in all operations from seed to harvest. Our farmers are able to communicate the complete story of how food is grown to their customers, and demonstrate good agricultural practices throughout the whole process.
We hope next time you walk into a grocery store (or pull up your grocery-ordering platform), you feel a little more confident in knowing exactly what you are purchasing and eating.
Ready to take it a step further? Start growing your own food with our Greenery container farm! Shameless plug, we know.
