Growing and consuming organic foods was the normal way of life for our forefathers. Most people are not aware that synthetically packaged foods (made with synthetic ingredients and chemicals to prolong the preservation process) really only came around in the mid 1900s. Today, many smart consumers have returned to this healthier practice of eating fresh and organically grown foods where the production process is devoid of non-organic pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides.

By the early 2000s, many countries within the European Union, the United States, Canada and Japan have led the march to ensure that proper organic production practices are enforced. In the United States, organic food is one of the fastest growing sector in the food industry. In fact, some states have instituted quality assurance requirements to protect consumers. For example, California requires any product labeled as organic to be free of artificial additives, growth hormones, antibiotics, and other impurities. This may be the reason why organic products are so popular in that state. Conversely, other states may be more flexible and allow individual industries to voluntarily enforce organic standards. Unfortunately, dishonest manufacturers and producers can take advantage of this loophole and consumers have very little control over the quality of their purchases.

So, how can you determine if the products you see on the grocer's shelf are organic? The best way is to buy locally grown produce. It is definitely easier to verify the origins of products and the integrity of a company when you shop in community or neighborhood stores. For the most part, these stores rely heavily on the repeat business of its local community so reputation plays a big part in ensuring their businesses are successful. Also, because organic foods can cost a little more (sometimes up to 40% more than conventionally produced foods), local store owners have the added pressure to source for the best organic quality foods they can find.

Another good place to find organic foods is in the weekly (or monthly) farmer's market in your neighborhood. Many small producers use this avenue to promote their business and talk to customers in order to get valuable feedback about their products. This is a perfect opportunity to learn more about how your food is grown and processed and the kinds of quality controls that are implemented. You can usually get a sense of the integrity of the producer by the way he or she talks about the production process and the business.

While it is a good idea to switch to organic foods, this may not be a viable option for some people because of the higher cost. A compromise may be to make small changes like substituting everyday essentials that are consumed in high quantities like sugar, pasta and bread.