A vendor at market may not describe their food as ‘organic’ unless they are certified organic by the USDA or WSDA. Our certified organic producers at market include Full Circle Farm, Oxbow Farm and Tonnemaker Family Farm. It is the job of the market manager to ensure that this certification is current each year and usually vendors post their certificate in their booth.
In order for produce to be certified organic a farm must not use any synthetic ingredients in its production and use specific practices in producing compost, packaging and other specifics.
Organic growers know that it is much more than that. Not using ‘pesticides’ does not indicate that a farmer is ‘organic’. In fact, there are approved pesticides for use in organic production, along with approved fertilizers, so most say that claims of ‘pesticide free’ are not a measure at all.
Rather, organic farming involves replicating and supporting natural systems in order to balance the health of the farm. Inputs such as compost and minerals are critical to maintain healthy soils. It is healthy soil that is at the core of successful organic food production. And creating and maintaining habitat for birds and pollinators is essential or integrated pest management.
To learn more:
About organic certification
To see a list of certified growers then go to page 28 for King County producers.