We struggled with the decision whether to have our produce certified as organic when the National Organic Program (NOP) took over the term “organic” on October 21, 2002. Since then the decision to not be “certified organic” has been easier. The NOP restricts the use of the term organic to those whose farming practices are in accord with the NOP standards, and prohibits its use by others whose practices in fact exceed those standards in producing organic food. We have considered several factors, some of which have helped to make our decision easier, whereas others have made the process difficult. We have focused primarily on the following four major areas:
1. Financial. The cost of organic certification has increased from approximately $350/year to be certified organic by the Alaska Organic Association (AOA) to approximately $2,000/year to be certified under the National Organic Program.
2. Logistical. Instead of being certified organic by AOA, we are now required to be certified by the NOP. Because the State of Alaska has not pursued accreditation with the NOP, it cannot certify organic produce. Therefore we would have to be certified by the State of Washington and mark our Alaska Grown produce as “certified organic by the State of Washington.”
3. Philosophical. We have worked hard to ensure clean, pesticide-, GMO-, and chemical-free produce and to practice sustainable farming techniques that are as harmonious with nature as possible. The standards set by the new NOP Federal Rule do not meet our own rigorous standards.
4. Ethical. Because the NOP does not require residue testing, it is now possible to grow and sell USDA certified organic produce that contains high levels of toxins. Consumers will now unknowingly purchase food that does not meet the high standards to which they have become accustomed, even though the food is labeled “organic.“ We want no part of this subterfuge.
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Arctic Organics
1305 N. Smith Road
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone : (907)746-1087
Email : info@arcticorganics.com
Website : http://arcticorganics.com/
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