It's a pretty common question. Here are the basics.

We've also provided an explanation of what Oregon Tilth certification means. (All Newman's Own Organics products are certified organic by Oregon Tilth .)

The materials below were developed by the USDA National Organic Program in 1994 and serve as a general outline of the definition of Organic as it will be used in the United States.

DEFINITION
Organic agriculture is a holistic system with the primary goal of optimizing the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people. Management practices are carefully selected with an intent to restore and then maintain ecological harmony on the farm, its surrounding environment and ultimately the whole planetary ecosystem.

INTRODUCTION
The Organic Farm Plan is central to demonstrating progressive improvement of practices and measuring evolution of the management system as a whole towards greater sustainability. In this context, record- keeping is a key management tool for identifying problems and successful adaptations. Management changes should be evaluated in light of the principles described below.

PRINCIPLES
Organic production systems seek to provide food, fiber and herbal products of the highest quality in sufficient quantities.

  Click Here to see the full details of these principles.

THE RODALE INSTITUTE
World wide research pioneered by The Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA has proven organic and regenerative farming methods feed more with fewer resources, deliver healthier living, reduce greenhouse effects, and restore economic and environmental balance to our planet. If you are ever in PA, visit The Rodale Institute's 333 acre experimental farm, home to one of the world's longest running Farming Systems Trial™ study comparing organic to conventional farming methods. And definitely visit their incredible-new-first-of-its-kind monthly FREE! fun web magazine for children, parents and educators.