A guide to purchasing
organic food for consumers
What is Organic Food?
 Organic food crops are grown without the use of
chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
 Organic farmers build healthy soil -- fertilizing and
building the soil's organic matter through the use of
cover crops, compost, and biologically based soil
amendments.
 Organic meat, dairy products, and eggs are
produced from animals which are fed organic feed
and are usually allowed free range and outdoor
access.
Tricky terms
 Certified Organic – Inspected and verified as following organic




production, processing and handling regulations.
Organic – A holistic system of production based on principles that
support healthy food, land and communities. Organic products are
produced using biological and ecological approaches instead of
synthetic herbicides or pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics or hormones.
Pesticide free – An unregulated term. No pesticides are used while the
crops are growing. They may be used before seeding or after harvest.
Fertilizers and GMOs are not necessarily banned.
Neither organic or pesticide free guarantees that products are free from
pesticides, only that pesticides are not intentionally introduced.
Pesticides are frequent contaminants in rainwater and cannot be
entirely eliminated.
Natural – An unregulated term that often refers to meat that is raised
without growth hormones and is minimally processed.
How to determine whether food is
certified organic
Organic food and products can be recognized by
the name or logo of an organic certifier on the
label or packaging of the food. Without
indication of certification with a recognized
organic certifier, product cannot be considered
organic.
It is important to look for certification because a producer may use
nonorganic methods such as chemicals and falsely advertise their product
as organic.
Foods that Contain High
Levels of Pesticides
Fruits
Vegetables
Apples
Nectarines
Peaches
Strawberries
Cherries
Grapes
Pears
Raspberries
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Lettuce
Spinach
Carrots
Potatoes
Green Beans
Tomatoes
Foods that Contain Low
Levels of Pesticides
Fruits
Avocados
Bananas
Kiwi
Mangoes
Papayas
Pineapple
Watermelon
Vegetables
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Onions
Sweet potatoes
Corn (frozen)
Sweet peas (frozen)
Mushrooms
Why is organic food sometimes
more expensive?
 Sometimes organic prices are higher simply because of
supply and demand. As more farms turn to organic
techniques prices should stabilize. While an organic
product may be slightly more expensive than its non
organic counterpart, one must remember the health
benefits of eating organic. Without the added pesticides
and fertilizers, the organic food will have more flavour
and nutritional benefit.
Buying Organic Food
 Organic food can be purchased at many retailers
throughout Saskatchewan. In addition, farmers
markets are an excellent location for organic producers
to sell their organic products.
Farmer’s Markets In Saskatchewan
-Battlefords & District
Farmers' Market Co-op
-Loon Lake Farmers' Market
Co-op
- Big River Farmers' Market
Co-op
-Meadow Lake & District
Farmers' Market Co-op
- Biggar & District Farmers'
Market Co-op
-Melfort and District Farmers’
Market Co-op
-Regina Farmer’s Market
- Carlton & District
Farmers' Market Co-op
(Humboldt)
-Montemarte & District
Farmers Market Co-op
- Rosetown & District
Farmers' Market Co-op
-North Battleford Farmer’s
Market
- Rosthern & District
Farmers' Market Co-op
-Nipawin Farmers' Market Coop
-Saskatoon Farmer’s
Market
- Outlook & District Farmers'
Market Co-op
- Tisdale Farmers' Market
Co-op
- Paynton Farmers' Market Coop
- Wakaw Farmers' Market
Co-op
-Estevan Farmer’s Market
-Hudson Bay & District
Farmers' Market Co-op
-Humboldt (Carlton Trail)
Farmer’s Market
-Kamsack Farmer’s Market
- Porcupine Plain &
District Farmers' Market
Co-op
-Radisson Farmers'
Market Co-op
For More Information
 Check out at saskorganic.com
 Food Miles Campaign
 Organic Producers Directory
 Eat Well Guide
 Retail Directories
 Local Food Guide