There is a growing body of evidence that organic farming practices help reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in our food and the environment. Some health issues linked to the use of toxic and persistent chemicals used in farming include cancer in humans, birth defects, infertility, and antibiotic resistance. Environmental pollution and degradation such as greenhouse gasses, tainted drinking water, soil erosion and loss of natural resources are also linked to the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in farming. Organic farming offers an alternative that helps protect the environment and public health.

I'll be the first to admit that I am not on the organic bandwagon. Yet. It always seems to take me a bit longer to really come around to changes that are readily made by my nutrition conscious friends. Whenever these conversations come up, I get a little quiet with discomfort, then end up blurting out that I fed my kids store brand hot dogs for dinner. Then I apologize. It's just my pattern.

Well, our local grocery that we go to on an almost daily basis has now added in a whole product line and sections devoted to organic items and food. I'll tell you, it doesn't take much to confuse me. And I am confused about all of this. I found an old article from www.happynews.com that has helped me a bit.

* 100 percent organic. Only products that have been exclusively produced using organic methods and contain only organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) are allowed to carry a label declaring "100 percent organic."

* Organic. This signifies that at least 95 percent of the ingredients (by weight, excluding water and salt) in a processed product have been organically produced. The remaining contents can only be natural or synthetic ingredients not available in an organic form that are recommended by the National Organic Standards Board and allowed on the National List. The product cannot use both organic and non-organic versions of any ingredient that is listed as organic. For instance, if a loaf of bread is made with organic wheat, all of the wheat in the bread must be organic.

* Made with organic. Products with 70 to 95 percent organic ingredients may display "Made with organic [with up to three specific organic ingredients or food groups listed]" on the front panel.

* All three categories prohibit the inclusion of any ingredients produced using genetic engineering, irradiation, or sewage sludge.

* Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients can list the organic items only in the ingredient panel. There can be no mention of organic on the main panel.