LA Farmers Market 101

(www.Borganic.org) There is a lot of confusion between Certified Organic and Fresh foods. What are the distinctions and how can you spot them? Should you pay more for organic even if you do not notice a taste difference and why would organic taste different? Should you bring a list or take your chances?

First, you should know the difference between “Certified Organic” and “Farm Fresh”. Certified Organic means the farmer has specifically applied for and passed organic certification through the rigorous standards of the NOP (National Organic Program), created to enforce the rules of Certified Organic farming. The costs of Organic Farming are higher because there is more “spoilage” due to natural causes. “Farm Fresh” refers to all other farm processes; some may closely follow organic regulations and then call their product “natural” or use a more commercial approach and therefore only be fresh from the farm, but without the same oversight.

Second, what, if any, taste difference is there between Organic and “Farm Fresh”? Taste is subjective and personal but most people note that Certified Organic does have a “fuller or richer” taste. This is opinion and not officially tested, yet. You may be accustomed to “Farm Fresh” and find the taste of Certified Organic stronger or more pronounced than the Farm or grocery version of the same food. You can do a tasting of sorts; it can be fun, simply buy 1 fruit or vegetable from a Certified Organic, a “Farm Fresh” and Grocery store then invite some friends to a blind taste test. Serve each one at a time and have the guests write characteristics they notice and list notable differences then compare lists and revel the food source at the end of the test. Then you can decide for yourself, which you prefer.

An excellent way to approach your local market is to pretend you are a tourist. Take photos, taste things and make a list of available foods. Take note of the price differences as well as size and quality differences between vendors. You should also pay attention to specialty items such as hand made cheeses, raw milk, grass fed meats, etc., and consider if you would actually use them. Once you have done your first walk-through, take a moment to consider what items you might use this week at home, then use your list to choose those items to stock up. This may seem excessive but you will find some markets are more difficult to navigate than others are and a list will keep you on budget and prevent you from buying things you will never use.

By Vera Lewis

LA Farmers Market Examiner

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