Walking into a grocery store is becoming more and more daunting. Since companies have jumped on the “green” bandwagon, food packaging is adorned with a variety labels that can be utterly confusing. Which ones are legitimate? Which ones are simply green-washing to make a buck?
Both Tree Hugger and Organic Fair Trade Coffee Company provide simple, concise listings (with the logo) of the multitude of food certifications and labels. Hopefully, this will make your shopping experience a little bit easier.
Here are just a few from Tree Hugger:
Image credit: TransFair USA
Fair Trade
Just about everything that an environmentally focused certification does for the planet, Fair Trade certification does for people. The standard aims to provide, safe, healthy, sustainable working conditions for farmers and farm workers; the standards aim to ensure that farmers and farm workers in developing nations receive a fair price for their product; have direct trade relations with buyers and access to credit; and encourage sustainable farming methods, without the use of a dozen of the most harmful pesticides, and forced child labor.
To earn the label, products must be grown by small-scale producers democratically organized in either cooperatives or unions. In order to use the Fair Trade Certified label, the buyer must also be willing to pay up to 60 percent of the purchase in advance for some products, including coffee, tea and cocoa, with added premiums for social development projects, including health care, educational and capacity-building projects that can improve quality of life for farming communities.
You’ll see the Fair Trade certification on coffee, tea, tropical fruits (bananas, pineapples, and mangoes, for example), rice, sugar, and chocolate products like cocoa, cocoa powder, and chocolate bars. Learn more about Fair Trade certification from TransFair USA.
Image credit: Salmon Safe
Salmon Safe
Salmon Safe certification is designed to recognize farm and other land use operations that contribute to restoring stream eco-system health in native salmon fisheries. Farms producing products that carry the Salmon-Safe label have been evaluated for the use of agricultural practices that promote healthy streams and wetlands, including water use, erosion control, chemical management, and proper animal farming. The criteria to earn certification is designed to protect the salmon streams from farm run-off through good soil, water, and vegetation management that reduce chemical use and sustain resources.
Products that carry the Salmon Safe certification include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meats, and wine. Learn more about the certification from Salmon Safe.
And here are some other label information and thier logos from Organic Fair Trade Coffee Company :
Certified Naturally Grown
What it means: An alternative to the USDA’s organic program, CNG is a nonprofit for small-scale, direct- market organic farmers. The CNG certification uses National Organic Program growing practices; the primary difference is certification costs due to farmers and paperwork requirements. Since CNG certified farmers nust agree to sell their produce only locally and directly to food stores and restaurants, it’s considered a nationally branded local foods label.
Where you’ll find it: Fruits, vegetables, dairy,meat, eggs, and some jam
How it’s verified: The SNG program uses other organic or CNG farmers as inspectors, and they randomly test 10% of members’ products for pesticides
Find out more http://www.naturallygrown.org/
Protected Harvest
What it means: Affiliated with the World Wildlife Fund, the Protected Harvest Program certifies crops that have been raised with integrated pet management. To qualify for the seal, specific crop management practices must be employed and reduce use of toxic pesticides, improve sail and water quality, and protect wildlife habitat.
Where you’ll find it: Fruit, vegetables and wine
how it’s verified: By contracted, independent third party inspectors.
Find out more http://www.protectedharvest.org/
Eco-friendly food is a great way to not only stay healthy, but to help the environment. Food production takes a huge toll on our ecosystem and with these label guidelines, you can then choose a sustainable brand.
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