Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.Organic food production is legally regulated. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.Historically, organic farms have been relatively small family-run farms — which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. Meanwhile, it is becoming much more widely available, with market growth rates of around 20% a year since the early 1990s, far ahead of the rest of the food industry, in both developed and developing nations. As of today organic food accounts for 1-2% of food sales worldwide. In the future, growth is expected to range from 10-50% annually depending on the country. (see facts and statistics below)

He's right to say organic food has 'significant benefits in terms of animal welfare and reducing fuel costs'. But Gray says our only choices in future are GM crops or industrial-style agriculture and that, on its own

Healthy, Natural and Organic Foods are in demand by the consumer, but current offerings are sorely lacking and quite limited. We are bringing healthy to the vernacular of the fast food industry. Organic food and local produce is in demand. Our restaurant will not only be organic but green. Planet friendly design including hydroponics on the roof.

The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) released Tuesday two documents to help explain the impact of the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that food from cloned animals and their offspring are safe for the public to eat.

... without industrial-scale chemicals and liquid fuels? Richard Heinberg's current Museletter suggests that cities will have to surround themselves with food belts and agricultural workers -- organic biointensive farming, in short -- and recommends the organic crowd start putting aside differences and get cracking. There will be a world to feed.

Imagine a world where it was impossible to tell if a food item was organic, genetically modified or impregnated with hormones, and where herbal remedies were outlawed, undermining the complementary and alternative health care industry.According to independent researcher Ian Crane, this will be our world in just over two years' time - unless we wake