The USDA has established three descriptions that can be put on food products…

1. 100 percent Organic – Food must be all organic or contain only organically produced ingredients before it can receive the USDA green and white seal.
2. Organic – Food must be at least 95 percent organic before it can receive the blue seal.
3. Made with Organic Ingredients – Food must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The remaining 30 percent cannot include any genetically modified ingredients.

• Organic produce cannot be grown with chemical pesticides or most synthetic fertilizers.
• Animals cannot be fed or injected with antibiotics and growth hormones.
• Meats must come from animals that eat 100 percent organic feed for the previous 12 months.

This is only a snapshot, always do your own due diligence to be an informed consumer.

1. Drinking more water everyday will keep your skin looking smooth and supple. The real fountain of youth can be found in a glass of water.

2. Drinking more water everyday will help you cut calories. Choosing to drink water instead of a soda is the calorie free way to quench your thirst.

3. Drinking more water everyday will help you distinguish thirst from hunger. If you keep eating food when your body really need water, you will gain weight.

4. Drinking more water everyday will help your think more clearly. The human brain is 85 percent water.

5. Drinking more water everyday will help you feel better. Your body is about 75 percent water and 25 percent solid material.

Info from Jackie Stanley

Do you get curious when you see things that you know are not in season, and while some may be in season, do you know their origin. Remember that geography class in school…here we go!

• Bananas: comes from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras
• Apples: 94% comes from the United States and the rest comes from Chile, New Zealand and Canada
• Oranges: Most from the United States, but during the winter they can come from Africa and Australia
• Dried beans, peas and lentils: United States and Mexico
• Beef: 16% of beef is imported from Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand
• Orange Juice: Brazil is the largest supplier
• Apple Juice: leading suppliers are Argentina, Chile and China
• Olive Oil: It may be labeled bottled in Italy, it actually comes from Spain, Greece, Tunisia and other Mediterranean countries
• Canola Oil: comes from Canada
• Tea: Sri Lanka, India, china, Japan and Kenya are the main tea providers
• Wheat: 94% comes from the United States and the rest comes from Canada and Mexico
• Apricots, Avocados, Grapes, Kiwi, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pineapples, Plums, Strawberries and Tangerines: United States, Mexico, Chile, Philippines and Thailand
• Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Squash and Snap Beans: United States, Mexico, Canada and China
• Sugar: 50% comes from the United States and the rest comes from Brazil, Caribbean countries and Australia
• Coffee: primarily from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala

As you can see, our food comes from all over the world.  Food, the long way home.

Sources: FDA, USDA, U.S. Apple Commission, American Meat Institute, National Association of Wheat Growers, Tea Association of the U.S.A.