Organic

The term certified organic refers to items that have been produced using a set of rules determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Once these guidelines are followed the farmer can apply for certification. This process requires a 16 page detailed application of everything the farm does and how it does it. From what cows eat at the place you get the manure to where any recycled boxes come from. With the application the farmer must include many papers to show long crop rotations, pest management, records, etc. After all that and a visit from an agent you must pay a few hundred and that depends on how many acres will be certified.
At present there are thousands of certified acres. A lot of these are maintained by large corporations such as

General Mills and Kraft. Wherever there is big business there is big business, but there are many smaller certified farms all across the world. Just because you buy certified organic food from a grocery store or health food store does not mean it comes from a small farm or even within the United States. Many certified farms grow tropical or other fruits and food to ship around the world.
Though certified food is always a better choice than conventionally grown, Red Root believes that this should only be used as a temporary solution to help nurture a true sustainable food system. This local food system would not use many out of season crops, the money generated would stay in the local economy, and the fossil fuels used in the long distance shipping would not be needed. People would be more in touch with what they eat and how it is grown. Less dependence on fossil fuels and more dependence on hand labor not only provides cleaner air, but also builds the confidence and instills good values to people in the community.