| Where does the term "organic" actually mean? It | | | | diverse ecosystems. Finally, when calculated by either |
| originally was defined to describe a holistic, ecologically | | | | unit of yield or unit of area, organic farms use less |
| friendly approach to farming by a man named Lord | | | | energy and product less waste than their |
| Northbourne in his book "Look to the Land" in his | | | | competitors. |
| description of "organic farming". This definition differs | | | | Organic products are often priced higher than their |
| from the definition of "scientifically" organic which can | | | | competitors as the number of organic products is |
| be defined as a class of molecules that contain | | | | quite a bit less than mass produced products and |
| carbon. | | | | there are different, more rigid steps that must be |
| To be categorized as an organic food, 95% of the | | | | followed in their production, leading to higher costs of |
| product must be organic. Foods claiming to be organic | | | | manufacture. Nonetheless, organic food is one of the |
| must be free of artificial food additives and are made | | | | fastest growing sectors of the marketplace as more |
| using fewer artificial methods, materials and | | | | and more families are concentrating on doing their |
| conditions. | | | | part to help the environment. |
| Often organic products are considered "green" | | | | While organic items are most noticeably in the arena |
| products as they do use a more ecologically friendly | | | | of food, recently there have been organic products |
| approach to the environment for the following | | | | developing all over the place, including personal care |
| reasons. First, organic farms do not consume or | | | | amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body |
| release synthetic pesticides into the environment | | | | wash and soaps. One leading manufacturer of hotel |
| because one of the conditions of being an organic | | | | amenities, Pharmacopia, produces their line of popular |
| product is that there can be no synthetic pesticides | | | | amenities products using natural, organic ingredients. |
| used in its growing. Secondly, organic farms often | | | | This line is often found at hotels and Bed and |
| have a variety of plants and animals, including insects, | | | | Breakfasts that are, themselves, "green". |
| that work toward a common goal and create a | | | | |