Navigating Food Labels & Third-Party Certifications
- GrownBy Team
- Mar 7, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 9
Everything you should know about 5 regulated & respected certification labels used to market sustainable farm products
Are you a farmer contemplating certification and unsure of where to start? Or a conscious consumer eager to ensure your food dollar supports your environmental and social concerns?
Let’s explore the third-party farm certifications you’ll find on GrownBy. From the intricacies of growing standards, to the financial fees and barriers of entry, we’ll break down what five key certifications mean, how they differ from one another, and the value they add to the farmer and consumer.
In this article:
Why Certification Matters
When farmers pursue certification of any kind, they’re not just making a commitment to the farm; they’re joining a flourishing movement dedicated to researching and promoting sustainable production methods and raising animals more humanely.
In addition to price, quality, and consistency, consumers increasingly prioritize transparency, environmental sustainability, and personal health. For many, adopting a more sustainable diet means knowing not only where our food comes from, but also how it’s grown and produced.
Third-party certifications satisfy these demands, build trust between the farmer and customer, and open new markets for farmers, or solidify existing ones. Win-win for everyone!
The five certification stamps you’ll find on GrownBy are backed by reputable third-party certifiers or government agencies. The application process requires detailed documentation and in-person inspections that hold farmers accountable for their production practices so that consumers can feel more confident about the quality of food they eat — or the herbicides, pesticides, and GMOs they don’t!
There are also certifications that GrownBy doesn’t have badges for at this time.
USDA Organic Certification
Overview
Perhaps the most well-known organic certification, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets the standards for organic certification through the National Organic Program (NOP). The USDA Organic is a highly respected label, but difficult to obtain due to the time, expense, and detailed record keeping needed for certification.
Farm Standards & Requirements
How much are application & inspection fees?
How long does certification take?
Real Organic Project
Overview
The Real Organic Project is a grassroots organization led by small family farmers dedicated to preserving the meaning of “organic” to provide more transparency and integrity in terms of honoring the traditional values of organic farming, with a focus on healthy soil and pasture-based organic farming.
According to the Real Organic Project, their “standards reflect the true nature of organic farming with an emphasis on soil health and environmental sustainability.”
This certification is an add-on label to USDA Organic; farms must already be certified organic by the USDA as a prerequisite to apply for Real Organic Project certification.
Farm Standards & Requirements
Fees are FREE
How long does certification take?
Certified Naturally Grown
Overview
Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) producers follow similar standards to the USDA Organic farms in that they cannot use synthetic chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, and the farm must support biological diversity and ecological balance.
The main difference between CNG and organic is that the CNG certification model relies on peer inspections rather than a USDA-approved certifying agency; the peer reviews and inspections cultivate community, and accountability for one another.
CNG provides a more affordable and accessible alternative for independent farms because it isn’t as expensive or time-consuming as securing certification from the USDA’s program.
CNG is currently accepting applications for Produce and Flowers, Livestock, Apiary, Aquaponics, and Mushrooms certification.
Farm Standards & Requirements
How much are the application & inspection fees?
How long does certification take?
Demeter Biodynamic
Overview
Demeter USA is the only certifier for Biodynamic farms and products in America. It is part of a world-wide organization, Demeter International, that was founded in 1924 by scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. It is the oldest ecological certification organization across the globe and active in 50 countries.
The Biodynamic Farm Standard requires that the farming system and strategies for disease, insect, and weed control must originate from the farm itself, rather than outside materials. In essence, the biodynamic farm is self-reliant, and viewed as a whole, connected living organism.
In day-to-day practice, the farm must meet its needs from the living dynamics of the farm itself. It is the biodiversity of the farm, organized so that the waste of one part of the farm (manure from livestock) becomes the energy for another, that results in an increase in the farm’s capacity for self-renewal, and ultimately makes the farm (self) sustainable.
There are 16 categories that the Demeter Biodynamic® Processing Standards cover, including produce and livestock, as well as everything from oil to wine, and even cosmetics and body care.
How much are application & inspection fees?
How long does certification take?
Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW)
Overview
Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW) is the only label that guarantees animals are raised outdoors on pasture for their entire lives on an independent farm using truly sustainable, high-welfare farming practices.
AWA’s rigorous standards have been honed over years of research and collaboration to maximize practicable, sustainable, high-welfare farm management that address every aspect of every species’ lifecycle needs from birth to death.
Ultimately, “the animals must be able to behave naturally and be in a state of physical and psychological well-being.”
According to The Hartman Group, AWA has the single highest impact on consumer purchasing of any food label.
Farm Requirements
How much are the application & inspection fees?
How long does certification take?
Join over 20 thousand satisfied customers who shop local, seasonal, certified food on GrownBy marketplace. Find a farm based on the growing practices you care about most.
Beyond Certification — Cultivate Trust Through Conversation & Transparency
Some certification labels may be cost prohibitive, or farms may have alternative certifications beyond those available on GrownBy. Direct market farmers have the unique opportunity to have a longer conversation with their customers regarding their farming practices.
As a farmer, you can use your online platforms to explain your cultivation methods; describe your practices on your website, in a newsletter, or social media post to help your customers know more about the choices you make — and why you made them.
Describing pest control methods like row cover, soil health practices like cover cropping, and pasture management like rotational grazing can greatly increase your connection with your customers, as well as their knowledge and trust in your products.
As a customer, don’t be afraid to talk to your farmer and ask questions about their farming methods.
Beware Unregulated Marketing Terms
While the five certifications we cover are reputable labels backed by government guidelines or third-party assessments, there are many many food marketing terms and labels that don’t require certification or regulation.
Often referred to as "greenwashing," these unregulated labels should be taken with a grain of salt; they are deceptive marketing terms that make their items appear more environmentally friendly than they are, and undermines consumer trust.
Common terms include "natural" "pesticide-free" "humanely raised." If you are questioning the legitimacy of any food claims, dig a bit deeper into the terminology, or reach out directly to the farm or food producer.
Resources
Common labels applied to dairy, egg, meat, and poultry products rated by their definitions and animal welfare implications.
An extremely detailed, yet easy to digest information regarding common labels across all food categories
an interactive guide that teaches you how to read food labels and understand the laws behind them
downloadable PDF guide to greenwashing terms, unregulated food labels, and regulated certifications
Download this free PDF to help you make sense of over 100 common food terms, labels, and claims found on food packaging so that you can choose the ones that fit your values.
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