Types of Organic Food

Organic foods can be fresh or processed, depending on the production methods.

Fresh Food
Fresh, “unprocessed” organic food, such as vegetables and fruits are purchased directly from growers, at farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and through specialty food stores. Unprocessed animal products like organic meat, eggs, dairy, are less commonly available in “fresh” form.

Processed Food
Most processed organic foods come from large food firm producing and marketing products like canned goods, frozen vegetables, prepared dishes and other convenience foods.

Processed organic food usually only contains organic ingredients, or where there are a number of ingredients, at least a minimum percentage of plant and animal ingredients must be organic.

Any non-organically produced ingredients must still meet certain requirements. It must be free of artificial food additives, and is often processed with fewer artificial methods, materials and conditions. They are also required to be produced using energy-saving technologies and packaged using biodegradable materials when possible.