Organic, local or grower-described: what’s the difference?

A trip to a Kitsap market can put several appealing words in front of you: local, organic, natural, regenerative and biodynamic. They can help start a conversation, but they do not all describe the same thing.

Start with the label, then ask a question.

The USDA’s organic labeling guidance distinguishes “100 percent organic,” “organic,” and “made with organic” products. For multi-ingredient products, the organic category generally requires at least 95 percent organic ingredients, excluding salt and water. “Made with organic” requires at least 70 percent and does not permit the USDA organic seal. Check the full label and the certifier information, rather than relying on a green package or a single word.

Local tells you about a connection to place.

A nearby grower may use practices you value without holding organic certification. That distinction deserves to be visible. For example, Persephone Farm’s own website describes its growing approach and explicitly states that it is not certified organic. Our directory preserves that distinction.

At a market, try a few friendly, specific questions:

• Did you grow this, and where was it grown?
• How do you manage soil fertility and pests?
• Is this particular crop certified organic, and who is the certifier?
• Are all the products at this stall covered by the same practices?

Read our directory labels as a starting point.

“Grower-described practices” means we are identifying what a grower reports. “Organic options” describes a shop with documented organic products, not an entirely organic store. “Community resource” identifies a relevant program without making a certification claim.

These distinctions make it easier to choose according to your own priorities. You can value a conversation with a local grower and still check a certification when that matters to you.

Read our listing standards, then find a local food connection.