In our day and age, where foods come from all over the world and the use of pesticides is common, it’s more important than ever to know where your food comes from.  It isn’t always easy to know this – but it is always important.

Grocery Stores have noticed this consumer trend and many of them have a section in the produce and meat areas for “organic” food.  While the FDA is still defining organic, you should read the labels as many of them indicate why their food is labeled as organic. (This site explains how and why a food is certified and labeled organic.)

Here is a nice article addressing why you should consider buying organic food in the first place.

Health Food and Whole Food stores are great sources of organic food – but they may not be as close to you as your favorite supermarket.  Something I’m learning to do is subscribe to sales updates for these stores – they are about 45 – 60 minutes away – and I watch for sales on items we like.  I’m still growing in the organic food knowledge, so anybody who has great direction can share in the comments! =)

Other sources include your local farmers markets.  If you don’t know how to locate one, check out Local Harvest.  This is a website you should bookmark right now and use often. =)  Find a local farmers market, grocery co-op, or even a farm that sells fresh produce and talk to them about the growing methods they use and shop with them.

Find your fresh produce, meats, herbs, and even garden plants at places like these and don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson about the source of the products you are buying.  Even seeds can be treated with chemicals and fertilizers, and the more you know about the soil you use and the seeds you grow – the plants you buy and the foods you eat – the more you can ensure eating healthier, safer foods.

This goes for your health supplements, too.  Vitamins and minerals can contain synthetic ingredients which are tougher (if not impossible) for your body to absorb.  Be sure to look for products that contain organic sources and even address the bioavailability of the ingredients and sources used. (Bioavailability meaning how available the nutrients are to the body and how well they are absorbed by the body).  Not every supplement at a health food store is healthy, so you have to become a label reader. =)  I have more to share about that later…