Organic Schmorganic: What the heck is this?

So like we said before, our cookies are organic. But what is that, really?

Here's a quick and dirty definition:

"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.

Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.

From the Organic Trade Association, www.theorganicreport.com

Without any attempt to preach (seriously, we're not the preachy type -- ok, well, Dina can get on the soap box now and then, but Wendy is definitely not preachy), we just think of it this way: Eating organic is eating cleaner, knowing what you eat, and eating without worry.

P.S. Here's some extra credit reading about what Organic means.