You may think a lot about what you want to eat, but how many people think about how it is produced? Two popular methods of food production today are natural and organic farming. Both focus on health value but are distinct in various ways.

What Is Organic Farming?

Organic farming is a method of growing crops centered around ecological means. Rather than introducing artificial chemical agents to stimulate growth, organic farms focus on enhancing the natural processes of plants.

This means fruits, vegetables, and grains are grown without chemical pesticides and herbicides. Farmers replace these with green composts and natural insect repellents. To be labeled organic, products must comply with the USDA’s National Organic Program rules.

How Is Natural Farming Different?

Natural farming is more focused on the production of meat and eggs than it is produce or grains. This area of farming deals with the processing procedures that use artificial ingredients, such as steroids, to accelerate the growth of animals for food production.

As the name suggests, this type of production prides itself on all-natural ingredients and processes, boasting a healthier, cleaner food output as a result. There are no regulations for the labeling of “natural” foods if they don’t contain meat or eggs.

Why Both Methods Are Valuable

There’s considerable debate on both sides concerning food production. While many people worry about healthy eating, they aren’t always sure which strategies they should follow when cleaning up their diet.

Both natural and organic farming allows people to keep artificial, potentially dangerous chemicals out of their food and bodies. Thanks to the growing concern about health food, both types of agriculture and their respective labeling practices make smart eating more accessible. 

If you would like organic healthy food but do not have access to it, Growing Food Growing People in St. Louis, MO, can help. With a commitment to healthy food production and distribution, this organization donates healthy food to the community to help change people’s minds on eating better. They also sell their food to local farmer’s markets to spread the word about healthy eating. For more information about their services, visit the website. Call (314) 518-2048 with any questions you may have.