The USDA’s National Organic Program has failed consumers and true organic farmers by refusing to enforce pasture requirements for organic livestock and by allowing hydroponic produce to bear the organic label. As such, add-on labels are emerging to help consumers differentiate between industrial and authentic organic. Cornucopia supports the efforts of the Real Organic Project to verify ethical farming practices.
The Real Organic Project (ROP) is a grassroots, farmer-led movement created to distinguish soil-grown and pasture-raised products. ROP has created an add-on label to assure consumers that what they are buying is authentic organic food from family farms.
In 2019, certified organic farms are eligible to apply for this add-on label, free of charge.
As a follow up to the 60 ROP-certified pilot farms across the country in 2018, ROP has begun their 2019 certification program.
Real certified organic farmers can be part of the pilot program! Apply online for free Real Organic Project certification–or call ROP Associate Director Linley Dixon at 970-317-0309 to apply by phone.
ROP personnel will inspect and certify real organic farms that meet ROP ’s Provisional Standards, requiring cows to be pastured, chickens to be given real outdoor access, and produce to be grown in the soil.
Consumers can continue to use Cornucopia’s Organic Dairy Scorecard, Organic Egg Scorecard, and Hydroponic Buyer’s Guide to find the highest-integrity brands available on the market.
