If you are a buyer of organic food, then you are probably familiar with the green and white USDA emblem that is on most high quality, certified organic food items. However, you may also have noticed some new, unfamiliar labels appearing on the organic food products you regularly purchase. Some companies have chosen to take steps beyond what’s needed for an organic certification and have been garnering additional labels to make consumers aware of their efforts. Yet, all these new labels can get a bit confusing. Here’s a handy decoder with all the latest eco-friendly labels that you can take on your next shopping trip:

Fair Trade

What is it?
Corporate farmers in the U.S. do not earn enough money to making a living by growing food for the rest of the country; the government subsidizes their wages so they can continue to farm. However, even with help from Uncle Sam most farmers earn just enough to eek by. Even worse are the wages paid to farmers in (usually) third world countries growing food to be exported to the U.S. These farmers frequently have no choice but to work for far less than a living wage in order to feed their starving families. Many consumers have decided that they’d rather not support unethical companies that do not pay their farmers a fair wage. Fair trade labels were designed to go on food products that have been manufactured by companies who pay their farmers a living wage.

Fair Trade Labels
So far there are two main fair trade certifiers. Look for either a red and white square patch with the words “Equal Exchange, Fairly Traded” or a black and white square patch with a drawing of a farmer on it and the words “Fair Trade Certified.”

Sustainable Agriculture

What is it?
You may not be aware of this but the methods corporate farmers use cannot be sustained indefinitely. As more and more pests become resistant to pesticides and as farm chemicals further degrade natural soil quality, industrial farming will ultimately fail. It happened once before; in the 1930’s farmers overused the heartland of the country without considering future repercussions and caused the dust bowl that compounded the effects of the Great Depression. Sustainable agriculture implements eco-friendly practices that can be sustained indefinitely. You can buy food products that were grown using only sustainable methods.

Sustainable Agriculture Labels
There are three companies that certify manufacturers who practice sustainable agriculture: California Clean, Rainforest Alliance Certified, and The Food Alliance.

Biodynamic Farming

What is it?
Biodynamic farming goes above and beyond organic farming regarding both nutritional quality of the food and earth-friendly farming practices. These practices take a holistic approach, focusing on soil health using only perfectly balanced organic fertilizers and being aware of universal energy patterns and plant biology. It also promotes a connection between consumers and farmers.

Biodynamic Labels
There is only one organization that currently certifies biodynamic farms; look for a black and white square patch with the word “Demeter” on it.

It’s important to remember that most products with any of the above labels will also be organic, but this is not a guarantee. To ensure that your product is organic be sure to still check for the USDA Organic certification.

Non-Organic Labels

These labels appear on non-organic foods:

• Reduced Pesticide Labels: Organic foods are pesticide free, but some companies do opt to use fewer pesticides. These companies are certified by Home Grown (Healthy Grown) Wisconsin Potatoes and NutriClean Pesticide Residue Free.
• No GMOs: By law, organic foods cannot contain any genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but some non-organic companies opt to not use GMOs as well. These companies are certified by the Maine Quality Trademark Seal.