top of page
Oatmeal with Nuts

What is Organic?

The Canadian Organic Standards are guided by four core principles: Health, Ecology, Fairness, and Care. These principles are enshrined in industry-developed standards approved by consumers and verified annually by accredited, third party certification bodies. As of 2009, National Canadian Organic Standards became backed by government regulation and oversight.

​

As defined in the Canadian Organic Standards, General Principles and Management Standards (CAN/CGSB-32.310) “Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The principle goal of organic production is to develop operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment”.

​

In Canada, certified organic products are labelled with the COR (Canada Organic Regime) Logo, verifying all applicable regulatory requirements, standards and guidance documents were met in the growing and processing of that product.

COR Logos.png

FAQ's

What does organic mean?

Organic food crops are grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or synthetic fertilizers, and are non-GMO. 

 

Organic processed food is free from irradiation, artificial colors and sweeteners, preservatives and many other processing aids and ingredients.

 

Organic meat, dairy products, and eggs are produced from animals which are fed organic feed and have requirements around grazing, outdoor access, and allowing natural behaviors.

 

Organic livestock and poultry are not given antibiotics, hormones, or medication (other than vaccinations) in the absence of illness. If antibiotics are required to treat a sickness in meat animals, that animal can no longer be sold into the organic market.

​

The Canada Organic Standards dictate what can and can't be used in the production of crops, livestock, processed products, seafood, mushrooms, sprouts, honey and maple products.

​

The Canada Organic Standards are publicly available online for anyone that wants to learn more detail.

Why buy Organic?

Certified organic food is produced in a way that supports the well-being of the environment, animals and people.

 

Organic food reduces your exposure to chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, and synthetic substances. Organic farming also reduces farmer and farm-worker exposure to chemicals.

​

Studies have found increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids in organic dairy products and improved fatty acid profiles in organic meat products, as well as higher levels of antioxidants in some organic plant based foods.

​

Organic farming fosters biodiversity and supports pollinator health. It reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35% per acre and 15% per unit of production.

​

Certified organic food is backed by a third-party certification system. Every part of the supply chain from seed to fork is documented and verified to be in compliance with the standards.

​

When you see the Organic Logo on a food or beverage item, you can feel confident knowing that the food was grown and processed to meet our rigorous Canadian Organic Standards.

Why does organic cost more?

Organic farming is more labour intensive and requires more space – for example: there is a limit to how many organic animals can be in a designated space, and natural fertility building strategies like green manures (growing a legume crop for nitrogen fixation) mean organic farmland is not always planted with a crop destined for market.  

​​

Organic producers and processors are required to keep meticulous records from seed to sale, and pay an annual fee for certification of their farm or facility and products.​

​

Conventional food benefits from a well organized supply chain with high volumes and competition among retailers. This can hide the true costs of growing and selling food.

​

Organic products don't always cost more. This Canadian case study found that in some instances, common organic grocery items were actually cheaper than the conventional alternative.

 

Shopping in bulk, buying 'imperfect' produce, cooking meals from scratch, and supporting local can be strategies to maximize your organic food budget. 

​

What do I look for
when grocery shopping?

Look for the Canada Organic Regime Logo!

 

In addition to the Canada Organic Regime Logo, you might see other organic logos and seals on products in the grocery store. Click here to learn about the national, provincial, and international organic logos you might see in addition to the COR logo.

​

Canada has equivalency agreements for trade of organic products with other countries. Canada only establishes an organic equivalency arrangement with another country after assessing and comparing the two regulatory systems, including the standards, to determine whether the principles and outcomes achieved are consistent.

​

Canada has equivalency agreements with Costa Rica, European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Woman Shopping for Groceries

Resources

Want to learn more about organic food and farming? We've got you covered! Click on the links below for helpful resources.

Homemade Bread

Factsheets & Postcards

Organic Home Garden

videos & Magazines

Free Range Chicken Farm

Other Websites

Recipes

We’ve gathered the delicious recipes from past issues of Abundance Magazine and brought them to you here. The guest chefs who provided these recipes used quality organic ingredients sourced from local organic producers whenever possible. Happy cooking!

Muffins

Looking for a local organic product? 

We may be able to help! Get in touch by filling out the form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with some leads.

© 2025 by SaskOrganics
Powered and secured by Wix

Disclaimer: 
Advertising and marketing for third parties posted on the website should not be considered an endorsement by SaskOrganics Association Inc. of any third-party advertiser or their products or services. In no event shall the SaskOrganics Association Inc. be liable for any losses or damages whether directly or indirectly arising from or related to services or products provided by any third-party advertiser. Furthermore, all material and content posted on the website is provided for information purposes only. Information and material is presented on and “as is” basis and should be used at your own risk as the SaskOrganics Association Inc. will not be held liable for any errors or omissions contained in the information provided.

bottom of page