Produce

Best in Town

Year after year, our produce is voted "Best produce in town" by local newspapers. We specialize in organic produce. Our selection is colorful, fresh and abundant.

Our Produce Mission Statement

Organic produce will be purchased whenever possible ( no pesticides, herbicides, irradiation, or GMO’s). If organic is not available, an attempt will be made to purchase pesticide free produce. Conventional produce will be purchased only when organic or pesticide- free is unavailable, or when organic options are simply too expensive. Preference is always given to local and regional growers.

At the Co-op, we will only use the term "pesticide-free" to indicate produce that has never been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Many times we use "pesticide-free" to label produce from local farms or gardens which follow organic practices but are too small to afford organic certification.

What Does " Organically Grown" Really Mean?

There are national and state standards regulating what can be labeled "organic." While some farmers adopt more stringent standards, when you see the words "certified organic" you can be sure that:

1. No synthetic or petrochemical-based insecticides, fungicides, herbicides or fertilizers have been used.
2. Detailed records showing all inputs, growing methods, & harvest procedures, have been kept and are annually inspected as part of the certification process - this includes financial records.
3. The land on which the produce was grown must have been farmed organically or fallow-for three years before certification is given. A farmer cannot spray a field one year and be certified organic the next year.
4. Farmers must conform to certain practices that build the soil, such as composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, etc.
5. No irradiation or genetic engineering is allowed.

Organic Produce Freqently Asked Questions

Who certifies produce as organically grown?

In New Mexico, a state agency, the New Mexico Organic Commodities Commission is the body that inspects and certifies local farms as organic. The Commission, appointed by the governor, is composed of organic farmers from around the state. Three inspectors are hired by the Commission to make farm visits and check the records of the farms. On the basis of the reports from these inspectors, a decision is made whether to certify the farm. These certifications are renewed annually. In states where no governmental agency exists, certification is done by private certification agencies.

How do I know its organic?

At the Co-op, we will only use the word "organic" to label produce that has been certified by a state or industry body.

What does pesticide-free mean?

This term has been taken over by the conventional produce industry in an attempt to reassure customers concerned about pesticide use. Used on conventionally grown produce, this term only means that the harvested produce tests below the "acceptable" standards for residue. However, pesticides could have been used in the growing process and chemical fertilizers and herbicides have probably been used. At the Co-op, we will only use the term "pesticide-free" to indicate produce that has never been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Many times we use "pesticide-free" to label produce from local farms or gardens which follow organic practices but are too small to afford organic certification.

If its grown in Mexico, how can it be certified organic?

There are several private certification agencies that certify farms in Mexico. These farms must meet the same national standards required of farmers in the U.S. to obtain certification.

How can they grow such beautiful organic apples without pesticides?

Organic apple growers are increasingly turning to pheremones (chemical signals emitted by insects) to disrupt the mating process of coddling moths. This process is expensive, and many farmers simply cull out the damaged apples turning over between 20 to 80% of their crops to processors (for making cider, applesauce, etc.) and only sell undamaged apples to produce markets.

Why does organic cost more?

Instead of relying on herbicides to kill weeds, organic farmers pull weeds. Conventional cherries are sprayed to make the cherries drop—organic are not. Organic farming is more labor intensive-thus more costly in terms of point of sales, but the health benefits of eating food that has not been treated with synthetic chemicals or other unsafe treatments will save money in healthcare in the future.