Certified Organic is a subset of organic foods and plants. It’s a regulated process that requires producers to follow specific rules and methods in their growing. Farms that grow Certified Organic foods, for example, must be free of chemical use for at least three years.

Certified Organic are more expensive than traditionally grown, sometimes twice as much due to a number of factors. Normally when fertilizers and pesticides are used produce is larger more robust. Certified Organic, which does not use these tools, tend to yield smaller crops or those that are more likely to fall prey to insects and disease. The increased cost of producing is inevitably passed along to the consumer. Using Organic or Certified Organic product is particularly important if you plan to use the skin of produce. Skin is more likely to absorb chemicals and contain pesticide residue.