Is Organic Farming More Sustainable?

If you’ve ever found yourself in the grocery store staring at that little label organic label and wondering what it all means, you’re certainly not the only one! However, when it comes to organic farming versus traditional practices and the impacts they have on the environment, it all boils down to a few main differences. So, what does organic mean? According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food that features the USDA organic seal is grown and processed following a specific set of regulations. The organic farming definition refers to food that is grown without toxic or synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones or artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. Organic farming is growing fast across America, with 22,000 certified organic farms and businesses across the country — a number that continues to grow. Research shows that organic farming practices can contribute to soil health, improve water quality, conserve energy and increases biodiversity. Deciding to become certified organic helps producers and handlers support local economies, soil structure and reduce the risk for humans, animals and the environment to be exposed to toxic chemicals. If you’re looking to dive into the topic of all things organic and find yourself wondering what is organic food and how can I incorporate it into my cooking and baking, read on! This article is for you.

Organic Farro

Farro is a popular ancient grain and a relative of modern-day wheat. In ancient Rome, it was a mainstay of the daily diet. Our Organic Farro is a good source of iron and plant-based protein. It’s hearty and chewy and has a wonderfully rich and nutty flavor. Incorporate it into dishes like casseroles, pilafs, soups or salads. This Mediterranean Farro Salad uses baked or fried eggplant, red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint and dill with a lemony olive oil dressing to create the perfect summer dish. You can also experiment with “farrotto” as an alternative to traditional risotto.

Organic Buckwheat Groats

Our Organic Buckwheat Groats are the hulled seeds of the buckwheat plant. They have a mild and grassy flavor and are a great addition to everything from soups to salads. This traditional Eastern European grain is a must-have ingredient for classic dishes like potato knish. Freshly ground buckwheat can be used for delicious homemade soba noodles, and you can even use this gluten free wonder seed to whip up a batch of Buckwheat Granola. This recipe can be found on our bags of organic buckwheat groats and incorporates ingredients like Gluten Free Organic Rolled Oats, sliced almonds, Shelled Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, White Hulled Sesame Seeds, Dried Cranberries and coconut flakes for a sweet and crunchy breakfast or snack. The flavors are brought together with maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract for a surprising and delightful flavor.

Organic Hard Red Spring Wheat Berries

Our Organic Hard Red Wheat Berries are high in protein and nutty flavor. These dark northern wheat kernels can be ground into a fresh flour or used in soups, salads and stews. We select high protein hard red wheat from the finest organic wheat crops available, so you can rest assured that this product is the best of the best. If you’re looking to experiment with this high-protein product, try our recipe for Sprouted Whole Wheat Bread. It’s easy to throw together and incorporates a couple other organic favorites, like Organic Whole Wheat Flour and Organic Quick Cooking Rolled Oats. The molasses adds to the already robust taste of the wheat berries for a loaf you’ll want to keep making again and again!

Organic Steel Cut Oats

Our Organic Steel Cut Oats are freshly milled from high protein organic oats and cut into pieces on a steel burr mill. They’re also award-winning! In fact, our steel cut oats took home the winning trophy at the 2009 and 2016 Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship in Carrbridge! This well-earned title of World's Best Oatmeal® means that these power packed oats make for a delicious breakfast. You can even cook them in the slow cooker overnight and wake up to a ready-made bowl of goodness. If you’re looking to go a bit more gourmet with your oats, try this recipe for Oregon Marionberry and Hazelnut Oats. It comes to life with a divine hazelnut crumble, fresh marionberries and our steel cut oats, of course!

Organic Golden Flaxseed Meal

Our Organic Golden Flaxseed Meal is a bag of gold — literally! We take high quality golden flax and grind it at a cool temperature to preserve the oil and increase the bioavailability of the nutrients, so you can get the most out of every single bite. Flax meal can be added to bread, pancakes, muffins or cookies for a bit of extra nutty flavor. It also be used as an egg replacer (1 tablespoon ground flax to 3 tablespoons water for each egg). We love enjoying our flaxseed meal in these Gluten Free and Vegan Yeast Waffles. These beauties feature our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and are “freckled with flax” for a perfectly sweet, crisp treat that’s waiting for all your favorite toppings, like organic strawberries and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

At Bob’s Red Mill, we love our flour, and we really love our Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. It’s 100% stone ground and made from the finest soft white wheat, which means it has a lower protein content that’s perfect for tender and whole grain baked goods. It’s also great for fluffy pancakes, buttery biscuits and flaky pie crusts! These Blueberry Oat Crumb Bars combine this lovely flour with Organic Regular Rolled Oats, Organic Coconut Sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, butter and sliced almonds for a true organic treat (just make sure the other ingredients you’re purchasing have that organic label, too, if you’d like your bars to be fully organic).

Organic Quinoa Flour

Our Organic Quinoa Flour (pronounced keen-wa) is one of the most nutritious grain flours available! The Incas dubbed it the “mother of all grains” and connected with the grain spiritually, centering traditions and ceremonies around the cultivation, harvest and consumption of it. This grain is rich in nutrients and is a source of complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids. It’s great for those following a gluten free, vegan or vegetarian diet, and puts a twist on everything from breads to waffles. Use this nutty, earthy grain for delicious dishes like Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake. This coffee cake has a base of Sorghum Flour, Organic Quinoa Flour, Almond Flour, Tapioca Flour and Organic Coconut Sugar, so it’s packed with nutrients and flavor. It also boasts flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, lemon zest and coconut milk (plus the blueberries). With a coconut and pecan streusel topping, you’re in for a real quinoa-inspired treat!

Organic Medium Grain Brown Rice

Our Organic Medium Grain Brown Rice is certified organic and has a deliciously nutty flavor. It’s a great choice for side dishes and pilafs and offers a wonderful source of dietary fiber. Its beautiful oval shape can be cooked with coconut milk, turmeric and mushrooms for an easy flavorful side dish we just can’t get enough of. If you’re a fan of brown rice, you can also try our Organic Brown Rice Farina. It’s a wholesome way to start your day and can even be eaten as a dinner side dish as a fun alternative to polenta or grits. Or get your pups on board the organic train and show them some love with these Dog Treats, which are chock full of all sorts of organic goodness, like Organic Brown Rice Farina, Organic Whole Wheat Flour and Organic Quick Cooking Rolled Oats. Whether you’re just diving into understanding the world of organic farming and organic ingredients, or you’ve been eating this way for a long time, we hope you’ll get creative with our organic products! Have any favorite ways you like to utilize Bob’s Red Mill organics? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below! We look forward to hearing what you like to whip up! Sources: https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic