Walnut Acres we believe you can contribute to the long-term health and well being of yourself and your family and the environment by choosing certified organic foods. Increasingly, conventional foods are made from ingredients that contain residues of toxic synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones and other contaminants and may be irradiated. The effects of long-term exposure to these are unknown, including the impact on the developing systems of children.

There is growing evidence that organic foods are better for us. They tend to be grown in nutrient rich soil without the use of artificial pesticides. Real Nutrition firmly believes that organic foods are not only better for our environment but also better for our health.

Our product is grown and processed in Southern Alberta, Canada and is "identity preserved" in lots equivalent to certified organic. Every lot can be traced to its source and is laboratory tested to guarantee the absence of contaminants. Our partner and processor has over 30 years of experience in the food processing business, and designed and constructed the only large facility in the world that is dedicated to the production of shelled hemp seed.

Organic' refers to a method of agriculture and food production.Organic agriculture begins with certified organic land, on which prohibited substances cannot have been used for at least 3 years. Organic agriculture also involves regular crop rotation to maintain natural soil health and eliminate the need for toxic synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This optimizes the health and productivity of soil life, plants, animals and people, all of which are interdpendent.

Our products are certified organic by Quality Assurance International. QAI is an independent, third-party certifying agent that verifies their organic integrity to meet the strict standards of the US Department of Agriculture. QAI certifies the production process to ensure our products are indeed certified organic. Areas covered include certification of:

Fresh organic fruits, vegetables and eggs often taste better than conventional ones. Dogs, with their remarkable sensitivity to smells, may be able to tell that our cookies do not contain preservatives or any other chemicals. Most dogs certainly seem to think that our treats are delicious!

That's a big question. There's no doubt that growing crops and raising animals organically is easier on the environment. I try to shop organically as much as possible, but to me, fresh and local is better than organic shipped from far away. Some organic foods definitely taste better than non-organic. I've even converted to Heinz organic ketchup because it tastes better than their regular ketchup. With some foods it's hard to tell, so let your budget, ethics and taste buds be your guide.

At OF&G we don’t like to say ‘better’, we like to say ‘different’. Most non-organic farmers also care about the countryside and the welfare of their animals and it would be unfair to suggest otherwise. However, we think that organic methods take care for the environment, animals and the end product to an even higher level, giving the consumer the choice to eat food produced in this sustainable way.

To obtain organic certification for a product a minimum of 95% of all ingredients of agricultural origin must be certified organic. The remaining 5% (or less) of ingredients are also bound by strict guidelines. They are, for example, not permitted to be synthetic chemicals or artificially processed ingredients. Independent third-party guarantee of quality, and purity of ingredients. * Safe, clean and potent plant extracts of high vitality.

Our customers are vital to us. The need for organic certification has developed where disconnect between the grower and the customer exists! Although we use organic principals in our production and ask the same from our producer alliance partners, we believe our current approach goes "beyond organic", meaning that we believe our products are best when 100% Pasture Finished. In this regard, we view education as a key component of understanding our methods and valuing our products.

Of course the obvious answer is your local health food store. They will be more likely to have raw nuts, seeds and grains than a regular grocery store, but you still have to watch out because even in a health food store they carry many roasted nuts. Read the labels carefully! Also, taste or smell them to check for staleness or rancidity. Let your health food store manager know if you want fresher products. Another good place to look is in ethnic food markets.

This battle has been going on forever between raw food devotees and those who believe that a balance between the two food groups is necessary. I love the incorporation of more raw foods/veggies, nuts, seeds, etc. due to the high amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals these foods normally contain. There is no doubt that we are consuming diets that are too processed — white breads and pastas, rice and deserts — that are void of most nutritional benefits.

Organically grown foods are grown without the use of any harmful chemicals, pesticides, waxes, residues and synthetic fertilizers that are toxic and harmful to your body. Not only do organically grown foods taste better, they are more nutritious for you. Recent studies have shown that organically grown products provide more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than conventional foods.

Yes, they have been tested (see our lab results) and are completely natural. No human or animal wastes are used in the compost. Our compost is 1/2 vermicompost (worm poop) and 1/2 thermal heated garden wastes. Click here for a list of our food and ingredients.

All of us need water, air and food to live. So, what could be more important than having clean water, clean air and nutritious food to fuel our bodies? There is nothing more important than your health and your families health. That $75 pair of designer jeans will make its way to the garbage some day. But the gentically modified ingredients may just stay floating in our bodies forever. Food was never intended to be mass produced this way.

Organic agriculture is based upon a systematic approach and standards that can be verified and are recognized internationally. Natural foods, on the other hand, have no legal definition or recognition, and are not based on a systematic approach. While natural products may generally be minimally processed, there are no requirements to provide proof, leaving open the possibility for fraud and misuse of the term.

Yes. Reseach has shown that foods grown under a certified organic system are higher in essential nutrients. Organic foods have been shown to contain consistently more vitamin C, calcium , magnesium, chromium and anti-oxidants than conventional foods.

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) was Title XXI of the 1990 Farm Bill. Its purpose was to establish national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled as organic. Previously, private and State agencies had been certifying organic practices, but there was no uniformity in standards and therefore no guarantee that organic meant the same thing from state to state, or even locally from certifier to certifier.