From the Grower to Your Grocer: DLM's Produce is Certified Organic

The crisp crunch of a succulent apple that has been certified organic from its beginning as a seed to your home is here. Dorothy Lane Market's Produce Departments are the first and only ones in the area to be certified organic. Rest assured, as your teeth sink through that apple's glowing skin and juice-jammed fruit, that it has been grown and cared for the organic way, the natural way.

José Manzano, Director of the Produce Departments, has worked diligently to provide the best taste and quality in produce. We've been practicing organic principles all along. It was just time for those practices to be put to the test, and we passed.”

Dorothy Lane offers a choice between organic and conventional produce when the price difference is substantial. When the price difference is small or there is no difference, only the organic product will be offered.

The certification was approved by the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association, a third party regulated by the Department of Agriculture and the Organic Trade Association. Every certified organic crunchy carrot or juicy apple is properly labeled. “When you see that label, it represents a guarantee. We assure that the integrity has been maintained from grower to the grocer and to your home, said José.

Carol Ulrich of Beavercreek has bought Dorothy Lane Market's organic produce for the past five years and doesn't feel comfortable buying elsewhere. “It really impresses me that Dorothy Lane has taken the step to do that (certify organic),” said Ulrich.

Going organic is more than just a choice. José said, “It is part of a healthy lifestyle for the person and the planet. The techniques used in organic farming are good for the environment — no herbicides, no pesticides.” People choose to consume organic produce for various reasons: overall health, taste, environmental concerns, medical problems, etc.

Ulrich's family began eating organic when her husband was diagnosed with food allergies. She said that certain produce items high in nitrates, such as tomatoes and potatoes, would have been eliminated from their diet, but have been included due to the vast varieties in organic produce at Dorothy Lane.

Ron Gordon, a Dorothy Lane shopper, said his wife, Lynn, a nurse, is extremely health-conscious. The two exercise avidly and they are attentive to the food they eat. “We've watched the (organic) selection grow in your store, and it's been really important,” said Ron; “We will buy as much organic produce as you provide.”

Donna Kazee did not have much of a choice when her family switched to a diet of mainly meat, organic vegetables, and a little fruit. Her son lost 80 percent of his intestines shortly after birth, and has food allergies. She said the organic diet makes a significant difference in his health. “We feel very fortunate,” said Donna. Her son is now five years old.

Dorothy Lane is proud to offer certified organic produce that is better for your health and the environment. Organic care of a delicious apple begins on an organic certified farm such as Orion, Stemilt, or Earthbound Farms. The farmer's organic certification is renewed annually by inspectors, just like our certification. They use ecologically-friendly methods and substances to improve the soil and control pests. No harmful chemicals, such as herbicides or pesticides, are applied to their products.

The organic certified process continues once that sweet apple leaves the farm and is loaded onto a truck to begin the journey to its final destination—your taste buds. The produce either comes straight to our store from the farm or through an organic certified distributor for example, Caito Foods of Indianapolis. The responsibility to continue the organic certification is proudly accepted by our Produce Departments.

Here's how:
Storage — The organic produce is:
- protected from contact with conventional produce to prevent contamination.
- kept in separate parts of coolers and storage areas.

Handling — You can be sure that:
- the organic produce is displayed separately.
- the organic produce is bagged separately at the checkout.
- sanitized surfaces are used to prepare and package the organic produce.

Traceability — We guarantee:
- the organic produce is from a certified organic farm.
- the produce has maintained its integrity as organic every step of the way.

Megan Walsworth, farm manager at Orion Farms, organic certified since 2003, said, "We work very hard to have everything as pure as it can be, and if it is thrown in with regular produce it defeats the purpose. It certainly means a great deal to us that DLM has carried the integrity to the consumer. It proves their commitment to their customers."

That commitment to bring the best quality of products to customers will always exist, encouraging Dorothy Lane to be proactive. Count on us, the only organic certified produce grocer in the area, to bring you the best fruits and vegetables around.