Organic v. Eco-Farmed

Lundberg Family Farms produces both certified organic rice and Eco-Farmed rice, which is a special integrated rice growing system that we developed many years ago as an improvement on many typical conventional rice growing practices.  In order to illustrate how organic, Eco-Farmed and conventional rice production differs, we have provided this simplified table comparing the three systems.  

Each of these three farming methods must, in some form, address the same issues: soil fertility, planting, irrigation & water management, pest control, harvest, straw incorporation, and storage. Our goal is to better our customers' understanding of Lundberg rice farming methods as compared to conventional methods.

 Eco-Farmed

At Lundberg Family Farms®, we don't grow typical conventional rice. All of our certified organic and Eco-Farmed rice is grown with a concern for the environment. We treat the soil, air, and water as important resources, respecting the delicate balances of nature. We have created a blend of organic practices and integrated pest management techniques to create our own growing system that we call Eco-Farmed. We think that you will find it above and beyond conventional rice production practices while still providing an important option for price-conscious consumers.

Organic

Lundberg Family Farms'® products labeled as "organic" or "organically grown" are grown, handled, and processed in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program. California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) inspects our fields, farms, granaries, rice mill, production facilities, organic system plan, and records; these inspections are part of the process that allows CCOF and others to certify our organic products. We believe that our integrity and commitment to organic farming since 1968 provides a trustworthy foundation for our organic rice, but we know that customers appreciate and depend on the assurance and experience that CCOF and other certifiers provide. As one of the first organic farmers in the state with just a few hundred acres of organic rice, we now grow or contract for approximately 10,000 acres of organic rice. Even though we continue to grow some Eco-Farmed acreage using a reduced input dependent approach, our organic acreage is now close to 73% of all acreage grown and continues to grow as demand for organics continues to grow.

Lundberg Family Farms is certified organic by the following certifiers:

Various international laws carefully define acceptable organic growing, handling, and processing methods approved for each region. In addition, the laws require detailed record- keeping, natural pest control, a workforce educated in acceptable organic practices, labels that conform to organic requirements, and an ability to track and trace all products back to organic fields. In summary, Lundberg Family Farms' organic and organically grown products:

    1. Are grown, harvested, handled, milled, processed, packaged, warehoused and distributed utilizing farming and handling practices approved by USDA (all product exported to japan is by and MAFF).
    2. No prohibited fertilizers, pesticides, or growth regulators have been applied to organic fields or crops for a minimum of 36 months. In many fields organic practices have been in place for over twenty years.
    3. Only microorganisms, microbiological products and materials consisting of, or derived or extracted solely from plant, animal, or mineral bearing rock substances have been applied during production, storing, processing, harvesting and packaging; and
    4. Accurate records are kept of field location and acreage used for growing organic crops, the applications made to the soil or applied to the plants or added to the irrigation water, and such records are retained for at least five years after the crop is sold and delivered.

In addition to the legal requirements of organic production, Lundberg Family Farms pursues a positive program of ecological stewardship in all their rice by:

    1. Returning rice straw to the soil after harvest (instead of burning) to enrich the soil and protect the air and the environment.
    2. Practicing crop rotation; utilizing nitrogen-fixing crops for soil enrichment.
    3. Providing valuable habitat for a variety of animals. For example, migrating waterfowl rest in flooded fields during the winter and in return they help to decompose straw and improve soil fertility.
    4. Practicing water-conserving irrigation.
    5. Never growing genetically engineered rice varieties.
    6. Using only natural pest control systems in our handling and processing facilities.
    7. Generating and purchasing green power for our handling and processing facilities

We are happy to offer these whole, natural foods to you, our valued customer. Since food is basic to good health, and since good health is the foundation of a happy and creative society, we treat our food with the greatest respect and care.