Certifications 

We are proud to bring you certified organic product, which has been inspected by an independent 3rd party. Who objectively evaluates our growing practices to determine if they abide by the rules of the USDA National Organic Program.
As of October 21, 2002, regulations for certifying organic products came under the National Organic Program (NOP) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The NOP created a set of national standards so that all consumers could have faith in the production and handling of organic food. All foods that fall under the NOP Standards carry the USDA Organic Seal.

The facilities at Cris-P Produce Company, as well as the land, products and facilities of our growers, are all certified organic by either of the following organizations: Quality Assurance International (Q.A.I.) or Oregon Tilth, Inc. (OTCO)

Both of these organizations are independent third party certifiers of organic food systems. Their job is to verify that organic integrity is maintained in all aspects of organic production.

Both parties are accredited through the NOP in conjunction with the USDA and the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA).

The National Organic Program - NOP
www.ams.usda.gov/nop

Organic production has been practiced in the United States since the late 1940s. From that time, the industry has grown from experimental garden plots to farms with surplus products to sell under a special "organic" label. Food manufacturers have developed organic processed products and many retail-marketing chains specialize in the sale of "organic" products. This growth stimulated a need for verification that products are indeed produced according to certain standards. Thus, the organic certification industry also evolved. By the late 1980's, after an attempt to develop a consensus of production and certification standards, the organic industry petitioned Congress to draft the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) defining "organic".

Congress passed the Act to: (1) establish national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural products as organically produced products; (2) assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3) facilitate commerce in fresh and processed food that is organically produced. This proposal is designed to implement the Act.

Under this law the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was mandated to write a regulation, which explains the law to producers, handlers and certifiers who are regulated. The OFPA also provided that an advisory board, the National Organic Standards Board, be assembled to help USDA write the regulation. The Board is comprised of 14 members, each representing different segments of the organic industry. They make recommendations to the Secretary, especially regarding the substances that can be used in organic production and handling.

As a result of the OFPA, USDA has dedicated much time and effort to fulfill the requirements of the statute. By adopting the NOSB recommendations, listening to public input, consulting with States and certifying agents, and considering other Federal regulations, the NOP Proposed Rule of 2000 has been developed and made available for review and public comment.

Quality Assurance International - QAI
www.qai-inc.com

Independent, third party certification of organic food systems has been the foundation of domestic and international organic food trade. Our job at QAI is to verify that the organic integrity is maintained.

The QAI Certification Program is designed to certify every step of the organic chain:

From the land on which the product is grown; to the producers growing the product; to the post-harvest facilities preparing the product; to the processing and handling facilities transforming the product.

* Land

* Post Harvest

* Distributors

* Producers

* Processors

* Restaurants

* Retailers

Since 1989, QAI's diligence, at every link in the organic production chain, continues to provide assurance that the actual product destined to enter into market distribution is indeed organic.

Oregon Tilth Certified Organic - OTCO
www.tilth.org/

Oregon Tilth is a non-profit research and education organization certifying organic farmers, processors, retailers and handlers throughout Oregon, the United States, and internationally.
Oregon Tilth is a member-driven organization with chapters throughout the state, and members around the world. Oregon Tilth's mission is to support organic and sustainable food production practices.