Organic Labeling Requirements

This one-page overview explains how the term “organic” may be used at the La Grange Farmers Market. These requirements are designed to protect consumers, ensure fair representation among vendors, and align with USDA Organic standards.

1. Core Principle

Only USDA Certified Organic products may be labeled or marketed as “organic.”

Vendors who are not USDA Certified Organic may not use the term “organic” in product names, pricing signage, booth signage, or marketing materials in a way that implies certification.

2. USDA Certified Organic Vendors

Vendors who hold USDA Organic certification:

  • May label and market only the specific certified products as organic

  • Must provide documentation demonstrating certification during the application process

  • Must ensure all organic claims are product-specific, not general

If a certified vendor sells both organic and non-organic products:

  • Non-organic products must not be labeled or implied as organic

  • Organic and non-organic products must be clearly distinguished

3. Vendors Without USDA Organic Certification

Vendors who are not USDA Certified Organic:

  • May not label or market any product as “organic”

  • May not use general signage such as “Organic,” “Organic Farm,” or similar phrases

However, non-certified vendors may describe production methods using qualifying language, such as:

  • “Grown using organic practices”

  • “Produced without synthetic pesticides”

  • “Naturally grown”

Such language must be factual, accurate, and must not imply certification.

4. Booth Signage Rules

To avoid consumer confusion:

  • General booth signage using the word “organic” is not permitted unless all products being represented are USDA Certified Organic

  • Product-level signage must match the information submitted in the vendor application

  • Market staff may require correction or removal of non-compliant signage during market hours

5. Application Disclosure & Approval

As part of the vendor application, vendors are required to:

  • Disclose whether any products are USDA Certified Organic

  • Identify which products, if any, will be labeled or marketed as organic

  • Acknowledge compliance with organic labeling and signage rules

Products not disclosed in the application may require prior approval before being labeled or marketed as organic.

6. Enforcement & Compliance

The Farmers Market reserves the right to:

  • Review signage and labeling for compliance

  • Require immediate correction of misleading or inaccurate organic claims

  • Take further action if repeated or intentional violations occur

These measures help maintain transparency, fairness, and consumer trust across the market.

7. Questions

Vendors with questions about organic labeling or certification requirements are encouraged to contact market staff before market day to avoid compliance issues.