Is Hydroponically Grown Food Organic?

Walk into the produce section of a grocery store and you’ll notice there are really two areas within: organic and non-organic. Usually, the majority of produce will be non-organic, with only about 20% of the produce having the coveted organic label. If the two kinds of produce cost the same, the selection would certainly go the other way around. Maybe there wouldn’t be any non-organic food at all. That’s the way it should be anyway. We should all be eating organic food!

The problem is organic produce is often 30%–50% more expensive. Most people opt for the cheaper produce because it’s easy to think about your wallet before the longer-term consequences. And this is why the produce section has an 80% non-organic skew.

Growing Food Hydroponically

One of the beautiful things about growing food in a hydroponic tower garden is that you’re in complete control of how the food is grown. You decide how much light and water your plants receive. Since you’re growing in small, family-sized batches, the grow is much more manageable. You’re not a farmer trying to maximize yield over acres of land. You’re simply trying to have a nice sustainable crop to get you through spring — fresh, natural food for you and your family. And of course, you won’t be spraying your food with pesticides of any kind.

That’s what makes people wonder: is hydroponically grown food organic?

What Does “Organic” Really Mean?

Look up the word “organic,” and you’ll get a few different definitions depending on the source. But essentially, organic food is grown without any artificial additives or chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides, and does not contain any genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Although food grown under this definition should be considered organic, there has been debate about whether hydroponically grown food truly qualifies as organic. The main reason is that hydroponic systems do not use soil. Historically, one of the tests for USDA-certified organic foods has been soil quality. Since hydroponics doesn’t use soil, it has become a circular argument.

USDA Ruling on Organic Hydroponic Food

Certifying foods as organic has both its proponents and opponents, with big dollars at stake. In fact – it became such a big debate that the courts had to get involved to settle the case.

Fortunately the courts have brought clarity to the issue. In 2021 the United States District Court in Northern California ruled that the USDA may continue certifying hydroponically grown foods as organic, and that hydroponic systems qualify for the National Organic Program (NOP). This court decision was appealed, but in 2022 – the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s ruling. Hydroponically grown food would be considered organic and certified as such.

Hydroponic Gardening at Home

Growing food at home with your hydroponic tower is a form of organic hydroponic gardening. You’re growing fresh, clean food without the use of chemicals. Because hydroponic towers don’t use soil, they’re easy to bring indoors, making your space into a mini urban farm. You don’t need a yard to have your very own organic hydroponic garden.

FAQs

1. Is hydroponically grown food organic?
   Yes. The USDA says that hydroponically grown food can be certified as organic as long as the growing procedure doesn't use synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or GMOs.
2. Why do some people say hydroponic food isn’t organic?
   Some people say that organic farming requires soil, yet court decisions have shown that soil is not necessary for hydroponic systems to be certified as organic.
3. What are the benefits of organic hydroponic gardening?
   You receive cleaner, fresher fruits and vegetables that aren't cultivated with toxic chemicals. You may also grow plants indoors all year long with less water and space.
4. Can I grow organic hydroponic food at home?
   Of course! Even if you don't have a yard, home hydroponic towers make it easy to cultivate organic herbs, greens, and veggies.