Organic refers not only to the food itself, but also to how it’s produced and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that mimics natural ecosystems and maintains and replenishes the fertility and nutrients of the soil. Organic production integrates cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promotes ecological balance and conserves biodiversity. Organic foods are produced without the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation. Processed organic foods are handled carefully to maintain the integrity of organic ingredients going into the products.

100% Organic =

• All organic ingredients
• Any processing aids used must be organic
• No non-organic ingredients are used
• USDA Seal allowed
• Must list organic certification agent
• Example: 100% Organic Cereal

While we support organic foods in general, we are committed to always being 100% organic. It takes a passionate commitment, but it is well worth the effort.

Genesis Juice is certified organic by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO), an internationally recognized symbol of organic integrity.

The purpose of organic certification is to ensure that the agreed upon conventions of organic agricultural systems are being practiced not only by growers, but also by all the people who handle and process organic food, feed and fiber on its journey to the consumer. In order to accomplish this, OTCO provides a system that combines strict production standards, on-site inspections and legally binding contracts to protect the producers and buyers of organic products.

...and why do you use it?

The short answer is that instead of heat pasteurizing our juice, we pressure pasteurize it. High pressure squeezes the bad stuff out and leaves the good stuff in, so the juice tastes just like it does when you fresh squeeze it.

Let’s get technical

High Pressure Processing is a process that pressurizes a food or beverage product at an extremely high pressure rate. Food-borne pathogens and other organisms causing spoilage cannot survive the pressure. HPP is a non-thermal pasteurization process that causes minimal changes in the ‘fresh’ characteristics of foods by eliminating thermal degradation. When compared to thermal processing (flash pasteurization and the like), HPP results in foods with fresher taste, better appearance, texture and nutrition. Accordingly, the quality of HPP pasteurized food is very similar to that of fresh food products.

That’s why we’re able to preserve the fresh taste of our fruit in bottles that have been shipped from our little operation to your local store. That’s why they still taste as fresh when you open the bottle as when we bottled it. That’s why the only way you’ll get a fresher taste is to get a ladder and pick your own fruit. Then stuff it in a bottle, of course.

If you want to know more, check out these links.

HPP Fact Sheet for Food Processors, published by the Ohio State University

For a cool guided tour of the process and to see Iowa Public Television’s Market to Market program on Avure HPP, click here.

The basic reason is because at this time, plastic is actually a more environmentally sound choice than glass. We use PETE #1 plastic for the following reasons:

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) #1 doesn’t leach, and is generally considered the safest single-use plastic-bottle choice.
2. It is the most desired plastic for recycling.
3. It is dramatically lighter than other bottle options, which means less fuel is used to create each bottle.
4. It’s a better barrier to gases than other plastic, so our bottles protect our juices’ good nutrients from oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases that might affect the nutritional quality and taste.
5. Plastic is a more space and energy efficient way to package our amazing juice. A single plastic bottle uses fewer resources to create, fill, ship, and distribute than a single glass bottle. This is because glass bottles weigh up to nine times more than plastic bottles.

Also, using the plastic bottles enables us to use the high pressure process that makes our juice so unique. The juice is brimming with nutritional value and we’re actually using less resources than we would if we used glass bottles.

We do encourage you to recycle the bottles.