Certified Organic or Sustainably Grown?
What’s the difference, and why does it matter?
Midwest Elderberry Cooperative works with a diverse network of member and nonmember farms across the United States, primarily in the Midwest. While their operations vary in size, location, and growing methods, many share a commitment to healthy soils, responsible land management, and producing high-quality American elderberries.
Our growers offer both Certified Organic and Sustainably Grown elderberries. Understanding the distinction can help customers choose the products that best meet their needs.
Certified Organic
Certified organic elderberries are grown on farms that have been inspected and certified by an accredited third-party organization under the USDA National Organic Program.
Certification requires compliance with federal organic production standards, including restrictions on synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and other agricultural inputs. Certified farms must also maintain records and undergo regular inspections to verify continued compliance.
Many of MEC’s certified organic growers use traditional soil-building practices such as mulching, composting, and applying manure to support soil fertility and plant health.
Sustainably Grown
Our sustainably grown elderberries come from farms that are not certified organic but employ agricultural practices intended to support environmental stewardship and responsible crop production.
Some of these farms follow practices similar to those used in certified organic production but choose not to pursue certification because of its costs, administrative requirements, or the nature of their markets.
Other growers may use certain agricultural inputs that are not permitted under organic certification, including limited applications of conventional herbicides or pesticides. These growers may incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to monitor pests and reduce unnecessary chemical applications.
Because sustainably grown is not a standardized federal certification, specific practices can vary among farms. The designation should not be interpreted as equivalent to USDA organic certification.
Choosing the Right Product
For individual consumers, the choice between certified organic and sustainably grown elderberries often comes down to personal preferences, priorities, and comfort with different agricultural practices.
For commercial buyers, the distinction may also affect ingredient sourcing, product labeling, and customer expectations.
Businesses producing elderberry syrups, beverages, supplements, or other value-added products should consider their customers’ preferences and applicable USDA organic labeling requirements when selecting ingredients.
Both growing methods contribute to MEC’s mission of supporting American elderberry production and expanding opportunities for domestic growers.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
American elderberries are native perennial shrubs well suited to cultivation in many parts of North America. Their adaptability and long productive lifespan make them a promising crop for diversified agricultural operations.
As perennial plants, elderberries can help maintain living root systems and permanent vegetation on agricultural land. Their flowers provide resources for pollinating insects, while established plantings can contribute to habitat diversity and soil protection.
MEC encourages growing practices that recognize the relationship between agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.
Across our grower network, these practices may include:
- Building soil health through compost, mulch, and organic matter management.
- Maintaining perennial vegetation and reducing unnecessary soil disturbance.
- Supporting pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Using responsible water and nutrient management practices.
- Applying Integrated Pest Management principles where appropriate.
- Incorporating elderberries into diversified farming systems.
Individual practices vary according to farm conditions, management decisions, and certification requirements.
By supporting a network of independent growers, MEC helps create economic opportunities for farms pursuing a range of responsible agricultural approaches.
Quality & Traceability
Maintaining product identity and traceability is an important part of MEC’s approach to sourcing American elderberries.
Our cooperative works with multiple farms, each with its own growing conditions, cultivars, and production methods. This diversity contributes to the character of American elderberries, but it also makes accurate product identification and handling essential.
Keeping Products Separate
MEC maintains a distinction between certified organic and sustainably grown elderberries throughout its sourcing and distribution process.
Products are identified by growing method, and certified organic products must be handled in accordance with applicable organic certification requirements.
This separation helps customers select ingredients that meet their sourcing needs and supports accurate product representation.
Tracking Our Elderberries
MEC uses lot identification to track elderberry products through its supply network.
Individual pails or boxes are identified with information that can include:
- The originating farm.
- The production or harvest lot.
- The year of harvest.
- In some cases, the field and cultivar or variety.
This information helps maintain product identity, supports inventory management, and provides a foundation for responding to customer questions about product origins.
Understanding Natural Variation
American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) exhibits considerable genetic diversity across its native range. Differences in cultivar, growing conditions, harvest timing, and processing can influence characteristics such as flavor, color, and soluble solids content.
As a result, agricultural ingredients may exhibit natural variation from one harvest or production lot to another.
MEC recognizes the importance of communicating relevant product characteristics to commercial buyers so they can evaluate ingredients for their intended applications.
Our goal is to connect customers with American-grown elderberry products while providing clear information about their origins, growing methods, and product characteristics.