Organic foods have been grown without chemical synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. In many cases, other sustainable farming methods have been used in growing which can mean better soil quality and thus more nutritious produce. Check to see that foods you buy are "certified organic", which means a third party has checked out the farm or facility to make sure that no harmful chemicals have been used. California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) checks farms and facilities annually, to ensure that no harmful chemicals have been used for at least three years, that foods are processed using sustainable methods, and that growers and processors keep detailed records of their practices.