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What is Naturally Grown Garlic?

 Understanding Certified Naturally Grown Garlic at Shipwrecked Garlic Co.

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🌱 What Does "Naturally Grown" Mean?

At Shipwrecked Garlic Co., all of our garlic is sustainably farmed, produced, and sold in the spirit of Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) standards. While we are not certified yet, we are actively transitioning to Certified Naturally Grown and working toward our certification.

CNG is a national grassroots alternative to the USDA’s National Organic Program. It was developed especially for small-scale farmers who sell through local channels such as:

  • Farmers markets

  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

  • Local grocery stores

  • Restaurants

These are the farmers who make up your local food landscape—hardworking, passionate growers who care deeply about what they produce.

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🌾 How CNG Compares to USDA Organic

Certified Naturally Grown uses growing standards based on USDA Organic rules but with key differences:

FeatureCertified Naturally Grown (CNG)USDA Certified Organic

FocusSmall/local growersFarms of all sizes

CostLow-costHigher certification fees

PaperworkSimplifiedExtensive

InspectionPeer-reviewed by fellow farmersThird-party certifiers

Chemicals/GMO useProhibitedProhibited

CNG growers must still grow without the use of herbicides, synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or synthetic fertilizers. The only major difference is that it’s more accessible for small farms due to lower costs and less bureaucracy.

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🧄 Why We Support Naturally Grown Garlic

Some of the best garlic in the country comes from small farms that live and breathe sustainable growing. These farmers often:

  • Live an organic lifestyle

  • Would never use harmful chemicals on their land or food

  • Grow garlic with love, care, and an emphasis on soil health and biodiversity

However, not all of these farms are USDA Certified Organic. The certification process is expensive and time-consuming, and for small operations, it's often not feasible.

That’s why we are committed to becoming a Certified Naturally Grown farm—and why we proudly support growers who are already certified. Their garlic is grown with just as much care—and often even more—than what you'd find in large certified operations.

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🔎 How to Know What You’re Getting

We’re committed to transparency. That’s why:

  • All garlic labeled as Certified Organic will carry the USDA Organic logo, which we are not certified for at this time.

  • All garlic labeled as Naturally Grown meets or exceeds organic standards but is not USDA certified

  • Our garlic is grown in line with CNG principles and will be officially certified soon

If you are someone who only purchases USDA Certified Organic produce, we can not sell garlic labeled as Organic. But if you're open to high-quality garlic from small, sustainability-focused growers, our Naturally Grown garlic is an exceptional choice.

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🌍 Supporting a Sustainable Garlic Future

In high-demand years, Certified Organic garlic can be in short supply. By choosing Naturally Grown garlic, you help ensure that certified farms can meet their seed requirements and continue producing organic crops long-term.

Whether you choose Certified Organic or Certified Naturally Grown garlic, you're supporting:

  • Sustainable agriculture

  • Non-GMO seed integrity

  • Healthier soil and ecosystems

  • Local and regional food networks

For questions about our growing standards, sourcing, or garlic varieties, feel free to contact us or visit our farm.

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Grow bold. Grow Shipwrecked.

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