By when must organic growers register prior to selling food?

Organic growers must register prior to selling food in order to comply with the regulations set forth by the USDA’s National Organic Program. The requirement specifies that growers must be certified organic before they can sell any products labeled as organic. This means that registration should take place before the first sale of the food, ensuring that all products being marketed as organic meet the necessary standards and have been properly inspected and certified.

Registering at the time of the first harvest or starting at the beginning of the growing season does not align with the necessary regulatory compliance, as growers need certification before they can sell. Similarly, registering within 5 days of planting is not adequate because the certification process usually requires time for inspections and approval prior to bringing any harvest to market. Hence, registering before the first sale of food is the correct procedure, emphasizing the importance of meeting organic certification standards to consumers.