The Europeans perfected it, the hippies exploited it and the next generation thrives off of it. Cultures have been exploring the "au naturale" for ages, and the newest version comes in the form of food trends. Organic and local are the latest buzz words when it comes to food, but few people understand or take advantage of this growing culture.

For a food to be considered "organic" it must pass certain laws and regulations by the USDA — the National Organic Program in someone's backyard, in a sense. Some sellers consider anything from the Pacific Northwest "local," but most comes from much closer ranges.

The best place to find local and organic foods is in markets and fruit stands around the city. The biggest example of this community in Seattle is the Pike Place Market. Local farmers and sellers from all around the region sell their goods at Pike Place.

Jessica Hiatt, from Phi Catanzano's fruit stand in the market, explained that many people shy away from organic foods because of the price or other misunderstandings. Often, people expect organic foods to be low quality and expensive.

This is usually not the case, especially when shopping locally. Organic foods have more nutrients due to the way they are raised.

"If people don't know about organics and the benefits you receive from them, they're going to shun [organic foods]," Hiatt said.

If the price deters a shopper from buying organic, local is an almost equivalent alternative. Many local foods are often actually raised "naturally" (organically), but farmers can't afford to get certified, Hiatt said.

Beyond the health benefits, buying local promotes a sense of community. Hiatt explained that all too often these days people are spending too much time by themselves and in front of their TVs.

"Going back to local is bringing it back to the people and getting them interested in the community," Hiatt said.

Both local and organic foods also help contribute to a healthy environment. The problem with organics, though, is the opportunity for transportation, according to the article "The Produce Riddle," on treehugger.com. Because of the rising cost of organics, producers have more money to spend on travel and storage, which increases energy cost. In turn, shopping local has the most overall benefits to both people and the environment.

If shopping locally isn't plausible, looking for local foods in groceries is preferred. Organic foods can be pricier in stores and often still include many of the "unpronounceable" ingredients. Become aware of food labels and what is grown locally to maintain a balance between price and health benefits when sticking to the stores.

Steering away from stores and building community in the markets is the best way to be green when it comes to food.

"Organic in boxes just doesn't make sense," Hiatt said.