The federal government is taking the first steps toward regulating organic, or so-called natural, foods. The long-awaited rules, intended to end a patchwork of more than three dozen state and private sector organic certifying standards, will implement the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.

Farmers are reaping the benefits of technology, linking up with customers to sell their organic crops over the Internet.

Getting back to nature doesn't have to mean a trip to the country. Urban vegetable gardens are giving city dwellers a taste and tour of life on the farm.

People who grow fruits and vegetables without using pesticides are finding their basic business plan is one with strong growth potential, as the demand for organics rises exponentially.

Once natural food was the sole domain of small specialty markets. Today, retail sales of natural foods are the fastest-growing segment of the grocery industry, accounting for 10 percent of the more than $300 billion in annual sales.

A wave of mergers and upcoming IPO's are reshaping the way natural foods, defined by the industry as minimally processed and preservative-free, are brought to market