Locating organic kosher meats may be a bit trickier than one imagines. Vendors of organic meats can be found all over the Internet as well as at brick-and-mortar health food stores and organic grocers such as Whole Foods Market. The same goes for kosher meats. But to find organic kosher meats takes some dedicated searching.

Some people confuse the two or think both terms hold identical meanings. Organic meats come from animals that receive no antibiotics or growth hormones and have been fed organically grown feed. The U.S. government must approve meat sold as “organic,” and certifies it with a United States Department of Agriculture seal. Organic kosher meats must meet this qualification – plus the standards set forth by the Jewish laws for kosher products.

Processed in facilities complying with strict dietary and sanitary rules, only certain meats can be labeled kosher: cattle, sheep, chicken, turkey, and fish that have scales. Humane treatment of the animals also figures highly in Jewish kosher standards. The prohibition of blood must be handled, which kosher meat processors do by salting and soaking the meat, rather than hanging it as non-kosher meat packers do, and then shipping it immediately to ensure freshness. So when you purchase organic kosher meats, many believe you are getting the best raised and processed meat available.

One company that sells organic kosher meats – Wise Kosher Natural Poultry (www.wisekosher.com) – markets only chicken and turkey grown and slaughtered according to both strict USDA requirements as well as Jewish kosher standards. So far, the Brooklyn, New York company distributes its organic kosher meats to 16 states with growth expected to continue with the increasing demands of health-conscious consumers.

Another organic kosher meats purveyor, Aaron’s Gourmet Emporium (www.AaronsGourmet.com) sells chicken, turkey, duck, beef, and fish (wild salmon). Located in Rego Park, New York, this company sells not only organic kosher meats, but vegetables and other organic kosher products as well.

Finding suppliers of organic kosher meats may be a challenge, but it’s worth the hunt. And remember: Kosher and organic are not interchangeable terms. Nor do words like “natural,” “grass-fed,” or “hormone-free” mean organic, and these terms having nothing to do with kosher-processed meats. So keep up the search but be smart. Look for the USDA-certified and kosher-certified labels wherever you shop – and certainly before you buy.