The organization is internationally recognized model for building economically viable, community-based local foodsheds.

[4] The association of 66 organically certified farmers is known for sustainable agriculture and produces vegetables greens, fruit, cheese and meat.

Over the next eight years, as practitioners they developed a unique, place-based set of criteria as hallmarks of sustainable, local food production standards, and they worked with the Marin County Agricultural Commissioner's office to create a county-based, local standards for organic certification.

[6] They created a forum for sharing information and best practices among members and instituted protections for Marin's wildlife and habitat.

This peer-review set of standards surpasses the USDA regulations and ensures that Marin Organic operations are fitted to local conditions and need.

[11] Gleaned food is produce which would otherwise be left in the fields because it doesn't meet the strict aesthetic requirements of restaurants and retail markets.

Through the Marin Organic School Lunch and Gleaning program more than 100,000 pounds of fresh, local, organic potatoes, squash, kale, spinach, arugula, lettuce, leeks, cucumbers, beets, carrots, zucchini, lemons, yogurt, milk, ice cream, meat and eggs have been added to the lunches of Marin school children.

Through the program, Marin Organic offers certification to Marin producers, technical assistance to meet the strict guidelines if needed, and incentives in the form of a recognizable label which designates a product as grown with the health of local waterways and their residents in mind.