Target (NYSE: TGT) has a small thorn in its side due to a store brand it carries on its grocery shelves. Aurora Organic Dairy, which has been under fire this year for labeling milk products as "organic" when the cows providing that milk were treated in a commercial fashion. It supplies Target with its product under the 'Archer Farms' brand. Archer Farms, probably the most well-marketed store brand out of any major food retailer, is targeted to the upscale grocery shopper, which is smack dab in the middle of Target's intended demographic.

The Archer Farms packages are well made, look great and generally offer more interesting options than most other store brands like Wal-Mart's (NYSE: WMT) "Great Value" store brand. In this case, Target's Archer Farms organic milk is under the microscope since Aurora Organic is the supplier of that product to Target. The USDA has even said it will cancel the 'organic' status of Aurora unless the company stops representing non-organic product as organic -- something it has apparently been doing since 2003. This, in turn, would cause the Archer Farms milk product to be affected.

But, Target is not sitting still -- along with Aurora, the retailer is insisting that its Archer Farms organic milk is definitely organic, and that it should keep that certification. Aurora has already agreed to place its operations under 'organic probation' for one year among other changes.

Without giving any details, a spokeswoman from Target did say that Target "is confident that our Archer Farms Organic Milk is organic."

Well, let's see here: if Aurora agreed to changes in its operations without admitting guilt, just how should its milk be marketed? Which grocery companies does Aurora supply that could be mislabeling products? Target -- your customers are generally well-informed. Don't screw this one up.

On Wednesday, Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF), the country's largest processor and distributor of milk and soy products, accepted the resignation of Alan Bernon, the president of the company's Dairy Group, in what may be the beginning of a large-scale reorganization to stave off further losses as the company moves into its 3Q earnings period. Dean Foods is losing its own milk money. The company is facing bottom-line difficulty, some if it self-caused. Earlier in the year, Dean Foods reported that net income, earnings from continuing operations and diluted EPS were all on the increase. Unfortunately, so were prices for raw milk, a significant expense for the company. Supply of organic milk far exceeded demand for the product, driving down prices. For reasons that remain unclear, at the end of 1Q 2007, Dean Foods recapitalized its balance sheet and increased its debt load to $5.3 billion. Senior management then paid out more than $1.9 billion, $15 per share, for a one-time dividend. This drove the stock up to $37.48. Immediately thereafter, the company began having finance problems that have continued into the second quarter.

Dean Foods posted 2Q earnings well off last year's numbers. Diluted EPS was $0.30, way down from one year ago EPS of $0.55. Adjusted net income dropped by almost half to $41.6 million. At the same time, interest expense doubled to $88.9 million for the quarter. Sales continue to increase while operating income continues to decline. Capital expenditures were down by $10 million. Unfortunately cash flow was down by almost 10X that amount, $95 million.

Though it's not easy for consumers to be green, MSN Money's Abby Schutlz points out that it's possible to be environmentally sensitive and fiscally prudent.

Since buying organic food is expensive -- organic milk is about double the price of the conventional variety and produce can be 200% higher -- Schultz points out that people need to make an organic budget for their environmentally friendly purchases. This can be as simple as buying organic products when they are on sale to the price disparity isn't as great or purchasing produce such as cherries, grapes and peaches that retain less pesticide residue then their conventional counterparts.

I was particularly interested in the piece because I would like to be more environmentally conscious but, like many Americans, I'm not sure about how much I am willing to sacrifice economically to do that.

While hybrid cars are still quite expensive and will likely stay that way for awhile, Schultz advises readers that simply driving less is great for the environment too. And with our country in the midst of an obesity epidemic, walking or biking makes sense for a lot of reasons.

Similarly, simply cutting back on energy use probably does more good for the environment than expensive all-natural products.

So while being green-friendly might seem more expensive, many aspects of conservation will actually save money: Buying products in bulk with less packaging is cheaper, and so is using the library instead of the bookstore.

Does anyone have any tips for being environmentally conscious on a budget? I've talked to some friends, and one of the main reasons people don't make more of an effort to go green is the cost.

Organics are in the news. Over the weekend, consumers were paying attention to whether major organic milk producers are really honoring the spirit of organic foods, and last week, media outlets were buzzing about how just about every mainstream grocery store is launching its own organic foods line, from Safeway to SuperValu. Organics are getting cheaper, and the move by huge retailers to expand organic offerings may mean that the demand for pesticide-free goods will change the way farmers in the U.S., and elsewhere, operate.

Nowhere is the presence of organic products more incongruous than on Wal-Mart shelves. Wal-Mart is doubling the amount of organic produce in its grocery shelves for its shoppers "convenience" (and, one would imagine, to allow the retailer the ability to charge more -- and pocket higher margins as a result). The chain is also offering organic cotton clothing and organic baby formula. And while a few customers are surely happy, it seems, the larger response is... oh, no.

I feel your pain, oh ye people who are committed to organics. And I have to ask: is Wal-Mart, by trying to do good, actually doing bad?