Namibia: Organic Food - a Luxury Or the Way of the Future?

ALTHOUGH it is widely believed that organic farming is environmentally friendly and its produce much healthier than if chemicals are used, some Namibians do not think it can satisfy the country's food needs.

Africa: Incompatible Standards May Keep Organics Out

The newly launched East Africa Organic Standard, designed to boost exports to Europe, could fall at the first hurdle if the largest licensing body in the UK decides in November that air-freighted produce no longer qualifies as organic.

Uganda’s organic food exporters worried as UK ban threat looms

ORGANIC farmers in Uganda and other developing countries, face a threat of their products being banned should the UK Soil Association decide to put a freeze on organic air freighted exports to the country.

What defines organic? Organic food sales have been continuously growing in the U.S.

For more and more people, “going organic” is becoming a way of life. Not only are people finding organic produce, meat, dairy and packaged foods, but pet food, clothing and cleaning supplies as well.

Starbucks calls its coffee worker-friendly _ but in Ethiopia, a day's pay is a dollar

Tucked inside a fancy black box, the $26-a-pound Starbucks Black Apron Exclusives coffee promised to be more than just another bag of beans.

Not only was the premium coffee from a remote plantation in Ethiopia "rare, exotic, cherished," according to Starbucks advertising, it was grown in ways that were good for the environment - and for local people, too.

'More efforts to promote Organic agriculture needed'

An international seminar on markets and marketing of organic products has stressed the need for more efforts from Central and state governments for the promotion of Organic agriculture.

Describing Organic farming as an "excellent tool" for enhancing the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers who are resource poor and pursue agriculture in marginal lands, Gerald A Herrmann, Director of Organic Services, GMBH, Germany, said this was the most sustainable alternative to overcome poverty and bring about sustainable rural development.

Organic farming taking roots in Kerala

Growing awareness about organic farming is leading farmers in good numbers in Kerala to adopt to the new way, with the produce commanding a premium in the domestic and export markets.

Fair-trade coffee price unchanged after 10 years

Coffee drinkers who prefer a shot of social justice with their morning java might be surprised to learn that the minimum price paid to fair trade coffee-growers hasn't changed in 10 years.

Africa: Organic Food Exporters Risk Loss in British Markets

The International Trade Centre is taking a strong stand against a proposed ban on airfreighting organic fruits and vegetables from developing countries to Britain.

Britain: Organic Sales hit ₤ 2 billion mark

On the occasion of the Organic Fortnight 2007, the Soil Association’s annual Organic Market Report was published. It showed that organic food and drink sales in the UK hit the £ 2 billion mark (€ 3 billion) for the first time in 2006, equalling a market growth rate of 22 % during that year. The retail market for organic products has grown by an average of 27 % a year during the last decade.

Special from Save the Bacon

For organic meat in the UK - The new outbreak of foot & mouth disease has let to restrictions on animal movements. At this time, Save the Bacon has a limited amount of Chateaubriand available on offer at 20% discount on a first come basis. They also have fresh game and a series of specials, but encourage you to order early to ensure supply.

Grouse
Partridge
Wild Duck
Rabbit
Pigeon
Venison
Guinea Fowl


They have the following special offers on free range turkey and chickens:

Whole Free Range Chickens 21% off
Free range chicken leg quarters 30% off
Free range chicken mince 20% off
Turkey mince turkey diced 30% off
Turkey Mince 30% off

Green Grapes Grow On Oregon

Simply put, growing good grapes requires planting the right vines in the right soil in the right climate and letting nature do its work.

Of course, it's never that simple. Growers are at the mercy of weather, soil conditions and pests in a never-ending quest to control a patch of ground that can produce fruit that will make good wine.

Put your cash where your principles are

Sales of organic products are soaring, and so is the performance of some of the "green" funds that invest people's money in these businesses. Organic food and drink sales in the UK nudged the £2bn mark for the first time in 2006, and more than half of us have bought organic fruit and vegetables within the past 12 months, according to a new report from the Soil Association.

Today's Specials and Recommendations

Those of you in the UK - did you know that September is Organic Harvest Month? Even better, the two weeks from 1 September to 16 September is the Soil Association Organic Fortnight. What better time to stock up on organic goodies!

Coffee drinkers: The latest from CoffeeAM is a 1/2 pound sample of its Chocolate Strawberry coffee, complimentary with an $15 purchase. It's not organic, but CoffeeAM has a number of good coffees that are.

More for coffee drinkers: Mother Earth is offering free shipping with the purchase of any three bags of their Conscientious Coffee. That's good through September.

Coffee for Less is another good source right now. Coffee for home, coffee for the office, tea, stuff that goes with it - they're showing quite a nice organic selection. Use coupon code CFL to get 5% off too.

Lake Champlain Chocolates has organic, fair trade hot chocolate as well.

Meat eaters: Save the Bacon in the UK has all kinds of specials running - more than I can comfortably put in this newsletter! They often run one-day specials, so if you're interested, I'd recommend subscribing to their email list.

Are you in San Francisco or New York City? Ideal Bite is starting local versions of its eco-tips newsletter later this month. Subscribe to their regular email tips and you'll be able to get local tips as well starting September 24 (San Fran) or September 25 (NYC.) Even for those of us who don't live in those local areas, the free newsletter is worth a look.

Found some great deals on kitchen items too. Wine Enthusiast is clearing out a lot of inventory and is highlighting its Vintage Chart Appetizer Plates - a $29.95 value now at just $5.00 Sur la Table is hitting the sales pretty hard too.

CyberCucina is always worth a look - organic olive oils, spices, all kinds of goodies.

If these don't pique your interest, I know something else will:
Organic wine
Organic coffee
Organic produce
Organic meat
Organic chocolate