More Kenyan farmers attracted by organic coffee premiums

Organic farming is gaining popularity in Central Kenya following reports that coffee beans produced through the method fetch premium prices in the market.

Denmark leading in organic race

Organic produce in the super markets is in great demand in Denmark. The chains are successful in selling organic food and the consumers are crowding.

Denmark is in front with regards to the organic share of the sales in the super markets in Europe. Only Switzerland is ahead of Denmark, writes Berlingske Business.

Organic Coffee Sales Getting Steamy

U.S. retail sales of organic coffee rose 24% in 2006, according to new data released by the Organic Trade Association.

“The dramatic increase in organic coffee sales mirrors the continuing growth in the overall organic sector and reflects consumers’ increasing awareness of these products, their high quality, and the availability of these beverages in venues ranging from small coffee shops to ‘Big Box’ stores,” said Caren Wilcox, OTA’s Executive Director.

The holiday specials are starting!

For those of you who are heading into springtime and gardening season, don't forget your own organic fruits and veggies! For some help, check out the ebook "Companion Planting," which will show you what to plant together so that your produce is healthier and stronger. You get a string of bonuses with it too.

While you're at it, don't miss "The Ultimate Organic Lifestyle," lessons for all of us on living more organically without breaking the bank. It includes a free ecourse on keeping your pet organic too.

As always, see Ideal Bite for quick and freebie email tips.

US wine drinkers: Two offers from wine.com:
Get 10% off any gift basket at Wine.com. Enter coupon code LSOCT10 at checkout. Offer ends October 31, 2007

Get 5% off orders of $100 or more at Wine.com. Enter coupon code LSOCT5 at checkout. Offer ends October 31, 2007

I just checked and found 93 wines listed under the keyword "organic"- you don't often see a selection that good.

UK meat eaters: Save the Bacon has all kinds of pre-holiday specials. I've listed them on the blog rather than pasting them all here.

CyberCucina is always worth a look - organic olive oils, spices, all kinds of goodies (not all organic, but they have a good selection that is.) They're currently featuring olives.

What used to be Almond Plaza and Mission Orchards are now The Orchards at Hickory Farms. With holidays coming up, were you planning on nice fruit, nuts and gift baskets for important clients or other nice people? Between now and the end of the month, get 15% off your entire purchase.

Non-food items: Wine Enthusiast is offering free shipping on a number of items, including wine refrigerators and Riedel glassware. Sur la Table is also in a free-shipping mode on selected items.

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

Big specials for UK meat eaters

Here are the current specials from Save the Bacon:

For the week of 8 October:
Oven Ready Goose
***SPECIAL OFFER FOR THIS WEEK*** £2/kg off normal price - Book this now and take delivery in early December.


Three Bird Roast Special
***SPECIAL OFFER FOR THIS WEEK*** £8/kg OFF NORMAL PRICE - a goose stuffed with a chicken, stuffed with a pheasant and the whole thing layered up with spiced pork and orange - Book this now and take delivery in early December.

Organic farming should be food for thought

Did you know that Saskatchewan has a legislative secretary on organics? He's Lon Borgerson, the regional and co-operative development minister. Borgerson has prepared an extensive and glowing report on organic agriculture that has been presented to Premier Lorne Calvert.

Organic, and Tastier: The Rat’s Nose Knows

IN any controversy it can be helpful to consider the views of disinterested parties. So, on the subject of agricultural policy and practice, it’s worth noting that an unimpeachably neutral group has joined the ranks of those who prefer organic foods over foods produced with the help of synthetic chemicals. That group is 40 Swiss rats.

News Update: Now, it's Meat

Here in the U.S. we're looking at another E.coli scare - this time with tainted hamburger meat. Topp Meat has issued a recall of 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products.

A new article in The Green Guide talks about making safe meat choices, and guess what? Organic meat is at the top of their list. Read the article here.

For good sources for organic meat in your part of the world, visit our meat section or our amazon.com storefront.

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.