Shopping lists 'get more ethical'

Shoppers take it all for granted - fresh produce available all the year round regardless of whether it is in season in the UK.

But does it make any sense?

S.J. farmers find organic certification a challenge

A farmer in the back row rested his eyes as his classmates turned to Page G6.1 of an organic farming "system plan."

Two hours into this lecture in a quiet east Stockton conference room, the teacher - a farmer himself - offered reassurance:

Spread the cheer back to the farm yard this Christmas

Christmas is a time to feast, and in a meat loving nation, the festive spread is almost guaranteed to include a bountiful array of ham, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb and eggs.

But before you launch into your Christmas shopping consider the far-reaching effects of your supermarket choices, says Biological Farmers Australia.

Govt to make Andhra Pradesh organic coffee hub

Government has earmarked Rs 76 crore to promote cultivation and export of organic coffee in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at providing livelihood security in naxal-infested areas of the state.

Consumers Seeking the Green

Despite economic challenges, many consumers of natural products are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, according to a MamboTrack study by Mambo Sprouts Marketing. In the survey of 1,000 natural products consumers, seven out of 10 said they’d be willing to pay up to 20-percent more for “green” products and services. While price remains the overwhelming factor (60 percent) in deciding where to shop, 56 percent said a selection of healthy organic products and 49 percent cited availability of organic produce as key factors.

Whole Foods recalls chocolate bars over undeclared nuts

A large natural foods grocer is recalling milk chocolate bars distributed and sold in Colorado over the possibility that the bars contain nuts which are not listed in the ingredients.

The Colorado Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that Whole Foods Market is recalling the brand name 365 Organic Everyday Value Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps, 3-ounce size, with a "best if used by date" of 11/21/07. The date can be found on the back of the wrapper.

Antibiotic-Resistant E. Coli Rises in Chickens

Potentially harmful E. coli bacteria has developed such staunch resistance to human antibiotics in chicken processing facilities that workers may unwittingly spread harmful bacteria in their communities, according to a new Johns Hopkins University study detailed in Newsday.

Quick guide: Sustainable food

The Earth's increasing population means more pressure on finite resources. It is estimated that if all six billion people on Earth lived a European lifestyle, we would need more than two-and-a-half planets' worth of resources to support us.

Organic Food Industry Is Duping Consumers on Health, Environment Issues

Organic foods are quite in vogue--they constitute the fastest-growing segment of the food industry. Food markets from Whole Foods to Wal-Mart are trying to capture part of this burgeoning market.

The reason for this is that the public thinks organic foods are more nutritious, less toxic, and better for the environment than conventionally produced foods. Alex Avery's new book will convince you that these claims are all false.

Poabs’ call to back its ‘organic farming movement’

Poabs Group director Thomas Jacob said has called upon ecologists and environmental groups to support the group’s “organic farming movement” and added that he was ready to put his estates “to the most stringent tests”.

When Organic Foods Are Worth Your Money

You do not have to shop at specialty stores any longer for a wide variety of organic foods. Mainstream supermarkets carry a much bigger selection than just apples and oranges. You can buy almost any food as an organic product, but doing so means you'll likely pay more.

Organic consideration

The Nov. 14 column "Is organic food healthier?" suggested that organic food is not worth the additional cost, focusing on the alleged lack of evidence regarding related health effects. Organic foods have only recently become widely available at most grocery stores, so it's true there have not been many specific studies on organic versus conventional food healthfulness. However, there is recent data supporting the idea that organics are healthier. Early results of an EU-funded study indicate organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants and higher levels of some beneficial minerals than their non-organic counterparts. Another study found a two-fold increase in antioxidants in organic tomatoes compared to conventionally grown tomatoes. Antioxidants, of course, are believed to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer in many studies.

Soil Association: Public unaware that most milk, dairy products and pork from GM

Nearly all the milk, dairy products and pork in UK supermarkets are being produced from animals fed on GM crops, and none of this is labelled, according to a Soil Association investigation. Tests of animal feed and a survey of company policies have revealed that all the supermarkets are widely allowing the use of GM feed. The report found that around 60% of the maize and 30% of the soya fed to dairy cattle and pigs is GM. [1] Most consumers are unwittingly eating food produced from GM crops everyday.

Organic air ban raises fears for flavours

The proposed restrictions on air freighting of organic produce into the UK could have implications for the flavour industry, as some valuable raw materials are grown far way and would not survive lengthy sea freighting times.

Organic industry well beyond the rind

Findings from a report by the World Cancer Research fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research of a "convincing link between processed meats and colorectal cancer" is good news for the Australian organic meat processors. The report states there is solid proof that high levels of processed meat containing nitrite and other preservatives increase the risk of cancer in the colon and rectum; two key organs of the digestive system. Nitrites are barred from use in the processing of organic meat.

Organic chocolate off market after cancer substance found

A German organic-foods company has withdrawn its "fair trade" chocolate from the market after testers found in it high levels of a substance that causes cancer. The Rapunzel company recalled all blocks of Bio Negro bittersweet chocolate after the revelation that they contained benzopyrene, a dangerous substance also found in diesel smoke and burned toast.

Tukulu's first organic wines

Tukulu, a member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, has launched its first organic wines, a 2007 Chardonnay and a 2006 Sangiovese, both made from organically certified dryland vines on the Papkuilsfontein farm in Darling and vinified under organic conditions.

To be accredited by the Swiss-based international body, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), the vines had to be farmed organically for at least three years. The Chardonnay was planted in 1998 and the Sangiovese, a year later. Both have been farmed organically since 2001 and deliver low yields.

I'm organic, buy me

Increasing awareness on the benefits of wholesome, naturally produced foods has seen Malaysians switch from conventionally grown produce to organic ones. But with all varieties of "organic" food flooding the retail shelves, how can consumers identify the genuine product?

Look past 'organic' label for eco-friendly alcohol

Austin is known for being an earth-friendly city, so logically, people prefer food that's either organic or grown locally. Organic fruits, veggies and meats are all available in Texas, but what about alcohol? A few Texas beers and wines are made with the environment in mind, but Austinites will have to look past the label.

Any beer or wine that bears the "USDA Organic" seal meets the requirement that 95 percent of its ingredients are produced organically, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Amherst 'fair-trade' cause reverberates worldwide

Now that Yuri Friman has convinced Amherst Town Meeting to support his fair trade campaign, he plans to bring a Peruvian coffee-bean farmer to town, urge supermarkets to diversify their offerings and promote fair trade Hanukkah chocolates.

Organic labeling confuses farmers

There's a tectonic shift under way in organic agriculture. An organic label was once a way for smaller farms to find a market niche with produce free of synthetic chemicals.

But as the demand for organic produce and other products has grown, large farms have started muscling in, sparking intense competition for space in farmers markets, health food stores and chain supermarkets.

Organic's good, but will it feed everyone?

The battle has been raging back and forth ever since synthetic pesticides and fertilizers were introduced into agriculture. Is organic produce safer and more nutritious than the conventional variety?

Organic wines: behind the label

In an ideal world, buds would sprout from grapevines in the spring and turn into fragrant flowers after a few weeks. Grapes would follow the flowers and ripen to perfection throughout the summer months.

In the fall, the vintner who had been sitting back watching the vineyard develop would pick perfectly ripe, succulent grapes, ferment them into wine and bottle a pure, delicious product.

Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world.

Does the consumer really know best?

Yesterday's decision by the Soil Association to continue certifying organic produce flown in from abroad is a fillip for those who believe in consumer power. As a result of the ruling, after lengthy public consultation, consumers can still decide for themselves whether they wish to support organic farmers in developing countries who rely on air freighting their produce to the UK, or whether they prefer to boycott such produce due to environmental concerns about using planes to transport food. If the Soil Association had decided that it should withdraw certification from air-freighted food, then that choice would have been denied the consumer.

Sweet injustice

By the time that last batch of holiday fudge is wrapped and shipped to friends and family, Americans will have spent upwards of $15 billion on chocolate this year. Recent reports citing the benefits of dark chocolate on blood pressure have provided justification for our indulgence, but there is a bitter exchange for our pleasure: hundreds of thousands of children kidnapped, beaten and enslaved by cocoa farmers with dollar signs in their eyes.

Kenyan organic farmers 'relieved'

A lobby group for Kenya's organic farmers, Rodi, has welcomed a decision by the UK's Soil Association not to ban organic produce imported by air.

African farmers risked losing $66million (£32.6 million) in annual retail sales if the ban was imposed.

Organic milk, cheese and yoghurt 'protects children against asthma'

Organic milk, cheese and yoghurt may protect young children against eczema and asthma, researchers say.

They found that infants raised on organic dairy products are a third less likely to suffer from allergies in the first two years of life than those fed conventional food.

Organic produce 'better for you'

Organic produce is better for you than ordinary food, a major European Union-funded study says.

The £12m four-year project, led by Newcastle University, found a general trend showing organic food contained more antioxidants and less fatty acids.

But researchers did admit the study showed some variations.

Europe grows more (and more) GM crops

Just days after the European Commission gave its stamp of approval to four new GM plants, a report has revealed that the area of Europe's arable land devoted to genetically modified crops has risen by 77 per cent in the last year. The total area of GM cultivation is now 1,000 square kilometres*.

EU research finds organic food healthier and better

A European project has found that some organic foods, such as fruit, vegetables and milk, could be more nutritious than non-organically produce and contain higher concentrations of antioxidants, believed to cut the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Study could give organics a boost

Is organically grown food scientifically better for nutrition than conventionally grown produce?

Long has this question been vehemently debated with theory.

Thanks to a $25 million, four-year study going on in the United Kingdom, we may have some concrete answers soon.

Organic food ‘equivalent to having an extra portion of fruit and veg a day’

ORGANIC food is more nutritious and can even help fight cancer, according to new research out this week.

Scientists leading the £12million project have called on the Government to accept the evidence and encourage consumers to eat organic produce.

Organic food for the world

A small village community in Matale produces tea packs made out of reed under a regular Rs 2 million monthly contract -- in a-too-good-to-be-true story -- thanks to the efforts of Bio Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

The Kandy-based company founded by former Tea Research Institute (TRI) Scientist Dr Sarath Ranaweera is Sri Lanka’s biggest organic food producer and amongst the best in the world with turnover this year likely to reach 5 million Euros (Rs 800 million).

Organic Agriculture 'Towards Organic India'

The First National Conference on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for Organic Agriculture is being held at Indian Social Institute in New Delhi between 3rd and 4th October'07, with an aim to exchange knowledge on the experiences in implementation of PGS, to define the role of civil society, government, and key stakeholders in promoting PGS at a wider scale with the involvement of small farmers and to facilitate local markets for the organic produce of the small and marginal farmers.

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.

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

Organic or conventional food? Choice hinges on your goals

Just in time for the celebration of September as Organic Harvest Month, a report by the British Nutrition Foundation catapults back into the spotlight the debate over whether organic foods are more nutritious than their conventional counterparts.

Growers label their crops organic ... sort of

A major fruit company has decided to convert 100 percent of its stone fruit trees to organic farming practices, part of the ongoing push to meet consumers' insatiable demand for healthier food.

But Stemilt Growers Inc., a bit player in the stone fruit industry but one of the nation's leading apple suppliers, isn't waiting two years to capitalize on the switch. The company has created a new label — Artisan Naturals — to sell its naturally-farmed fruit, an effort to get a higher price for the fruit even if it can't yet come with an "organic" sticker.

Organic a serious commercial option for NZ food industry

New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity Fisheries and Forestry Jim Anderton, gave full backing to the organic food sector at Organics Aotearoa New Zealand's national conference.

Future bright for organic farming

Sunday's Advertiser report on Certified Organic Operations verifies the slow but steady increase in organic farming in Louisiana. It also emphasizes the ongoing debate over whether organic food - produced in operations that avoid or largely exclude the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators and livestock feed additives - is actually healthier.

Change Your Entire Dietary Lifestyle with Organic Meats

Not everyone knows about the fact that you can get not only organic produce but also organic meats. This enables you to change your entire dietary lifestyle if you so wish, without having to compromise on such things as organic meats and organic dairy products, substituting the non-organic stuff instead.

Court finds egg packer substituted organic with conventional eggs

An egg packer and supplier has been found to have substituted and sold non-organically produced eggs as organic eggs over a two year period.

Fairtrade: Is It As Fair As It Sounds?

The term "Fairtrade" has been gaining steady acknowledgment since the 1940s - and justifiably so. After all, when consumers pay just a little more for products like organic coffee, bananas, chocolate and even clothes, farmers are guaranteed a fair price for their goods and labour. So, the fact that over 2,500 product lines in the UK now carry the Fairtrade mark - not to mention that Britain spent over £290 million on fair trade coffee, food, furniture and clothing last year (an increase of 46% on the previous year) - should seem like a good thing, right?

What it means to be organic

Organic isn’t just something we eat. It’s something we live. Organic means that you care enough about your health and the health of those around you, including insects, animals, plants, the earth, the air and water, to change the way you live in order to protect them. I suggest that Acton is in a position to be a model for how a small piece of the universe can wake up and make a difference in the health and well-being of its residents by more conscious consumption and disposal. Here are some examples.

Organic Farming: Growing Green

From Oregon-grown apples to snake fruit from Indo-nesia, supermarket shelves in the UAE overflow with fruits and vegetables from all over the world.

But do you really know what is in, or on, the food you eat?
With numerous pesticide-related horror stories popping up everywhere, it’s no wonder more farmers are switching to organic methods of farming, and consumers are noticing the difference.

Eco-friendly wines

Many consumers are seeking an organic alternative to conventional wines.

As a result, more and more wineries are discovering added benefits of catering to public demand for organic. Biodynamic growing methods produce healthier vines and, in some cases, the wines are less costly to make. And there’s more: the wines can be more flavourful and more distinctive to the specific region and vineyard.

(want to know where to find these eco-friendly wines? There are lots of places listed in the wine section.)

Organic tomatoes are healthier: US study

A United States study comparing organically-grown tomatoes with conventionally-grown tomatoes has found significant health benefits in the organic produce.

Peruvian coffee eyes international market

Peruvian coffee is seeking its place in the international market with a seal of quality backed by 10 years of sustained production.

Not a traditional part of the diet in this Andean nation, Peruvian coffee is grown in the tropical forest region, at altitudes of between 800 metres and 2,000 metres on the eastern slopes of the Andes, the Spanish news agency EFE said.

More Del. farmers putting their eggs in organic basket

A hen with a crooked beak and one good eye roams Carolyn Donald's front yard in Georgetown, foraging for stray bugs, grass and grain.

Donald, an artist turned organic farmer, has set aside her front yard as a respite for stressed hens such as 8-month-old Giggles, who got pecked too often by other hens. A few other hens who are molting hang out in the yard regaining strength before resuming egg production.

Save a few bucks on organic produce

Save $20 off $100+ order, $30 off $150+ order, and $50 off $200+ order. Expires September 1, 2007. Promotion Code 845608.

And...

Save up to 33% on Premium Pfaelzer Brothers Steaks and Gourmet Foods.

Organic Olympic vegetables growing in importance

Most of the organic vegetables to be delivered to the athletes' village and press center during the Beijing Olympic Games and ensuing Paralympics will be grown in the village of Donglongwan, about 100 kilometers northwest of Beijing.

Organic growers feel left out of green campaign

It's hard for many of us living in this clean green South Pacific paradise to fully comprehend. But in the industrialised nations of the northern hemisphere a consumer revolution is taking place – for an increasing number of those city dwellers the green values of the food they eat is more important than price.

Rethinking Organics

Few things make you feel better about your health than eating organic fruits and veggies. A diet high in produce is commendable enough, but organic produce? That's a double dose of virtue. What's less clear is how much good that virtue does you. Are there real benefits to going organic? If so, are some organic fruits and vegetables better than others? And how do you choose?

If you shop at Whole Foods...

If you have bought organic chocolate from Whole Foods Market, this message is for you. Whole Foods has issued a recall of their 365 Organic Everyday Value(TM) Swiss Dark Chocolate Bars because they may contain undeclared almonds. If you're sensitive to nuts, this could be very serious.

Read all about it here.

Deciphering markets' new eco-friendly labels

Efforts to go green are becoming more and more widespread, and one place that's evident is on supermarket and department store shelves. Nowadays, labels on foods and other household products often display seals and certifications vouching for their eco-friendliness, but what do those emblems mean and which ones can you trust?

Global Fairtrade sales increase by 40% benefiting 1.4 million farmers worldwide

Consumers worldwide spent 1,6 billion Euros on Fairtrade Certified Products in 2006, according to Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). This is a 41% increase on the previous year, directly benefiting over 1,4 million producers and workers worldwide.

Organic meat and dairy linked to better quality breast milk

The breast milk of mothers consuming organic meat and dairy contains higher levels of beneficial fatty acids, and has an overall improved quality, suggests new research.

The new study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, reports that obtaining at least 90 per cent of dairy and meat products from organic sources increases levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Is organic better and can it feed us?

Due to consumer demand, organic agriculture is now growing faster than any other sector. It is finally starting to be taken seriously by researchers who are doing studies comparing yields and nutritional analysis of foods grown with modern synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and those grown organically.

Organic, With Pesticides (Extended)

The word "wholesome" doesn't exactly spring to mind when describing Chinese exports these days. But for years now, Chinese farmers have fed soaring global demand for organic foods. China's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2005 (the most recent data available)—up from $150 million the previous year—according to China's largest organic food certification agency.

A growing movement toward green food

Green. Green. Green. It’s the color of the year, maybe even of the century. And rest assured we are not talking about painting your walls or buying a new T-shirt or pair of shoes.

Buying imported food may actually be more energy-efficient

FOR the conscientious, food shopping now poses yet another ethical dilemma: is it really better to buy locally rather than shipping meat, fruit and vegetables around the globe?

A conference of experts yesterday heard that importing food from the other side of the world can actually be more energy-efficient than buying British produce and helps developing countries tackle poverty.

China Quietly Muscles In on the Organic Food Market

Consumers turning to organic food in the wake of warnings about antifreeze-laden toothpaste, poisoned pet food, and antibiotic-laced fish may be in for a surprise. The same country blamed for those scares, China, is quietly muscling in on the organic market.

Vintages that won't cost the earth

Wine can be a tricky subject. The number of wine-producing regions in the world is growing by the year (keep an eye out for Brazil and China, by the way) and the proliferation of the latest flavour-of-the-month grape varieties and blends that they send out into the world is bewildering.

Children's meals from Save the Bacon

After much hard work and having built great business partnerships, Save the Bacon in the UK is offering Juniorganic children’s organic ready meals.

Each dish provides a complete meal and contains sufficient vegetables to count towards the “5 a day” recommended by experts. All meals are suitable for children from one year upwards. Meat is cooked from fresh, sourced from selected British farms and fish is fresh Scottish Salmon. Vegetables are British and purchased locally where possible.

Our meals are blast frozen for increased shelf life – up to 12 months. Meals are simple to prepare in a microwave or conventional oven.

Efforts to curb climate change may hurt African farms

A bid to slow global warming by reducing the tonnes of food air freighted around the world ran up on Tuesday against the worries of poor African growers who fear it will hurt their business.

Organic farming is historically more common than it is now

It is an argument that has been used by large food corporations for so long now that most people come to regard it as fact. The corporations say: Organic farming is great and all, but it just can’t feed the world and its growing population.

Yet recent studies from the University of Michigan and Iowa State University show that organic farming can produce a yield as high of, if not higher for certain crops, as conventional farming. It is time that we see that organic can feed the world, and that it is not a type of food only for the wealthy.

Buy Organic Without Breaking the Bank

ORGANIC FOODS MAY be healthier for you, but they can have a sickening effect on your wallet.

Produced without pesticides and other chemicals, organic produce, meat and dairy products can cost 50% to 100% more than their conventional counterparts, says Urvashi Rangan, a senior scientist and policy analyst with Consumer Reports' Greener Choices. Despite those mark-ups, studies touting the health and environmental benefits of organic foods have made them more popular than ever before. More than 70% of consumers have at least one organic product on their shopping list, according to market research firm Hartman Group.

There is no demand for ecologically safe produce in Lviv region

Only 2-3 farms in Lviv region grow ecologically safe produce. The situation is a little bit better throughout Ukraine - around one hundred farms grow plants without the application of toxic chemicals. But still, even chemical-free fruits and vegetables do not possess an international quality certificate now. This information was discussed on July 13th during the press-conference "Realities and perspectives of ecologically safe produce growing in Lviv region" held in Lviv Reform Press-Club.

GM push vilifies organics

Recent attacks on the organic food industry are about discrediting it to soften up the public to accept genetically modified (GM) crops, Dr Maggie Lilith of the Conservation Council of WA and the Say No to GMO campaign told Green Left Weekly.

Cocktails get a 'health' makeover

On Monday around 9 p.m., three young Brooklynites stopped into Counter, a vegetarian restaurant in the East Village. Laughing and chatting, they sampled organic raspberries, poached pears, fresh pineapple and strawberries.

That this bounty was found not tableside but at the bar, where the restaurant's menu of organic cocktails has been steadily expanding, only heightened the appeal.

Public backs call for better labels

DEMAND for locally grown produce is on the rise as customers want to know more about where their food comes.

Farmers and traders at the show were questioned closely by visitors to the North's premier agricultural event in Harrogate as hundreds signed petitions backing Yorkshire Post campaigns calling for better labelling of British food and protection for Wensleydale cheese.

Demand grows for organic wine

Have you ever had an organic wine?

Chances are you've had a bottle or two and didn't even know it because they don't always put the word "organic" on the label, but that's starting to change.

Organic Products Worth Price Tag?

In an age in which Americans are becoming more environmentally aware than ever, organic products are everywhere. Consumers can purchase not only organic foods but also organic mattresses and cosmetics. It seems that everything available in grocery stores has its own organic counterpart. But it begs the question: What makes organic "organic"?

Chocolate is latest U.S. organic heavy-hitter

Organic chocolate sales are booming as more U.S. consumers seeking untreated natural ingredients are choosing the sweet treat to satisfy their cravings, and mainstream companies are entering what was once considered a high-end market.

Save the Bacon - for you UK carnivores

Save the Bacon has just announced a huge promotion for organic cooked meats and much more. Here's what they're offering:

PIES
Classic Chicken Pie
Moroccan Lamb Pie
Pork Pie
Steak & Kidney Pie
Steak & Red Wine Pie
Salmon Fish Pie

ORGANIC SOUPS
Carrot & Courgett e Soup
Chicken & mushroom Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup
Cream of Tomato Soup
Leek & Potato Soup
Lentil & Vegetable Soup

ORGANIC MEALS
Beef Provencal
Beef Stroganoff
Meatballs in Tomato & Herb Sauce
Lasagne
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Mango
Coq Au Vin
Thai Chicken
Lamb Tagini
Shepherd's Pie

ORGANIC VEGETARIAN MEALS
Cheese & Tomato Pizza
Mushroom Stroganoff
Spinach & Ricotta Lasagne
Vegetable Shepherd's Pie

ORGANIC PUDDINGS AND CAKES
Baked Almond & Apple Pudding
Bread & Butter Pudding
Chocolate Bread & Butter Pud
Luxury Rice Pudding
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Custard Sauce
Gingerbread
Chocolate Brownies
Traditional Flapjack

The top organic and Fairtrade coffees - and how to taste them

John Weaver, coffee buyer for Cafédirect, knows his Palenque from his Kilimanjaro and his Machu Picchu. The rest of us are not so sure.

(Note from me: This is a good article about vocabulary - what is organic, what is fair trade, that sort of thing. But are these the best? You decide- you have plenty of choices!)

McDonalds' milk goes organic

Organic dairy farmers could benefit from increased demand for their milk after McDonalds has announced it is switching to organic milk for its coffee and hot chocolate drinks.

The move could account for 5% of the UK’s organic milk supplies.

Organic tomato boosted at UCD

In another tantalizing suggestion that organic produce may be more nutritious, UC Davis researchers have found that tomatoes grown organically in a campus test field packed an extra punch.

The organic tomatoes were richer in two types a flavonoids, compounds believed partly responsible for lower rates of cardiovascular disease and some cancers in people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

technorati tags: organic, organic food, health food, natural food, organic vegetables, organic produce

Organic food under threat

A path leads around Bwlchwernen Fawr farm, through the fields and past a wood that is home to kites, buzzards and tawny owls. The trail twists at a stream feeding the river Aeron before bubbling underground beside a badger sett which local schoolchildren are encouraged to visit.

To outside eyes, Bwlchwernen, in West Wales, appears to be an idyll of peace and tranquillity. From the inside, however, it is anything but.

Fourth of July Wine Tasting

First, happy Fourth of July to all of us who consider it a good thing. Slightly belated Happy Canada Daty to our neighbors to the north.

Today is my dad's birthday, so I wanted to find some higher-quality organic wines for our tasting. I went to my local Bev-Mo thinking I'd have a better selection. Well, maybe, but it was like the proverbial needle in the haystack. They have lots to choose from, but without reading the fine print associated with every bottle it was hard to figure out what was organic. I settled on two:

Bonterra Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a silver medalist in Monterey. Very smooth and not too tannic. Very nice with the tri-tip.
Naked (from Snoqualomie Vineyards) 2006 Riesling. Definitely sweet and more of a dessert wine, but smoothly sweet, not cloying. Rated 90 points.

Both of these are from organically grown grapes, rather than being fully organic wines.

technorati tags: organic, natural, organic wine, natural wine, organic red wine, organic+white+wine

Specials today

Wine lovers: Wine Enthusiast is giving free shipping on its racking kits.
All kinds of food lovers: check out the summer sale at Sur la Table.
One of my own favorites, CoffeeAM, is currently offering chocolate raspberry coffee as its bonus. They have a good selection of organic and fair trade coffees.

What is Organic Coffee?

This is the process of growing crops without the use of fertilizers and other substances. This means farmers will work in the fields, let the water give the plants its nutrients and then watch it grow with the help of the sun.

Pesticides In The Body - Don’t Look, Don’t Find

When the government tests for chemicals people carry around in their bodies, it doesn’t check for the pesticides most commonly found on fruits and vegetables sold in grocery stores.

Trace amounts of agricultural chemicals — so-called “pesticide residue” — show up on many fruits and vegetables grown with conventional farming techniques. Some of the most contaminated produce includes seasonal favorites like peaches, apples, nectarines and strawberries.

UK ENERGY SAVING SHOCKED AT EU DECISION TO ALLOW GM CONTENT IN ORGANIC PRODUCTS

UK Energy Saving was shocked to learn of the EU’s decision to allow up to 0.9% of organic products to be genetically modified (GM) whilst still being labelled as GM free. Organic food in particular, along with other organic products, is becoming more popular as consumers realise the potential health and environmental benefits, and UK Energy Saving dedicates a section of their website, www.uk-energy-saving.com, to organic products.

ACCC secures $270,000 boost to organic food

Moves to develop a national Australian standard for organic and biodynamic produce has been given a financial boost following an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission action against a fraudulent company.

Washington Organic Acreage Output Continues Growth

Noting there may be some inconsistencies in reporting numbers, Washington State University researchers believe the state's certified organic acreage may have increased by 70% since 2002.

More specials!

Seems like a lot of current specials are taking advantage of barbecue season!

In the UK, Save the Bacon has a long list of specials on meats as diverse as wild boar, pheasant, and venison.

In the US, check Niman Ranch for its range of specials, including sausages, steaks, and more. Lindauer Farms is also offering $20 of tenderloin tips free with the purchase of any steak pack.

For everything else you need for that fine outdoor mean (or an indoor one, for that matter) CyberCucina is still offering 10% off all grilling and barbecue items, through the end of June.

If you're in the mood to grow your own organic garden, don't miss this ebook for excellent tips.

More good stuff: igourmet, with all its specialty foods, is offering 5% off any purchase with code KGB5, all the way till the end of July. They also have a whole section of specials, including buy one, get one free.

Wine: I've found specials on a Chilean cabernet, among others, at wine.com. They currently have a nice selection of organic wines.

What a "Muscle-Head" Bodybuilder Says About Organic Food (part 1)

This is a long enough article that I'm breaking it up in the newsletter, but here it is in its entirety.

What a "Muscle-Head" Bodybuilder Says About Organic Food
by: Tom Venuto

Last week I was talking about nutrition with one of my workout buddies and when I mentioned grass fed beef and "organic food” he asked, "Do you mean like what you get at Whole Foods Market?"

I said, "Yes, exactly... that's a natural food and organic supermarket." He said, "Yeah well, that place costs so much, I call it Whole Paycheck!"

I was rolling on the floor laughing, but the truth is, organic food really is expensive and so is grass fed beef and free range chicken, so it's a valid question to ask, “Is it worth it?”

After researching the subject and doing some personal experiments with my own diet, let me offer you my take on it from a bodybuilder’s viewpoint. This is a perspective on organics you may not have heard before.

First, look at it this way - if you put the cheapest fuel in your luxury car, how well is it going to run and how many miles are you going to get out of it?

While I'm on car analogies, health and fitness author and educator Paul Chek once wrote about how ridiculous it is to watch how many $75,000 + cars pull up to the Mcdonald's or Burger King drive through window to buy $1.99 hamburgers.

I would say that's a serious case of screwed up priorities, wouldn't you? The driver has no problem shelling out the $1,100 monthly car payment, but it's too much to ask him to put premium fuel into his own "bodily vehicle."

How can you put ANY price tag on your body and your health? You can buy another car, but you've only got one body.

Now, as for the grass fed beef and organic foods question….

For best results in body composition improvement, which I define as burning fat and or building muscle, (and I'll even go as far as to say for optimal health as well), I am a believer in including animal proteins, including lean meats.

I have no wish to take up the vegetarian debate in this article. I respect vegetarians and acknowledge that a healthy and lean body can be developed with a vegetarian diet if it is done properly, although it may be more challenging for strict vegans to gain muscle for various reasons.

However, in recommending animal protein as part of a healthy fat loss and muscle building nutrition program, I do agree that we all need to give some serious thought to what is in our meat (and in the rest of our food).

Some people say that meat is part of our “evolutionary” diet and it’s the way we were intended to eat and I wouldn’t argue with that. But is the meat we’re eating in today’s modern society the same as what was hunted and eaten many thousands of years ago, or has some “toxic stuff” found its way into our beef, poultry and fish that wasn’t there before?

I also think we should consider what is *missing* from our commercially grown food, that is supposed to be in there, that probably used to be there in the past, but may not be today.

A lot of people are not paying any attention to this... even people who should know better. I admit it - I was oblivious to this for a long time myself. Here’s why:

I am not your typical "health and wellness" or "weight loss" expert. I am also competitive bodybuilder. We bodybuilders are well know for eating very clean diets with lots of lean protein and natural carbs, as well as for looking like "the picture of health" with our ripped abs and impressive muscularity.

We eat our oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast, and proudly walk around with our chicken breast, rice and broccoli or our flank steak, yams and asparagus, and boast about how perfect and clean our meals are and how our diets are already “clean” and could not be improved.

But how many bodybuilders or fitness enthusiasts are there - even serious, dedicated and educated ones - who don't give a single thought to the poisonous chemicals that might be lurking in our supposedly "clean" food?

The Food and Drug Administration lists more than 3,000 chemicals that can be added to our food supply. One billion pounds of pesticides and farming chemicals are used on our crops every year.

Depending on what source you quote, the average American consumes as much as 150 pounds of chemicals and food additives per year.

Does ANYBODY out there think that this is good for you?

Didn't think so.

If you had a way to avoid all these chemicals and toxins, would you at least explore it, even if it cost a little more?

Although this topic is controversial and hotly debated, organic food is gaining in popularity and seems to fit this bill.

Food grown on certified organic farms does not contain:

Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, Hormones, Antibiotics or Chemical fertilizers

It is also not:

Irradiated or Genetically modified

Beyond the "certified organic" label, grass fed beef and free range chicken (and eggs), have other advantages.

Not only can there be tons of antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals in our meat, but also commercially raised beef is fed grain or corn and yet that is not what the animals were meant to eat.

The result - aside from sick, drugged animals - is a higher overall fat, higher saturated fat and a screwed up ratio of omega three to omega six fats, which is a very big problem today - even when you think you're eating "clean." Most people accept the idea that “you are what you eat,” but they forget that the animals we eat are what they ate!

Last but not least, proponents of organic food suggest that the vitamin, mineral and phytonutrient content of commercially grown foods can be anywhere from a little bit low to virtually absent.

So... if organic and or grass fed beef and free range chicken can help us avoid some of these problems and dangers, then I'm all for it and the extra investment.

I started eating grass fed beef almost exclusively (except for my occasional restaurant steak), quite a few years ago and started eating more and more organic food. I can't say I eat entirely organic. I eat a lot of it, but not 100%. If I'm eating an apple or some blueberries, and it doesn't happen to be organic, I don’t freak out over it.

When you really study deeply into the subject of food processing, industrial pollution and commercial farming, it can almost scare you half to death, but I don't recommend getting "alarmist" about it.

Sometimes it's the people who live in fear of a disease who are most likely to get it. I for one, am not going to live in a plastic bubble to isolate myself from a "toxic world"… oh, wait... make that a ceramic bubble, plastics are really bad for you.

All joking aside, the fear of toxins can be taken to the point where the fear itself is unhealthy, but the more I study this subject - from a variety of sources and perspectives - the more the organic argument does make sense to me. I’ve built my career in fitness based on being a natural bodybuilder, which means no steroids or performance enhancing drugs, so why would I expose myself to other chemicals if I can avoid them?

Honestly, I can't say I noticed any dramatic change in my physique or in the way I feel – at least not yet. I have always eaten clean and I was a successful bodybuilder for many years before I started eating more organic food and grass fed beef.

However, I feel confident about my decision to spend the extra money on grass fed beef, free range chicken (and eggs), and an increasing amount of organic food, knowing that I am avoiding toxins and getting more of the nutritional value I need to support my training and my health long term.

I'm certain this is the type of nutritional lifestyle change that can accrue benefits over time, even if you don't see an immediate "transformation."

One thing I would suggest before you run out for organic fruits and vegetables or grass fed beef and so on, is to consider what kind of shape your diet and your lifestyle are in right now. If your diet is currently such a total mess that you’re drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking, abusing coffee and stimulants, not even eating ANY fruits and vegetables to begin with...

And if your idea of lean protein is the processed lunch meat you get in your foot long sub, then I think it might be a little moot to worry about whether your fruits and veggies are 100% certified organic or whether your beef is grass fed. Just start cleaning up your diet and establishing new healthy habits, one step at a time. Focus on nutrition and lifestyle improvement, not perfection.

There are some very strong opinions on this subject. I am aware of that, and I'm not going to stand up on a pulpit and preach either way. What I have done here is simply share what I have found from my own research and what I decided to do in my own personal health and bodybuilding regimen.

My advice to everyone else is to become as educated as possible about what is really in your food, including how it is raised or grown, and to continuously seek ways to improve your nutrition above the level it is at now. Whether the next step in improving your nutrition is to go organic will be up to you to decide.

Copyright 2006 Tom Venuto

About The Author Tom Venuto is a natural bodybuilder, certified personal trainer and author of the #1 best selling e-book, "Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle,” which teaches you how to burn fat without drugs or supplements using the little-known secrets of the world's best bodybuilders and fitness models. Learn how to get rid of stubborn fat and turbo-charge your metabolism by visiting: http://www.burnthefat.com. To get Tom's free fitness newsletter, visit http://www.tomvenuto.com.

Organic sales break £1 billion mark but farms can't keep up

SALES of organic food have broken through the £1 billion barrier as record numbers of health-conscious Britons choose pesticide-free meals, according to a consumer report.

But as farmers struggle to keep up with demand, growth in the sector is slowing, market analysts warned.

Five Ways to Buy Organic Cheaply

If you think eating organic on a budget means making do with a handful of grapes or rationing portions from a single hormone-free chicken, starve not. With these five shopping tips, you can stock your shelves with no-pesticide, free-range, shade-grown goodies -- and still have money for those coveted hemp shoes.

Is organic food really more nutritious?

The overall body of science does not support the view that organic food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food, says a new review from the British Nutrition Foundation.

U.S. assesses the use of nonorganic ingredients in organic foods

The latest battle in the United States over what can be called organic involves beer and gelatin, food colorings and casings for sausage.

The Department of Agriculture, the final arbiter of all things organic, is poised to approve a list of nonorganic ingredients that can be used in food stamped with its green-and-white organic seal.

Farmers hope 'Canada organic' label will help them tap foreign markets

Organic growers across the country are busy filling out applications for federal certification — a program that could see Canadian-grown organic produce peddled further afield, including in Parisian markets and Tokyo grocery stores.

If it's organic, EU labels will tell it like it is

EU ministers ended 18 months of squabbling on Tuesday over new rules for organic farming and came up with a labeling system that will tell consumers exactly what they are buying on the supermarket shelves.

Farmers who sell produce containing at least 95 percent organic ingredients will use a special EU logo, along with a label to indicate the product's origin. Below that, there will be labeling of the organic ingredients present.

Ministers vote favourably on new EU organic regulation

European agriculture ministers yesterday reached agreement over new organic regulation and labelling that will simplify the sector for farmers and consumers and is expected to help drive further development.

Organic food helps revive fortunes of Europe's farmers

The organic revolution is sweeping across Europe, with the area of land dedicated to environmentally-friendly, pesticide-free food production more than doubling in the last decade.

EU's organic labeling vote upsets Italy

Several Italian constituencies expressed ire at an EU vote allowing producers to label "organic" genetically modified organism-contaminated foods.

The EU Council of Agriculture Ministers voted to set an accidental-contamination threshold of 0.9 percent for organic produce, meaning produce can be labeled and sold as organic as long as its GMO content is below 0.9 percent, the Italian news agency ANSA said. Representatives of Italy, Belgium, Hungary and Greece were against extending this limit to organic food.

Growing a Conscience

A movement to “buy local” has shoppers scouring for food grown close to home.  Are farmers’ markets headed for a revival?

Bio-wine sets down some roots

Production and consumption of organic wine in the Czech Republic is still in its infancy, but observers say the sector is rapidly growing to meet the demand of environmentally conscious consumers.

While foreign wine importers are adding new organic wines to their Czech portfolios, local organic wine producers are enlarging their vineyards hoping to secure sales in more restaurants and major retail chains.

technorati tags: organic wine, natural wine

How organic should you go?

The confusion about organic foods begins, for most people, in the produce department: Is that organic Granny Smith apple from Chile really worth 30 cents more than the one grown in Washington state? Is it healthier for my kids? Will buying it save a struggling family farmer? Will it help the planet?

technorati tags: organic+food, natural+food

Oxygen trick could see organic costs tumble

A simple, cheap treatment using just oxygen could allow growers to store organic produce for longer and go a long way towards reducing the price of organic fruit and vegetables, reports Lisa Richards in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI.

technorati tags: organic food, natural food, organic produce, organic fruit, organic vegetables

Wal-Mart Model Comes to Organics

Organic farming is based on the principle that using natural methods and eschewing all artificial inputs such as pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers and genetically modified organisms is better for the land, the farmer and the consumer. The organic movement flowered in the Seventies, a product of the environmental and countercultural movements, and influenced by the Whole Earth Catalog and books such as Silent Spring and Diet for a Small Planet.

technorati tags: organic food, organic farming, natural food

UAE: Organic food producers hit by lack of sales

Stunted sales of organic food in some supermarkets will not deter organic agriculture in the UAE and more home-grown organic produce will be widely available to residents regardless, say officials. While three specialty organic stores are now open in Dubai and Sharjah, some supermarkets with an organic section are reporting decreased sales.

technorati tags: organic food, natural+food, organic produce

Spin Cycle: Label Anxiety

When you consider that the green marketplace, for food at least, has reached $30 billion, it's easy to believe that, as one New York Times columnist put it, living and thinking "green" has hit Main Street. And as the bandwagons, hybrids of course, start rolling through town, it's also easy to believe that their heightened visibility will lead to a little road rage.

technorati tags: organic food, natural food

Organic food still leaves environmental footprint: study

While organic farmers may tout the environmental benefits of food produced without pesticides, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted through shipping is about the same as with non-organic food, University of Alberta researchers suggest.

technorati tags: organic food, organic, produce, organic farming, natural food

Organic shortage holds back high-potential market, analyst

Europe's first Whole Foods Market is set to open in London in two weeks' time, but the vast potential of the organic market is being curtailed by a shortage of organic produce, according to Organic Monitor.

technorati tags: organic food, natural food, organic produce

Long-haul veg may lose organic status

A SOIL Association proposal considering the removal of organic status from food flown into the UK should be seen as a business opportunity for Scottish farmers, according to the director of its Scottish branch.

The leading organic campaign group, which also certifies organic producers in Britain and around 30 other countries, will outline five options this week, including an outright ban. The consultation document is in response to a growing demand to reduce the carbon footprint of air-freighted food, which emits high levels of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change

Technorati tags: organic food, organic produce, organic vegetables, natural food

Food scares help China's nascent organic market

Fish could give you cancer, snails meningitis and baby milk may kill your children -- barely a day goes by without some new food horror story in China. This is helping drive sales in another, though still tiny, food sector in China -- organic produce.

But a loose regulatory framework and sometimes just plain confusion about what exactly constitutes organic food has proved a stumbling block, experts say.

Technorati tags: organic food natural food , organic produce organic farming

Organic Foods for Longer Living

People who are serious about their health are aware of all the chemical additives and hormones that are added to foods today. They want to decrease the amount of unhealthy foods they take in and are therefore switching to a totally organic way of life.

Organic food selections are the new trend that has taken the nation by storm. Everywhere you go, you can now see an organic section in stores. Many health food stores are popping up and selling all organic foods. From meat and poultry to eggs and milk, as well as vegetables and fruits, organic foods are making headway in grocery and health food stores across the country.

Technorati tags: organic food natural food

Rules for the organic food industry

THE ORGANICS industry is finally to have a single standard that many hope will protect shoppers from being duped by false labels.

No longer a cottage industry, organics are worth $500million a year in Australia, with consumption growing at 25 per cent to 40 per cent every year.

Technorati tags: organic food natural+food

What does GREEN mean?

When Mount Holly resident Lisa Frame became a mother seven years ago, she struggled to find stores that sold organic and hormone-free baby food for her son. She also had trouble finding stores that sold unbleached tissue and personal care products that wouldn't trigger her allergies.

Not anymore.

Technorati tags: natural food, organic food

Shocking News About Meat

Not long ago, most of our fresh meat was handled by butchers in local supermarkets and meat shops. Beef was dry aged in coolers  for up to four weeks, which made it more tender and flavorful. Aging also allowed water to evaporate, intensifying the flavor and reducing the meat’s weight by up to 20 percent. But skilled butchers were expensive, and the dry aging process required lots of cooler space. So, dry aging is becoming a thing of the past, and that, as well as other cost-cutting aspects of industrial meat production, have brought about major changes in the way beef, pork and chicken are handled before reaching our kitchens.

Technorati tags: organic meat, natural meat, organic food, natural food

A growing appetite for organic produce

There was a time when organic food could only be found in health food stores and farmers' markets -- sold alongside herbal medicine, hemp clothing and biodegradable shampoo.

But with a growing number of people taking an active interest in tracking their food from field to table, the organic business is booming.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food, organic produce

Bid to boost organic slaughter

A new drive has been launched to increase the number of abattoirs registered to slaughter organic livestock.

Organic certification body, Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G), said it is responding to concerns among its farmer licensees about a lack of capacity for organic slaughter in many areas.

Technorati tags: organic food, organic meat

Things You Don't Know About Organics

It's an organic world out there. After eating a meal of organic fruits, organic vegetables and organic pasta, you can wear organic jeans and roll around on organic carpet. With organic perfume, furniture and even pizza and beer, you might think there would be no surprises left for an entrepreneur hoping to make a statement in the organics industry. But you'd be wrong.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food

Canadian consumers push up popularity of organic foods, survey finds

Over half of Canadian households bought organically grown food last year, citing use of pesticides and fertilizers as their top concern, according to a Certified Organics Report released Monday.

Studies Indicate GM Crops Are Safer and Healthier

Organic foods are often considered the "gold standard" of safety and healthfulness to which all other foods should aspire. This carefully crafted perception is used by the organic food industry to justify the higher price of organic produce. This industry has also campaigned against genetically-modified crops, using terms like "Frankenfoods" -- claiming that they are unnatural creations of technology, dangerous for human health and bad for the environment.

An increasing number of scientific studies have established that these claims have little merit and that GM foods are actually better.

Tags: organic food, natural food, organic farming, GM food, genetically modified food

Federal court orders first-ever halt to planting of a commercialized genetically-altered crop

A Federal judge today made a final ruling that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 2005 approval of Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) "Roundup Ready" alfalfa was illegal. The Judge called on USDA to ban any further planting of the GE seed until it conducts a complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the GE crop.

Tags: organic food, natural food, organic farming

Federal court orders first-ever halt to planting of a commercialized genetically-altered crop

A Federal judge today made a final ruling that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 2005 approval of Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) "Roundup Ready" alfalfa was illegal. The Judge called on USDA to ban any further planting of the GE seed until it conducts a complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the GE crop.

Tags: organic food, natural food, organic farming

OrganicBouquet.com Predicts Green Tipping Point for $6.2 Billion US Floral Market

This Mother's Day, with nearly 75% of U.S. consumers expected to purchase flowers, environmentally-conscious consumers now have a choice. More than 500 million certified stems of sustainable flowers -- including roses, tulips and gerberas -- will be grown in 2007, according to Veriflora, the new eco-certification program for the fresh cut flower trade.

Tag: organic flowers

Standards Australia asked to hold off on developing an organic standard

Today the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) (and subsidiaries Australian Certified Organic & Organic Growers of Australia), called on Standards Australia to postpone the development of an organic standard at the first meeting of the Standards Australia organic technical committee in Sydney.

Tags: organic food, natural food, organic farming

Fair trade coffee for the birds & the planet

We hear mostly bad news about the environment these days. Problems such as global warming can appear to be so challenging, it’s hard to believe individual actions will make a difference.

But they do, and one way you can make a difference is in choosing the type of coffee you drink.

Technorati tags: organic coffee, fair trade coffee

Organic food sales are growing as consumers weigh their options

Go organic or not?

Experts say go with your comfort level. And for many people, that comfort level may have as much to do with their conscience as their health.

The sweet smell of an organic coffee victory

Organic coffee is safe, for now.

In a victory for organic farmers in the developing world and organic coffee drinkers here, the USDA's National Organic Program has backed down and said that there will be no immediate change in the way these farmers are certified.

organic coffee, fair trade coffee

Is the organic label worth the cost?

Organic food is one of the fastest growing categories in the food industry. In most cases, it can cost more than conventional food purchased at a grocery store, but is it worth it?
A farmer must go for four years without applying any pesticides to his land or crops to grow organic foods. Once they do that, they have to undergo an extensive and expensive certification process.

organic food, natural food, organic farming, organic fruit, organic vegetables, organic produce

Organic farms grow naturally

It's the time of year when empty fields across the Eastern Shore get some color. Crops are growing.

Traditional growing methods are still acceptable to most consumers, but more and more farmers are going organic to meet market demands.

organic+food, natural+food, organic+farming

Indonesian church goes organic

Nuns, priests and a seminarian have joined a group of Catholic farmers in southern Java, Indonesia, to promote organic food crops and assist the farmers to commercialise their products.

Technorati tags: organic+food, natural+food, organic+farming

More for Mom

It's May...and that means Mother's Day for most of us, and full spring for those of us north of the equator. So I have some recommendations and sources for both of those.

Specials and Recommendations

First, the springtime stuff. Even those of you south of the equator can take a look at this, especially if you're in a temperate climate. And if you're not, spring will return! If you're in gardening mode and looking to develop your own organic garden, I've found some resources for you. Here's a guide book called "Companion Planting: Complete Guide to Healthy Plants." It's by an Australian woman who goes over things like what plants to grow together, how to attract the beneficial insects, how much to plant for your family, and more.

For more information on living an organic lifestyle year-round, including in gardening season, try "The Ultimate Organic Lifestyle." Not just food, but clothing, furniture...things I wouldn't even thought of.

Both of these ebooks come with guarantees, so be sure to take a look.

Now...on to Mom.
Flowers, gifts and such: In the U.S., take a look at Organic Bouquet. They have all kinds of wonderful Mother's Day ideas, and are even offering a free vase with your Mother's Day flowers.

In Australia, there's my perennial favorite, Rainbow Designs. All kinds of gifts, and free shipping throughout Australia.

Chocolate: In the U.S. and Canada, Chocolate Source is offering 10% off any purchase over $10 - just use coupon code MOM2007. That's good all the way through the end of July. Try Lake Champlain Chocolates if you're looking for kosher.

In Australia, try Definitely Chocolate. They have chocolate that's not only organic but vegan, wheat free, gluten free, even dairy free.

Fruit, etc.: GotFruit is about the easiest and has a good variety of boxes and baskets with fruits, nuts, and other goodies. U.S., free shipping too. There's always Hickory Farms, Mission Orchards, Pfaelzer Brothers, and Almond Plaza as well, and while they may have a wider variety in general, they don't have as much that's organic.

And if you need to browse, there's always amazon.com. If there's nothing interesting on the store front, browse the whole site.

I know I haven't covered everything. Browse the web site...there are pages and pages on wine, meat, produce, chocolate, and coffee, plus sources for wine and kitchen accessories. If you have any favorites or requests, let me know, or post them here.

Technorati tags: organic food, organic chocolate, organic fruit, organic gifts, organic gardening, organic flowers

Update on the USDA certification uproar

On April 26, representatives from Equal Exchange met with the USDA and presented their concerns and their petition about the recent ruling for certification of farm cooperatives. As we expected, this isn't over yet. The USDA assured the Equal Exchange team that they have heard from organic advocates "loud and clear" and that in "two or three days" they would issue a statement that they thought would make us "happy". Watch this space - we haven't lost our coffee yet.

For more details, visit the Equal Exchange site.

Green foods equal green dollars for grocers

Island resident Joe Armentrout remembers a time when eating organic meant growing his own or making the drive to a specialty retailer in Houston.

That was, “until they started doing this,” said Armentrout, 63, gesturing toward Kroger’s newly unveiled Nature Market in Galveston. From apples to zucchini, Armentrout had his pick.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food, organic coffee

With organic fruit and veg demand soaring why the reluctance to switch?

THE United Kingdom’s organic vegetable market was worth £292million last year. Consumers, it appears, are ‘crying out’ for the products, the vast majority of which can be grown on these shores.

However, the reality is that retailers, wholesalers and even box schemes are increasingly having to look elsewhere to ensure they meet the demand.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food, organic fruit, organic vegetables, organic produce

'Food miles' poser as animal feed is flown in to meet organic demand

SCOTTISH farmers are being forced to use pesticide-free animal feed from Ukraine and Kazahkstan to keep up with the demand for organic meat, The Scotsman can reveal.

Stocks of wheat are being transported thousands of miles to compensate for a dire shortage of local organic wheat.

Technorati tags: organic food, organic meat, natural food

Uprooting the organic claims

Borough Market in South London is the granddaddy of farmers markets. On a Wednesday lunchtime there is a big queue at the organic salad bar. Next door there's a steady stream of customers at Betty's organic stall stocking up on organic herbs and spices.

For many consumers, there's a belief that eating organic will improve their health. It's one Betty supports.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food

Area farmers strive to grow chemical-free produce

Pollution and climate change are now drawing worldwide attention, and one result of increasing awareness is a new interest in organic farming techniques and buying from local producers.

Helaine Harris, president of the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, said in the Cape Region, more farmers are producing chemical-free and organic products, and that’s attracting more consumers to local farmers markets. More farmers are using organic and chemical-free practices, and more consumers are demanding their produce.

Technorati tags: organic food, organic meat, natural food

Organic farming gaining popularity

More and more farmers are putting aside pesticides and harmful farming methods and taking up organic farming.

As of last year, 2,367 hectares were farmed organically, up from 131ha in 2001 when organic farming was formally introduced to the country.

B.C. organic producers get $100,000 grant

B.C.'s organic producers are getting help from the provincial government as health-conscious consumers lap up organic food products of all kinds and new agriculture standards are set.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food

The great backlash against organic

Some of the enthusiastic bloom is being washed from organic produce lately by prominent magazine articles that appear aimed at confusing the issue of organic food and its benefits with the latest buzz word, local — accusing the demand for organic food of aiding and abetting global warming, and trying to steer us back toward conventional (read hormone, pest, herbicide, and synthetic fertilizer-doused) foods including GMOs.

Technorati tags: organic food, natural food

Retailers enter battle for high ground in GM foods

South Africa's three major food retailers are actively courting the organic produce market while, somewhat paradoxically, government agencies are hoping to have the first genetically modified (GM) crops on supermarket shelves soon.

Technorati tags: natural food, organic food, GM food, genetically modified

New logo helps you separate the organic wheat from the chaff

If you're among the growing number of Canadians who buy organic foods, you've probably noticed it's easier to find a wider variety of products - and they're not confined to health-food stores.

With sales increasing at a rate of 20 per cent a year, mainstream grocery stores - even Wal-Mart - are offering organic products.

Technorati tags: organic food, organic produce, natural food

When the Wine Is Green

YOU’VE taken your hybrid car out to run some errands. You’ve stocked up on organic produce and nontoxic cleaning supplies at the supermarket. You’ve stopped at the Home Depot to take advantage of its new Eco Options plan, picking up energy-efficient light bulbs, paint that is low in pollutants and wood harvested according to the principles of sustainable forestry. You’ve dropped off the recycling. One more stop to make, the wine shop.

Why should wine be any different?

Technorati tags: organic food, organic wine, organic winemakers

Give children organic fruit, urges professor

An Ulster professor has urged parents to consider buying organic after new tests revealed potentially cancer-causing chemicals were found on fruit given to millions of children each day.

Technorati tags:organic food