ORGANIC ... OR NOT

Heather Fenimore is convinced organic food is the best choice for her family.

Fenimore, a Manheim Township social-services worker, first dabbled in organics more than 20 years ago, as a college student.

Motherhood intensified her desire to protect the environment and her new family's health. Organic produce, milk and eggs became staples on her shopping list.

So Fenimore was appalled when she saw the list of chemicals, pesticides and other synthetic materials — the very substances she's trying to avoid — that are completely legal in organic-food production.

USDA report aimed at smaller organic producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Institute for Rural Studies have collaborated on a report aimed at helping smaller California growers of organic fruits and vegetables.

Avoid These 7 Foods and You're Off To A Healthier New Year

1. Canned Tomatoes

The expert: Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A

The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Acidity -- a prominent characteristic of tomatoes -- causes BPA to leach into your food.

USA - Organic food bubble about to burst

Meat and poultry companies still hoping to cash in on the growing market for organic products may want to think again. New research from the Connecticut-based TABS Group suggests the market is, if not static, then not growing in terms of numbers of shoppers.

"In the mass market, organic is not growing," TABS founder and president Dr. Kurt Jetta told MEATPOULTRY.com. "Every year we measure the popularity of several categories of so-called, good-for-you products, and organic consistently has the lowest appeal."

Natural and Organic Agriculture Policy Being Planned

Head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' Agro-Investment Corporation, Dr. David Lowe, has said that there is scope for the development and growth of natural and organic agriculture in Jamaica, through a national policy framework for the sector.

Shoppers going green despite struggling economy

Despite the worst U.S. recession in decades, sales of organic and sustainable products have continued to grow, experts say, with shoppers willing to spend a few more dollars in a bid to become more green.

U.S. supermarket sales of environmentally sustainable or "ethical" products -- from energy-efficient light bulbs to organic produce -- will rise about 8.7 percent in 2009 to nearly $38 billion, according to a recent study by Packaged Facts, a market research provider.

Organic citrus on track despite obstacles

The organic citrus category may have hit a speed bump recently, but Scott Mabs, director of marketing for Homegrown Organic Farms, Porterville, Calif., isn’t sure the sagging economy deserves all the blame.

Sure, some consumers may be cutting corners and switching back to conventional produce, but Mabs believes the bigger challenge to the category is increased competition as more growers and suppliers climb aboard.

Organic vegetable shortage for Canada

Only five of the main producers in California are adhering to new Canadian regulations, prompting shortage concerns

Organic produce in Canada is anticipated to become more expensive this winter with some vegetable categories even appearing empty now the Canadian border is closed to organic vegetables containing sodium nitrate, according to a report by Canada.com.

Organic wine, EU starts addressing legislation

As early as next week the EU draft legislation on organic wine will be formally reviewed by experts from 27 member states to be hence presented by the European Commission in January, as previously planned.

Survey suggests 86% will buy organic or free range at Christmas

Nearly 90% of consumers claim that they will be eating a free range or organic turkey this Christmas, according to a new survey.

Goldenriverfarms.co.uk conducted a survey of 1791 people across the UK asking them what food they are planning to tuck into this Christmas and 86% said that they are buying free range or organic meat for their Christmas meal.

In the US, organics still a niche market

In the United States, organic foods haven't hit the mainstream and are still niche products despite their greater availability and growing awareness about their alleged health and environmental benefits, according to a new survey by marketing research and consulting firm TABS Group.

Organic farming sprouts in region

Consumers in the UAE and the wider region are gradually developing an appetite for organically raised products, and farmers and retailers are seeing greater opportunities to make a profit from supplying goods grown according to a natural philosophy.

Fresh Trends shows produce remains a favorite

And now for some good news.

Yes, 2009 was filled with a lot of bad news. In The Packer’s upcoming Year in Produce special report, the top three stories were not bursting with happiness and laughter. And there weren’t even any hurricanes or major food safety outbreaks this year.

I'm not sure what this is but it sounds like fun

Free Moose Munch - that's a chocolate goodie - with select Harry and David products. They'll have this available till December 31.

Green gifts: hard to argue with this one

New green wines at wine.com

Exclusively at Wine.com. The Eco Wine Trio includes three premium red wines from the Boisset Family Estates – the first available in PET bottles in the U.S. (What are PET bottles? They are BPA-free plastic bottles that weigh 90% less and have a 50% lower carbon footprint than glass bottles and feature a unique oxygen-barrier that ensures wine quality and taste.) They are presented in a gift box produced of 100% recycled packaging and it retails for $29.99 – an incredible value. With each Eco Wine Trio sale, Wine.com will direct 10% of the retail price to the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust, which funds construction of new, renewable energy projects in the U.S. In addition, EarthEra carbon balances the shipments of the Eco Wine Trio from the winery to you.

Vegan vino? Sure, but it comes with a few catches

Wines made from organically grown grapes used to suffer from a reputation for inadequacy. These were the murky beverages that were sold in health food co-ops and poured in vegetarian cafes that served sprouts and tofu. They were not to be taken seriously.

Today, the tide has turned. Consumers have come to expect their wines to come from sustainably grown fruit. And for grocery store shoppers, "organic" has become a term denoting quality rather than mediocrity.

But now there's a new word in the wine lexicon: vegan.

More wineries focus on going green

Rodney Strong Wine Estates announced last month that it is now "carbon neutral." The Sonoma County winery joins several in California, South America and New Zealand that, through conservation and investment in clean energy (by buying carbon credits), have reduced their carbon emissions enough to essentially zero out their contribution to greenhouse gases.

Wineries today tout their environmentalist credentials almost as much as their scores from influential wine critics. Their news releases gloat about certifications for sustainable or organic farming or glittering new solar power arrays more often than about the latest vintage release. Napa County police recently nabbed a ring of thieves who were sneaking onto winery grounds at night to pilfer valuable solar panels.

Organic wines gaining popularity worldwide

DRIVEN BY CONSUMER demand for more healthy consumption and an unspoiled environment, farmers and wine growers in the West have been turning to organic or alternative farming, that is, farming without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, as in the days before World War II.

There’s reason wine-grape growers are attracted to organic farming. With wine already under attack from adversaries of alcoholic beverages, growers have no wish to rile still another group, the foes of chemicals in farming.

However, organic wines are not just for fired-up eco activists. Today, even the most snobbish oenophiles match their discriminating taste buds with their environmental beliefs. The New York Times reported that organic wines have been a trend in the past two years. It’s not just because these wines supposedly prevent the throbbing head syndrome after a night of indulgence.

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