Organic growers have difficulty meeting demand, USDA reports

Demand for organic food has been outpacing the ability of U.S. farms to supply it, according to USDA economists.

Forty-four percent of organic handlers reported short supplies of ingredients in 2004, the economists said in a report on the state of the industry.

Thirteen percent of the organic companies said they couldn't meet demand for at least one of their products.

Organic means costly

You'll just set some crops and let nature take its course, right?

Oh, so wrong.

“People really don't know what goes into this,” said Anthony Owens, who grows 96 acres of apples and 41 acres of vegetables and melons in Henderson County — all organically. “My famous quote is, ‘I've learned to become part farmer, part scientist.' People don't realize that organic growing requires so much more hands-on knowledge and research.”

Organic food faces new rules

The Canadian organic industry is preparing for the long-awaited National Organic Regulations.

The organic market has long been crowded with private standards, voluntary national standards and international certifications, including the United States Department of Agriculture's certifications and the European organic certifications.

How to buy the best organic foods

Americans spent close to $28 billion in 2008 on organic edibles, up from $1 billion in 1990, according to The Organic Trade Association. And organic foods remain an area of growth even with the rising cost of grocery items and tougher economic times.

If you're fueling these double-digit sales, you likely already have your reasons for buying organic. Even so, recent changes to America's food buying habits -- the rise of the local-food movement, increased awareness about foods' carbon footprint (the amount of greenhouse gasses released when producing and transporting goods) -- may leave you wondering where organic foods fit into a better-for-the-environment equation.

10 reasons to choose organic

When you step into a shop it’s easy to feel bewildered by the sheer number of ethical, healthy, green and animal friendly options available. The great thing about organic is – it ticks every box. Simple. When you consider all the different benefits organic offers, it all adds up to genuine good value. So, why choose organic?

The Ugly Truth Behind Organic Food

Is it time for a strawberry to make a political statement, again?

I'm standing on a farm south of San Francisco that is unremarkable in that it, like all of the other farms in the area, is a golden canvas of brilliant yellow flowers with the occasional patchwork of verdant greens, early signs of this year's season sprouting up.

Obama pledges $50m for organic farming

President Obama is offering US farmers a $50 million incentive to go organic.

The US leader, who has already dug up part of the White House lawn to grow organic vegetables, has made the funds available to support organic farmers as well as non-organic farmers who are learning about organic farming methods

Beyond Fairtrade: Mars turns on to sustainable cocoa

Howard-Yana Shapiro is global director of plant science and external research for Mars, the secretive food/confectionary empire. He sports a mesmerizing long white beard, which dates back beyond a decade of corporate life to when he founded a radical organic food company, Seeds of Change. Twelve years after Seeds of Change was sold to Mars — amid cries of betrayal from some customers — Shapiro recently announced that the world’s biggest chocolate company is committing itself to sustainable sourcing of the whole of its annual cocoa bean supply, worth more than US$1 billion. The policy starts with the Galaxy bar and by 2020 will encompass not just Galaxy and Mars but also Snickers, Twix and M&Ms. The new strategy also covers environmental issues and labor, dwarfing Cadbury’s pledge that all Dairy Milk chocolate will be Fairtrade later this year.

Why organic food may be worth the extra money

Do organic products warrant the higher price tag? Scientists have finally found out that they do – because they are probably better for you.

Researchers have discovered that organically-grown Golden Delicious apples have a 15 per cent higher level of health-giving antioxidants and phytochemicals than conventionally-grown varieties.

Fake organic produce concern

MANY products sold in Australia as "organic" may soon not qualify to go under that label.

And the finger has been pointed at supermarkets for failing to properly verify whether products they sell are truly organic.

Discussions are almost complete on a national organic standard, but negotiations have split the industry as opposing groups argue over whether products from animals fed synthetic foodstuff should be labeled organic.

Organic or not?

Chances are that "naturally grown" apple you're about to eat may look organic and taste organic, but it's probably not.

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) produce is similar to the USDA's definition of organic. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two are their labels. Both organizations prohibit synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, for example, and require farmers to pay fees, but there are significant differences in their certification.

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Wineries delve deeper into Earth-friendly practices

As the green movement gains momentum, more wine drinkers are seeking out wines that are made from producers that are using Earth-friendly farming practices. The topic is very intricate, so in the spirit of Earth Day, which falls on Wednesday, here's a basic overview of important farming practices in the wine industry.

If a wine is made from certified organic grapes, the label will read "organically grown," "organically farmed," or "made with organically grown grapes." The fundamental idea behind organic farming is to harvest grapes that have been grown without pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or any other synthetic chemicals.

Cost vs. Quality: Is Organic Food Really Better?

It seems all the nation is abuzz with organic fever. The number of farmers markets has increased dramatically in the past several years, sales of organic products have more than doubled and even the new First Family has jumped on the organic bandwagon.

But in uncertain economic times, some people are asking if the higher cost of organic foods is worth the benefit. And when it comes down to it, what benefit are we really talking about anyway?
When discussing organic food, most people are referring to food that complies with and has been accepted as “Certified Organic” by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA’s Organic Standards were set in 2002, twelve years after the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
In order for a food to become Certified Organic, the grower of the food must be inspected for compliance with the USDA’s “Organic Standards” by an accredited state or private agency.

It’s Easy Being Green: Wine Goes Organic

It’s becoming easier for environmentally conscious wine lovers to enjoy their favorite libation. Just ask the Obamas: A few weeks ago at their first official White House dinner, they served organic wine to visiting state governors. But you don’t have to be the First Family to indulge in these new wines. An increasing number of merchants, bars, and restaurants offer a range of choices in planet-friendly wines that are made from organically farmed grapes and sustainable agricultural methods that emphasize water and soil conservation.

Forging a Hot Link to the Farmer Who Grows the Food

The maker of Stone-Buhr flour, a popular brand in the western United States, is encouraging its customers to reconnect with their lost agrarian past, from the comfort of their computer screens. Its Find the Farmer Web site and special labels on the packages let buyers learn about and even contact the farmers who produced the wheat that went into their bag of flour.

Organic fruit & veg may help prevent cancer

Organic fruit and vegetables may help prevent cancer and heart disease just in the same way as taking a low dose of aspirin every day, according to a recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet. The key element of this properties seem to be salicylates, which are contained in high levels in fruit and vegetables and are also the active anti-inflammatory ingredient of aspirin.

Here's where to buy your spring and Easter bouquets

Organic Bouquet offers a free vase with every bouquet. Even better, some come with free chocolates.

Categories of organic products

# Fully organic: Products are fully certified by accredited organic agency. No chemicals used since a long time.
# Organic in Conversion: The products are from farms in process of conversion to get organic certification. No chemicals used.
# Registered to organics: Certification process not yet started. Products are from farms growing product naturally without any history of chemical use.

Organic foods vs. conventional foods

Picture yourself in a grocery store with an apple in each hand; both feel the same, look alike, and provide the same nutritional value. The only differences are, one is certified organic and a bit more expensive and the other is conventionally grown and slightly less expensive. So which is the better choice?

Choosing to buy organic as a healthier alternative has been a long and heavily researched debate. Many would argue that organic is the better choice because farmers are under stricter standards of purity, however skeptics say there is no scientific research that proves organic is healthier or safer.