According to a new report, “Beyond Organic: The Revolution in Consumer Food Expectations,” specialty foods are here to stay. The report looked at consumer preferences and purchase habits of specialty foods including gluten free and ethically produced (non-GMO, antibiotic, hormone free, etc.). According to co-author Peter Walter, consumers are particularly committed to certain types of specialty, or organic foods. For …
Organic Trade Association Petitions for Checkoff
The Organic Trade Association, along with the GRO Organic Core Committee, has formally petitioned the USDA to begin steps to conduct a vote on and implement a research and promotion check-off program for the organic industry. You can read an executive summary of the proposal here (pdf). OTA’s action reflects three years of dialogue with the entire organic sector and …
USDA: Number of Organic Producers Hits Record
The number of organic producers in the U.S. has hit a record. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says there are 19,474 certified organic operations in the United States and a total of 27,814 certified organic operations around the world. According to data released by the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), the number …
MOSES Organic Farming Conference
The MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wis. this weekend had record attendance, illustrating the dramatic growth of organic agriculture. More than 3,500 people participated in the 26th annual conference, organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). The MOSES Conference included 67 workshops, 10 pre-conference all-day courses, an exhibit hall with 177 vendors, and organic meals. …
ZimmComm Partner Authors Organic Report
Our own Joanna Schroeder was the principal researcher for a recent research report published in Academics Review, “Organic Marketing Report,” findings of which she presented at the Western Plant Health Association annual meeting in Palm Desert, California. Joanna’s research found no scientific consensus to prove the organic marketing industry’s claims that organic food is more nutritious and safer than traditional …
American Appetite for Organic Breaks $35 Billion
Sales of organic products in the United States jumped to $35.1 billion in 2013, up 11.5% from previous years and the fastest growth rate in five years, according to the latest survey from the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The OTA survey projects that growth rates over the next two years will at least keep pace with the 2013 clip and …
MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year
The Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) just announced their 2013 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year. Congratulations to Charlie Johnson of Johnson Farms in Madison, SD. Charlie farms with his brother, Allan and cousin, Aaron. The trio operates a organic crop and beef farm on 2800 acres. Johnson’s organic process begins with his six-year crop rotation, which includes …
Monsanto Responds to Organic Lawsuit
Monsanto is facing a legal challenge from organic farmers over genetically modified seed. The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) filed suit this week on behalf of 60 family farmers, seed businesses and organic agricultural organizations, against Monsanto Company as a preemptive measure “to protect themselves from being accused of patent infringement should they ever become contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically modified seed, …
Book Review – Green Gone Wrong
Everyone has an opinion about the veracity of global warming, except, maybe global governments who are pursing economic improvements on the back of climate change. The quest for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and predominately carbon dioxide (CO2) has led to a spurt of new research around the development of more sustainable practices and technologies. But at what cost …
Buy Triscuits, Grow Your Own Garden
I was in the grocery store last night and just happened to find myself in the cracker isle when a box caught my eye. It was the new branding for Triscuits. What struck me was that NabiscoWorld is now promoting “home gardening” on the box. When you look at the back of the box there are instructions on how to …