New Report Says "Organic" Fertilizers Contained Synthetic Chemicals

"Some California farmers poured tons of fertilizer on their organic crops for years, not knowing the supposedly organic fertilizer was spiked with a synthetic chemical, the Sacramento Bee reveals in an investigation.
The additive, ammonium sulfate, is commonly used in non-organic farming. But organic growers eschew such additives -- marketing and pricing their produce accordingly.

Unbeknownst to the farmers, the fertilizer made from chicken feathers and fish also had a dose of ammonium sulfate.

The state ultimately discovered the problem in 2004, but failed to tell organic farmers that what they had been using for years was not organic, the Bee says."

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Organic Troubles in China

"ON a farm in Songjiang District, not a single machine sound can be heard instead you can hear buffalo, goats and chickens.

The chickens hang around among figs and goats chewing vegetable leaves in the sheepfold. It could be a traditional farm, except that the orderly lined vinyl houses tell a different story. This is a modern organic farm in suburban Shanghai.

Organic produce has become widely embraced as an increasing number of people care more about the quality, rather than the quantity, of food they eat. The organic trend has already swept Europe and it is now making inroads in China.

About 52.2 percent of Chinese consumers have accepted the idea of organic food and some have already eaten organic produce, according to the 2008 Biofach China International Organic Trade Fair and Conference. There are now more than 2,500 organic food producers across the country, Biofach says."

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Abundant Harvest Organics Donates Extra Food to Charity

"The Saturday before Christmas, a large refrigerated truck pulled into College of the Canyons to deliver its usual weekly supply of farmed produce, although this time it carried an extra load for local families in need.

Abundant Harvest Organics donated all the extra food to the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center, which in turn distributed it to local families that partake in the non-profit’s services.

The delivery came just in time for the holidays. "

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RNCOS Issues Organic Food Market Report

"RNCOS has recently added a new Market Research Report titled, "Emerging Organic Food Markets" to its report gallery. The report provides extensive and exhaustive research on the growing market for organic food and beverages all around the world. It defines the organic food market in various countries of the world and gives thorough insight into market trends and market segments, creating an industry overview for organic food and beverages market. In the report analysis of organic food market is done on the basis of its development level of the market, i.e. matured market and developing market.

The global organic food market is growing rapidly, with the growth rate of about 19% in 2007. Increasing health and environmental awareness among consumers is the major reason for the stupendous growth in the market. Demand for organic food is concentrated in North America and Europe, these two regions contributed around 96% of global revenues in 2007. Exceptionally high growth rates have tightened the supply in almost every sector of the market and this is creating opportunity for the organic food exporters."

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Feed Becoming More Expensive for Organic Farmers

"Organic farmers in the United Kingdom have asked the Government for permission to take a "holiday" from strict organic standards in an attempt to survive the recession.
The drastic move by organisations including the Soil Association follows a dip in sales of organic produce and fears for the future of Britain's 5,000 organic farmers.

Sales of organic food slumped 10% in the 12 weeks up to the end of November, according to the latest figures from the consumer researchers TNS. Overall food sales over the same period were up 6%.

Organic certification bodies, including the Soil Association, want their members to be able to use conventional animal feed instead of organic food concentrate, which costs double."

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Pomme Bebe Opens in Newport Beach

"Pomme Bebe takes the baby food industry to a whole new level by offering a sample tasting bar of their organic, green baby food and providing home delivery from their online store.

The company came about, to provide a fresh alternative to standard jarred baby foods that can spend up to two years on grocery store shelves before being brought home and consumed. For years, busy moms have also made their own fresh purees for their little ones, but it can be time consuming to create enough meals to give a baby well-rounded nutrition."

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Review: Steaz Beverages

I'm really into drinking Steaz products lately. I can't get enough of their teas and green tea sodas. These all organic beverages are refreshing and not overly sweet. Several months ago, I was sent a bunch of their products and since then, I've been hooked.

Although I've never been much of a soda drinker, I know I can feel good about drinking Steaz with their all organic ingredients and great flavors. I also got a chance to try their energy drinks, and I can safely say they give a great boost of energy without the edginess of other energy drinks.

Why not buy a pack of Steaz sodas for the holidays and slap a bow on top? That's a gift I know I would love to receive!

Click here to visit the Steaz website.

OCA Upset with Obama USDA PIck

"Well, we now have our answer to the question of who President-elect Obama will appoint to head the USDA: former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack. I don’t know much about him. What I hear is that he is former chair of the Governors Ethanol Coalition (uh oh), the Governors Biotechnology Partnership (oops), and the National Governors Association’s Natural Resources Committees (not sure about this one). I’m disappointed. This looks like mainstream, industrial agriculture to me, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least for awhile.

The Organic Consumers Association, however, is not. It says his appointment is hardly “change we can believe in,” and it “sends the message that dangerous, untested, unlabeled genetically engineered crops will be the norm in the Obama Administration.” If you agree with the OCA, you can join its petition opposing the appointment."

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Organic Farmers Want to Bend Rules?

"Organic farmers have asked the Government for permission to take a "holiday" from strict organic standards in an attempt to survive the recession.

The drastic move by organisations including the Soil Association follows a dip in sales of organic produce and fears for the future of Britain’s 5,000 organic farmers.

Sales of organic food slumped 10 per cent in the 12 weeks up to the end of November, according to the latest figures from the consumer researchers TNS. Overall food sales over the same period were up 6 per cent."

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Update II

It has been a little over a month now, and I have tons of emails to go through, but I should be back to posting regularly within the next week or so. I have plenty of reviews to write too so if you have sent me a product in the past few months and I have not reviewed it yet, I will try to get to it before or around the New Year.

Thank you for your continued to support. I apologize for the delay!