Falling Short

"The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) said Monday that funding provisions for organic farming in the 2007 farm bill "fall short" of what's needed to keep up with burgeoning market demand.

The U.S. House of Representatives Friday ignored a veto threat from President Bush and approved a $284 billion, five-year farm bill in a 231-191 vote. Organic farming advocates were hopeful the legislation would reflect the growing market demand for organic foods and earmark the necessary funding to support research and market development for the industry."

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Organic Boost in Ireland

"EU approval of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for the period covering 2007-2013 will provide a major boost for organic production here, Food Minister, Trevor Sargent, has said.

The approval by the EU’s Rural Development Committee approved means that the new organic farming scheme, along with REPS 4, can be finalised and launched in early August."

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Whole Foods Shows Off Farmers Market

"Slowly, but surely, the new farmers market outside the Whole Foods grocery store in Fair Lakes is attracting a following. And last Sunday, people from near and far came to sample, peruse and buy.

"I LIKE IT because I found the things I needed to buy today, like tomatoes, eggplant, coffee and Boston lettuce," said Virginia Run's Kavitha Iyengar. "And the people are nice," added her husband, Murali. "I like the interaction with the vendors. It's an honest, hometown thing."
The market began in May and will possibly run until Halloween. It's each Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and Dale Stirzel, Whole Foods' assistant store team leader, couldn't be happier."

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Define Natural

"Can chicken injected with up to 15 percent salt water and seaweed extract be packaged with a "100 percent all natural" label?

Sure.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the salt water and seaweed are natural. Injecting natural products into another natural product is not unnatural, the USDA says.

However, the USDA policy has divided the poultry industry and united a coalition asking the federal government to redefine its diluted version of "natural."

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Holy Lamb Offers Organic Bedding

" A weeklong camping trip among California Redwoods seven years ago inspired Willow Whitton of Olympia to start her own business.

It wasn’t the tall trees that were the source of Willow’s inspiration. It was rather a last-minute pillow she had purchased for her trip.

While Whitton would have preferred a pillow made of organic materials, she said she got a decent night’s rest on the pillow made from nylon and other synthetics."

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Let the Battle Begin!

"Whole Foods squeezes it rivals by slashing its prices as much as 5 percent when other natural foods markets open nearby, an economist testifying on behalf of federal antitrust regulators said Tuesday.

"I would say Whole Foods responds to competition from other players" in the premium organic natural foods stores, said Kevin Murphy, an economist at the University of Chicago.

The grocer cut prices in Boulder in anticipation of Wild Oats opening a flagship store nearby, Murphy said."

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Whole Foods Chocolate Allergy Alert

"Whole Foods Market and the Food and Drug Administration are recalling "365 Organic Everyday Value Swiss Dark Chocolate Bars." The bars might contain almonds that aren't listed on the label."

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