Organic Shoppers Looking for More Than Just Food

"Seeing rows of organic fruits and veggies at the local supermarket is nothing new. And amid growing concerns of food contamination, don't expect it to slow down: Supermarkets, from Publix to Wal-Mart, have been rapidly expanding stores' square footage devoted to organic produce and meats.

But the organic craze is giving way to even more organic products - and none of them are edible. The proliferation of products is making at least one analyst ask if there's a limit to the demand for organics."

Read the article

Reduced Prices for Organic Fortnight

"To mark the UK’s biggest celebration of organic food, Organic Fortnight, Morrisons have reduced prices by a third on over 100 of their own brand organic products. The Soil Association’s annual drive to promote the benefits of eating organic produce runs from the 1st to the 16th September and Morrisons are holding staggered promotions in store throughout Organic Fortnight, encouraging customers to try a great range of organic products.

This year the Soil Association is asking everyone to ‘Wake Up To An Organic Breakfast’ so why not make the leap to organic with the most important meal of the day? To make it easy for you, at Morrisons we have everything you could possibly crave for a breakfast, from Pork Sausages and Eggs, to Low Fat Yoghurt and Muesli to Tea Bags and Jam, all Organic naturally."

Read the article

Farm Aid Receives Praise from Peak Organic Brewing

"Peak Organic Brewing, (http://www.peakbrewing.com/), a supporter of Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN FESTIVAL (http://www.farmaid.org/ ) in New York City on Sept. 9th , today praised Farm Aid for forging the urban-rural partnership needed to ensure the survival of the American family farmer.

"By holding the Farm Aid concert in the Big Apple, Farm Aid is giving us all a wake-up call. It is time for urban and rural communities to work together to ensure the survival of U.S. family farmers. Family farmers, especially organic farmers, are creating the highest quality products in agriculture today, and they deserve to be supported. Thank you Farm Aid for leading the way," said Jon Cadoux, the passionate craft brewer who founded Peak Organic Brewing Co. (http://www.peakbrewing.com/)."

Read the article

Demand for Raw Milk Soars

"The demand for raw, unpasteurized milk is booming. According to Sally Fallon, president for the Weston A. Price Foundation, the number of raw milk drinkers is now at about half a million people across the United States -- many of them willingly breaking the law, purchasing their milk from "underground black markets," and other creative setups.

Twenty years ago, the Food and Drug Administration banned interstate sales of unpasteurized milk, but individual states determine how raw milk is allowed to be bought and sold within their borders. The sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal in 15 states, whereas 26 allow it with restrictions. Only a handful of states, including Washington and California, allow it to be sold in stores."

Read the article

Watch Out for Parabens

"A vigilant label reader, 36-year-old Karen Altschul of Vernon Hills has known her favorite lotions and sunscreens contained parabens, or synthetic chemicals used as preservatives. But now that she routinely sees products at Sephora touted as "paraben-free," she wonders: "What, exactly, are parabens, and are they dangerous?"

Those are questions more consumers are asking now that "paraben-free" offerings have hit the mainstream; products made by Burt's Bees, which never has used parabens, are available everywhere from Whole Foods and Target to Borders, CVS, Walgreens and even Hallmark stores."

Read the article

Canada Begins the Organic Salmon Debate

"An association representing B.C.’s organic agri-food industry may discuss whether some farmed finfish and shellfish can be certified during a meeting this month.

Lee McFadyen, chair of the Certified Organic Association of B.C.’s standards review sub-committee on aquaculture, said a set of draft standards – written by the Pacific Organic Seafood Association – is currently before the association’s board of directors.
Those standards, she added, may be discussed at a mid-September meeting.

“I think anybody who wants to take an organic approach to food production needs to have a standard the public can recognize and that growers can follow,” said McFadyen, herself a self-described organic grower since 1962."

Read the article

Kroger Begins Marketing for Organic Line

"THE KROGER CO., ONE OF the nation's largest retail grocery chains, is wasting no time in launching marketing for its new organic foods line, announced in August.

The latest 19-page Kroger "mymagazine" currently being sent to Kroger Plus loyalty card members is dedicated to organics.

Kroger spokesperson Meghan Glynn confirms the mailer was sent out to coincide with and promote the expanded line of store-brand Private Selection Organics. She would not reveal how many consumers received the magazines or how they were selected. "We don't release specifics regarding marketing efforts," she said. "I can tell you there are other advertising initiatives around this on regional levels."

Read the article