Parents Paying the Cost to Avoid Chemicals

"WASHINGTON - There's a six-week wait for a $15 stainless steel sippy cup made without harmful compounds. Some big box chains are eager to start selling a $300 organic crib mattress that was tested to ensure it doesn't emit any dangerous gases.

Last year's recalls of lead-tainted toys alerted many parents to the possible presence of toxic substances in their children's favorite playthings.

Entrepreneurs and national retailers learned a lesson too: Uncertainty over the safety of the everyday products that surround their children means parents are willing to pay handsomely for peace of mind."

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French Organic Seed Company Fined for Selling "Illegal Seeds"

"Association Kokopelli, which is a French independent organic seed saving and selling organisation was fined €35,000, last week, after being taken to court by corporate seed merchant Baumaux.

Association Kokopelli were found guilty of selling traditional and rare seed varieties, which were not on the official EU-approved list. Such seeds are deemed illegal to sell on the grounds that it gives the seller an “unfair trading advantage”.

Dominique GuilletThe European Commission met this week to draft the new legislation for seed control, which is planned for 2009, and the case of Association Kokopelli being found guilty sets a dangerous precedent and will potentially further restrict the geographic movement and range of crop varieties."

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Cornell Students Running Organic Farm

"It’s great to eat local. You can eat amazing stuff and at the same time know that your bite is loaded with more than just flavor. You’re supporting your local economy and the environment. But wouldn’t it be cool to take a step further and actually get involved with the production of your food? At Cornell’s student-run organic farm, Dilmun Hill , you can do just that!

During the semester it is pretty hard for students to plant and maintain a garden. Time commitments aside, you probably wouldn’t get much in the way of harvestable produce before you take off in May. Also, not many of us have the space for a garden – whether you live on North, West, Collegetown or elsewhere. We could try to till up the Arts Quad, but I doubt that would go over well with the administration… So that’s where Dilmun comes in!"

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Organic Workshop in Ohio

"WOOSTER, Ohio -- A workshop this month will help Ohio farmers learn how to profit from the growing demand for organic food.

"Organics 101: An Introduction to Organic Crop Production," will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave.

Marketing organic crops, economics of organic production, organic certification, organic standards and locating approved production inputs will be among the topics. Crop rotation, pest management and soil biology will also be discussed."

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Emeril Lagasse to Shoot Show from Whole Foods

"Score one for major product placements. Emeril Green, the new program from former Food Network kingpin Emeril Lagasse, will be shot entirely inside a Whole Foods Market. Using only organic and sustainably-produced food, Lagasse’s show, broadcast live, will also serve as a real-time advertisement for the upscale supermarket; Whole Foods employees will be the ones picking out the ingredients for his recipes, in what we hope involves running around with shopping carts and a stopwatch a la Supermarket Sweep."

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Whole Foods Launches Premium Body Care Standards

"AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to growing consumer interest and confusion about natural personal care products, Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has developed a new Premium Body Care standard and labeling seal of approval, setting a new industry benchmark. The new standard raises the bar for defining quality natural personal care and helps consumers decipher which body care products in its Whole Body(TM) departments contain the most natural and highest quality ingredients.

"Personal care products are not regulated like food in this country so there are currently no consistent standards for them laid forth by any governing body. Customers have been bombarded with brands and products claiming to be 'natural,' which can be confusing," said Jeremiah McElwee, senior global Whole Body coordinator. "Our goal is to provide an alternative approach for our customers, so they know that when they see the Premium Body Care seal they are getting safer, higher quality personal care products. We invite shoppers to look for the new seal, which can be found on nearly 1,200 products in our Whole Body departments."

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Ellen DeGeneres to Start Organic Pet Food Range

"Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres is adding pet food entrepreneur to her name by launching a range of natural dogs' dinners.

The pooch-loving star has teamed up with Halo, a company known for its organic pet food varieties, for the new venture.

She tells Parade magazine, "Ours (range) is all human grade. It's all natural. And yes, you can eat it."

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