This week's dose of organic headlines, updates, resources, goodies, and recipes courtesy of Doug Snodgrass...
Finally, we got our organic certification. We promise to use our new-found powers for good, not evil. h/t to Firedoglake, support Marcy Wheeler.
Not sure whether this British news item is more a reflection of consumer belt-tightening or a by-product of the lack of a centralized, coherent message resulting from the relative independence associated with the organic food industry.
Rachel's drops 'organic' from name as sector suffers in downturn
New packaging for its yogurt and milk products is being rolled out with the simple brand name Rachel's rather than Rachel's Organic, as it has been known to date.
Industry experts suspect the change is being brought in because many customers now regard organic produce as an expensive luxury they can do without.
But whatever the cause for the British organic purchasing trend, American supermarkets seem to be making some headway with the message via private-label organic brands.
Store Brand Organic Products Gaining Prestege With Consumers Says New Study of What Shoppers Are Discussing Online
[...]
(Janet Eden-Harris, vice president of J.D. Power and Associates Web Intelligence Division) said the J.D. Power Web-based research project shows that consumer attitudes about many store brands have shifted in the last couple years. Rather than has has been the case in the past, in which generally store brands, including organics, have been considered by consumers to be of lower-quality, with a low-price focus (including poor packaging quality), private label brands, particularly store brand organics, are now being thought of as unique and as having quality commensurate with that of traditional manufacturer-marketer brands.
You have no idea how much I love this move.
'People's Garden' starts taking shape on National Mall
Showcasing sustainable farming, the Agriculture Department celebrated Earth Day by starting to turn USDA's 6-acre tract on the National Mall into an organic garden.
USDA plans to turn grass, ornamental trees and flowers into an expansive "People's Garden" to demonstrate conservation and growing techniques. There will be a 1,300-square-foot vegetable plot, pollinator gardens, mini-wetlands, green roofs and demonstrations of planting techniques that can reduce stormwater runoff.
Saying USDA plans to be a "center of sustainability," Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan led children of department employees and other visitors in planting corn, squash and beans for a traditional Sioux "three sisters" garden. She also urged USDA offices across the country to start their own gardens.
"It's my first public event at USDA, and it's about community gardening -- isn't that great?" said Merrigan, a longtime organic farming advocate.
.
This simply makes sense on many levels, though it will take a cultural sea-change (in the U.S. at least) to make this become the rule, instead of the exception
Grass Roots Movement
These days, thanks to the growing demand and interest in all things organic, homeowners are rethinking their lawns. Natural and eco-sensitive lawn care is, increasingly, in. Conventional chemicals are out. But it's not just that a natural lawn is better for the environment, kids, and pets. In the long run, it's also cheaper, according to Paul Tukey, a spokesman for SafeLawns.org, a nonprofit organization that promotes natural lawn care.
Turns out, a properly maintained natural lawn is more drought resistant, meaning that owners save money by watering less, and mowing frequency also drops by about 50 percent, he added.
"Even if the organic fertilizer in the first transition year might cost you a little more, when you add up the mowing and water savings plus the gas and electricity to run the pumps and motors, you actually do begin to save money," Tukey said. But here's the real question: How does it look? The short answer is pretty good - if you're willing to wait a season or two.
And for the ecumenical among us...
Buying organic shows solidarity, helps environment, says CRS official
Organic farming that prevents erosion and conserves water gives farmers extra income and helps preserve forests that absorb harmful greenhouse gases, said Jefferson Shriver, an official in the Nicaraguan office of Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops' international relief and development agency.
For Earth Day, April 22, the U.S. bishops are urging Catholics to take action to help slow climate change. By choosing organic and fair-trade items, consumers can "practice solidarity with the products they buy" and help protect the environment, Shriver told Catholic News Service.
"Most people buy (organic products) for health reasons, but the benefits are even greater" in the countries where the products are grown, because organic farming methods promote better land and water use, he said.
Excellent question, excellent discussion.
Green Eggs and Plastic: Why organic food uses so much enviro-unfriendly platic
Long before the creation of Trader Joe's and a Wal-Mart (WMT) organic label, the self-conscious consumer has pondered the most natural of hypocrisies: What's with organic eggs in plastic cartons?
Maybe all-natural and cage-free eggs are more delicate and need that extra flap of protection? Maybe the clear packaging allows for sunlight to shine down on the eggs, causing their greenness to flourish and absorb vitamin E? As organic products expanded in the national market, the questions increased. Does prewashed organic mixed salad really need a box and a sealed bag? How much longer can a cucumber sit in the fridge if it is plastic-wrapped? And the ultimate question: Why does organic food involve so much plastic packaging? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?
Related Reading:
Cheetos Vs. Carrots: (Not) Fighting to Feed Kids Healthy Food
So Why Are Organics Important?
Tweet Tweet Tweet: Get Celsias Headlines on Twitter—Celsiastweets
