What Does Organic Really Mean?

Why Organic?

According to a 1986 survey by Agriculture Canada, two of the main reasons farmers choose organic production methods is for "the health of their family" and because "it is better for the soil". Farmers are concerned about the environment and issues such as well contamination, river and lake pollution, and soil degradation. Manufacturing, transportation and pollution are threats, be they from accidental causes or from normal use. There is also a concern to reduce energy use in agriculture, since many farms chemicals have energy intensive manufacturing processes that rely heavily on
the use of fossil fuels. Some farmers view organic farming as part of the solution. Organic farmers generally find their new methods and farming operations to be profitable and rewarding.

"Certified Organic"

Certified organic is a registered trademark of the Organic Crop
Improvement Association (Ontario) known as OCIA. A number of
associations in Canada have standards and inspect farms to validate that certified organic farms meet their associations standards. These standards have minor differences from one association to another and most are based on the standards as set by the Organic Food Producers Association of North America (OFPANA), and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Products from certified organic farms are frequently labelled and promoted as certified organic produce. In the USA, the Organic foods Act of 1990 established a minimum standard for the certification of organic food. In Canada, there are currently negotiations to establish similar standards for a Canada Organic designation.

For the full article: The Old Kitchen Cupboard Ltd Natural & Organic Foods

in the news.

Farmers markets keep growing
Demand outpaces available space

By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL
P-I REPORTER

Neighborhood farmers markets throughout the Puget Sound area expect higher numbers than ever this year amid growing popularity and support of locally produced food, market managers say.

"The increases in the number of people coming to farmers markets is just phenomenal," said Judy Kirkhuff, market master for Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets, a nonprofit group that oversees four markets. "I'm awestruck most of the time."

The Ballard Farmers Market, for example, drew 5,600 people on a recent sunny Sunday, compared with 3,000 at the same time last year, Kirkhuff said.

The popularity of farmers markets has prompted support from government, businesses and developers, neighborhood organizations and schools, managers say. Whereas Seattle started with just a few markets a decade ago, it now has 13 including Pike Place Market, and there's more neighborhood demand than markets can absorb.

"There is not a neighborhood in the city that would not want its own farmers market," said Sally Clark, chairwoman of the City Council's Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee.

To read the rest of the article, check out this link: Full Article

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