March 2nd, 2011

Since the Obama Administration approved the unregulated planting of genetically engineered alfalfa (and sugar beets) last month, the organic community has been organizing against the deregulation.

Organic farmers and food producers fear for their very livelihood — and for the integrity of the organic food supply, because GE (or GM, genetically modified) alfalfa could cross-pollinate with nearby organic crops, causing them to lose their purity and their ability to be organically certified.

Here are some of the actions that consumers concerned about losing access to organic foods could join:

[Read more →]

February 1st, 2011

Organic farmers, food companies and advocacy groups have united to oppose the federal government’s de-regulation of Monsanto’s genetically engineered alfalfa.

A new 20-group coalition announced Tuesday that it also would be opposing the regulatory release of other types of GE (also known as GM or genetically modified) crops expected in the coming months if the USDA approves the unrestricted planting of GE sugar beets, corn and soy crops.

These crops have been engineered predominantly by Monsanto to resist specific Monsanto-created pesticides, including the “Roundup Ready” alfalfa, which was approved for unrestricted planting by the USDA last week.

Organic farmers fear the spread of GE crops because they’re dependent on pesticides, which harm the soil and waterways, and because they can contaminate non=GE crops via cross-pollination. When GE crops invade organically raised fields, they destroy the purity of organic row crops and produce and can cost a farmer his organic certification.

[Read more →]

April 23rd, 2010

(Photo: Green Right Now)

U.S. sales of organic products continued to grow during 2009 despite the distressed state of the economy, the Organic Trade Association announced yesterday. Organic product sales in 2009 grew by 5.3 percent overall, to reach $26.6 billion. Of that figure, $24.8 billion represented organic food and the remaining $1.8 billion were sales of organic non-foods, according to the OTA’s 2010 Organic Industry Survey.

[Read more →]

May 4th, 2009

From Green Right Now Reports

U.S. sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, a 17.1 percent over 2007 sales, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced today. Organic food sales now account for approximately 3.5 percent of all food product sales in the United States.

The sales results were announced as part of the 2009 Organic Industry Survey, conducted by Lieberman Research Group on behalf of OTA. The survey measured the growth of U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages as well as non-food categories such as organic fibers, personal care products and pet foods during 2008.

[Read more →]