Gluten-free bakery goods, organically grown food and even fresh dog and cat food is catching the publics eye these days and the interest in these products is helping to drive changes at Goodwin and Sons Market in Crestline.

We have been adding organically grown fresh vegetables and fruits to our produce section and the public loves it, said Mike Johnstone, store manager. We started out with just a four-foot section of produce and have expanded that to 12 feet. Weve been expanding our fresh organic line to where we even have a dry rack at the front.

Johnstone said that some of the most popular produce items are organically grown bananas and unique items such as golden beets.

One of his main suppliers is Alberts Organics, the nations leading distributor of quality organically grown fresh produce and perishable items, including meat, dairy, soy products, juices/beverages, and much more.

The golden beets we sell are very popular and have a sweeter taste, he said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consumer demand for organically produced goods continues to show double-digit growth, providing market incentives for U.S. farmers across a broad range of products.

Organic products are now available in nearly 20,000 natural food stores and nearly three-out-of-four conventional grocery stores. Organic sales account for over 4 percent of total U.S. food sales, according to recent industry statistics.

U.S. sales of organic products were an estimated $28.4 billion in 2012and was projected to reach an estimated $35 billion in 2014. Fresh fruits and vegetables have been the top-selling category of organically grown food since the organic food industry started retailing products over three decades ago, and they are still outselling other food categories, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.

Produce accounted for 43 percent of U.S. organic food sales in 2012, followed by dairy (15 percent), packaged/prepared foods (11 percent), beverages (11 percent), bread/grains (9 percent), snack foods (5 percent), meat/fish/poultry (3 percent), and condiments (3 percent).

Our customers really enjoy the idea of taking home fresh organic produce and our need to keep adding to our produce section shows that, Johnstone said.

Also popular these days are gluten-free baked items and gluten-free baking supplies and products.

We now have a section of the store solely devoted to gluten-free items, and we organized it so that these products would all be in one area to make it easier on our customers, he said.

Goodwins also has brought gluten-free into its bakery.

Our specialty baker, Katharine DeClerck, has been adding a number of items, from breads to cookies, to our lineup, Johnstone said. The gluten-free baked goods have been really popular.

The items complement the stores lineup of fresh-squeezed organic juices from the juice bar, next to the coffee bar.

Johnstone also added that the publics interest in organic food extends to the stores lineup of pet food.

Recently Goodwins added a refrigerated display case featuring fresh pet products from Freshpet, a New Jersey-based company.

Packed with vitamins and proteins, our meals offer fresh meats, poultry and vegetables, farmed locally, according to the company. The Freshpet kitchens then thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials. We cook in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best.

Johnstone said that Goodwins will keep adding organic and gluten-free products to the stores lineup because the demand is there.

Its just amazing, he added.

Link:

Goodwin's Adds Organic, Gluten-Free Items - Mountain News

ABU DHABI // A new government programme is making local organic produce not only more readily available in supermarkets around the country but also more affordable in comparison with its more expensive, imported counterpart.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has made a concerted push in recent years to subsidise farming equipment, provide expertise and connect local farmers with supermarkets to help market their products.

On Tuesday, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, launched the programme whereby local produce will be made available in shops around the country.

"Its part of the countrys strategic goal to produce more food and we, of course, need to research new technologies and ways to make organic food a viable option for everyone," said Dr Al Zeyoudi at the opening of a Lulu hypermarket at Mushrif Mall.

Last week, he spoke at the Federal National Council about how his ministry would continue to support the sale of local produce, address the challenges the industry faced and that it soon planned to sign an agreement with Carrefour to market local fruit and vegetables.

Local produce becoming more prevalent includes zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplants. Dr Al Zeyoudi said the ministry had investments in other countries, and dates are being exported to 45 countries.

The idea is to work with farmers across the country using organic, hydroponic and commercially grown produce and support them in getting it into local supermarkets at competitive prices.

The growth of organic farm land in the UAE has gone from 2,360 acres in 2009 to 45,890 acres last year. The ministry also provided farming equipment, including tools for organic and hydroponic farming, at half price.

In some cases, support for the organic and local farmers from the ministry is allowing them to market produce at a price point equal to or lower than imported counterparts as is the case with tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum and cucumber.

"My dream is to have all the organic prices be lower than usual. We want to push nutritious products to the market," said Rashid Al Kitbi, whos been growing organic for the last 10 years on his farm.

He said that not much research has been done on the effects of chemicals used in modern pesticides and inorganic farming supplements, to the extent that being safe and eating organic not only provides more nutrition but also a safeguard against diseases.

Mr Al Kitbi teaches workshops around the UAE on ways in which urban farming can be done and ways to promote healthy diets in the country.

"Look at all these modern diseases, cancer and what not. It needs to be researched but, when you eat food the way it was intended, you feel it inside that youre doing something good for your body and good for your family," said the Emirati.

The organic UAE brand, which is mostly in line with European organic standards, is now available in Union Co-Ops around the country and in Lulu Hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Tawfik Ibrahim, executive chef of Yadoos House, an Emirati restaurant, said that organic produce is sometimes at a reasonable price point that allows him to buy local.

"It honestly all depends but, whenever we can, we try to buy local as long as the quality is up to par. Of course sometimes, what we need is not available but we try as much as we can," he said.

Cooking Emirati dishes requires fresh ingredients but that is not an issue when buying local.

"Thats whats nice about buying local, you dont have to worry about freshness. But when it comes to organic, sometimes its too expensive," he said.

More supermarkets will soon be involved in the programme, allowing for more local products to be sold in those shops, said a spokesman from the ministry.

nalwasmi@thenational.ae

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UAE Government backs local organic produce - The National

Mayan farmers inthe states of Campeche and Quintana Roo have become players inthe global chewing gum market with their unique and organic product.

Sold under the brand Chicza Organic Rainforest Gum, the biodegradable chewing gum was launchedin 2009 and has since expanded to 26 European countries, Canada and the United States.

Introduced to the global market during BioFach 2009, the worlds largest trade fairfor organic food, Chicza was chosen as one of the top 20 original products.

Chicza is madefrom raw latex obtained from the sustainable harvestof the chicozapote tree by Consorcio Chiclero, an umbrella cooperativethat brings together 40 groupsrepresenting some 2,000 small producers from the two southeastern states.

The cooperativeprovidesgum producers with social security, scholarships and other benefits, improving the quality of life of their families.

The chicozapote, or Manilkara zapota, trees from which the latex is taken are located in a 1.3-million-hectare region of rainforest with organic certification.

Chicza chewing gum is produced in Campeche and Quintana Roo. (PHOTO: chicza.com.uk)

The cooperative produces 40 tonnes of flavored chewing gum annually, whilean additional 100 tonnes of raw gum are exported every year to Japan and Singapore, which have been buying Campeche and Quintana Roo gum for over 100years.

The processed gum comes in fiveflavors, lime, cinnamon, mint, spearmint and mixed berry.

With officesin Quintana Roo and the United Kingdom, Consorcio Chiclero oversees all stages of the production chain, from cultivation to distribution and exporting the finished product.

CEO Manuel Alderete Terrazas saysChicza is proof that the privatesector doesnt have to be at odds with the environment.

Source: mexiconewsdaily.com

Link:

Mayan chewing gum penetrates global organic-foods market - The Yucatan Times

By: Danielle Pucillo

Its not uncommon to hear people bragging about the fact that they only eat organic food. But what benefits does eating organic really have? This is something I ponder every time I step into a Whole Foods Market and see customers piling their carts high with organic brownies, cheese and frozen burritos. When you peel off the organic label and look at the nutritional facts, these foods are not any healthier than their conventional counterparts.

Any meat and poultry considered organic does not contain growth hormones and antibiotics. This is all good and plenty, but there seems to be a common misconception about many of these foods: apparently eating anything labeled organic automatically means its healthier than conventional foods.

When people go on a health kick, the first instinct is to look towards any food besides the staple junk foods. But it seems that its an increasingly common practice to replace the conventional junk food with organic junk food, such as organic Oreo cookies, Kraft macaroni and cheese and toaster pastries. Doing minimal research and simply throwing food into your cart that has an organic label is not enough to lose weight or be healthy. Everyone has different nutritional needs, and we all have an individual chemistry that affects how our bodies process the food we eat. Organic food may be free of pesticides and antibiotics, but it doesnt have any less fat, sugar or carbohydrates than conventional food.

Its been proven by researchers at Stanford that there is little to no evidence that proves organic food has higher nutritional value or fewer health risks. What determines if produce and livestock are healthy is the quality of farming practices involved with their production. For instance, vegetables grown in nutrient-poor soil or in unsanitary conditions are going to have a higher risk of causing health problems. But conventional foods have been proven to pose no more or fewer health risks than organic food.

Theres a difference between a trending fad started by a celebrity *cough* Gwyneth Paltrow and the cold hard facts derived from research done by actual scientists. Processed food can still be classified as organic, as long as there are organic ingredients. So sodas, macaroni and cheese, french fries, ice cream, cookies, chips and anything covered in chocolate can be organic. You can shovel as much organic macaroni and cheese onto your plate as you like; your arteries will likely hold it against you later in life. So do yourself a favor. Before you spend that $15 on an organic bean burrito, think about your options. You might as well pick up some chicken nuggets and call it a day.

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Organic does not equal healthy - The Current - The Student-Run Newspaper of Nova Southeastern University. (satire) (registration)

Despite the rapid growth of the organic food industry, U.S. production lags significantly behind consumer demand. A new report from the Environmental Working Group shows that with modest reforms to existing programs, Congress could help growers transition away from farming that relies on chemical pesticides and expand the acreage dedicated to organic agriculture.

Between 1997 and 2015, sales in the organic sector soared from $3.7 billion to more than $43 billion. This double-digit growth nearly every year makes the organic sector one of the fastest growing segments of the food industry. Major retailers such as Costco report that they can't get enough organic food to meet customer demand.

Yet the gap between supply and demand means many American organic food companies have to rely on foreign suppliers for staples like soybeans, corn and ricedemand that could be met by domestic producers.

"Driven in large part by the multiple environmental and health benefits, Americans' appetites for organic food is seemingly insatiable," said Colin O'Neil, Environmental Working Group's agriculture policy director and author of the report. "The current organic trade deficit presents Congress with a unique chance to expand market opportunities for U.S. producers, while also benefitting consumers, food companies and the environment. With modest reforms to current programs in the next farm bill, Congress can reduce barriers to farmers who want to transition organic methods at no additional cost."

John Paneno, vice president of sourcing for Amy's Kitchen Inc. of Petaluma, California, said increasing the U.S. supply of organic food is essential.

"Amy's continues to see strong consumer growth for our organic products," said Paneno. "We need more programs that help our farmers transition into organic farming so that we can source the ingredients we need domestically and create new jobs for our rural communities."

The Environmental Working Group's report details how Congress can play a role in better positioning American farmers to meet the demand for organics, by increasing the number of organic farms and the amount of organic acreage. Congress has already begun discussing the 2018 Farm Bill, which O'Neil said should include the following modest changes:

"The organic food industry is now one of the fastest growing, most dynamic parts of the food sector, creating tens of thousands of jobs and producing in-demand foods for millions of Americans" said O'Neil. "Members of Congress should take any simple steps they can to reduce barriers to transition and help expand the organic farm footprint here in the U.S."

The rest is here:

How to Meet the Soaring Demand for Organic Food - EcoWatch

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By Sam Bess

As a professionally trained media spokesperson, I am able to translate the latest nutrition research into simple messages that consumers can understand. So says Kim Larson in a March 4 column in The Herald.

What are her media trained credentials? What is it about nutrition research that needs translation? Lets take a look at this article. The headline begins on a negative note followed by another negative comment that there are slight differences in nutrition not enough to support a purchasing decision in favor of organics. Strike two against organics. Who wouldnt prefer as she later points out food produced without synthetic pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, irradiation and genetically engineered methods. Not to mention food with systemically invasive herbicides and pesticides.

Dairy products are also suspect because of the use of antibiotics. This subject would lead one into the deceptive marketing practices by corporations wanting to make their foods look and sound like they are better than they are. Our government regulations are at fault for this problem.

Next the article enjoins us to believe that Choosing organic or conventionally grown foods is a personal choice. Just what are conventionally grown foods? Are they the ones labeled or marketed as natural? The article doesnt translate that nor simplify the information.

Current levels of pesticide residue are safe and far below what is deemed hazardous for environmental or human health. Really? How many years of residue ingestion are needed before hazardous buildup should be expected? Were pesticides systemic or topically applied?

The same can be asked about herbicides. Some herbicides are systemic and continue killing and pesticides, too, well into the growing and fruiting period. Simple washing will not remove those.

Although the author appears not to be opposed to organics, there seems to be no emphasis upon the real benefits of the extra dollar spent to avoid contaminants, and in support of the organics industry mission to feed us with safety assured.

Sam Bess lives in Stanwood.

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Column played down importance of organic food - The Daily Herald

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY JEAN LIOU Tubi Moloi (R) sellls organic vegetables at the Arts on Main Market on January 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Arts on Main goods market is part of a new trend focusing on urban rejuvination in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa. AFP PHOTO/STEFAN HEUNIS (Photo credit should read STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)STEFAN HEUNIS AFP/Getty Images

The organic industry has an army of powerful, diverse microphones. Food blogs , celebrities, and nutritionists all routinely extol the benefits of eating organic fruits and vegetables.

But a new study published in Science Advances paints a more complicated picture. While organic produce is likely marginally healthier to eat and, in some ways, more sustainable to grow, there are also downsides.

For starters, organic fruits and vegetables typically cost more than their conventional equivalents. To be certified as organic, a distinction set by the United States Department of Agriculture, farmers must meet specific criteria, including growing produce without the use of genetic engineering and chemical inputs. Without these methods, the growing process typically requires more manual labor, time, and money, a cost that is passed down to consumers.

And while its true that in many ways, organic is more sustainable than conventional farmingstudies have shown organic farms support more biodiversity and, because they dont use pesticides, are safer places to work for farm handswhen it comes to environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions and water nitrogen loss, the comparison gets murkier. Organic farms produce less emissions per acreage. However, because they are barred from using genetic engineering, pesticides, and other methods that increase efficiency, organic farms also produce an estimated 19% to 25% less yield than conventional farms. While there isnt a whole lot research on the topic, the few studies that do exist suggest green gas emissions and water loss might actually be higher on organic farms, on a per unit basis, says study author Verena Seurfert. If we examine conventional and organic farms and compare them in terms of units of food produced, than organic doesnt fare so well.

In addition, while organic produce is likely more nutritious than conventional fruit and vegetables, theres not a lot of evidence to support the claim that these often marginal discrepancies impact consumer health, Seurfert says. The same is true for pesticide residue: in developed countries, where pesticide use is tightly regulated, theres no scientific consensus on how these often marginal difference impact human health.

Still, Seurfert stresses that if you can afford to eat organic, you should do so. Organic farms provide safer work environments for workers, plus they support great biodiversity. The real takeaway from her study is not that organic is bad but that the practice needs more study to in order to increase yield without lowering sustainability.

But if you cant afford to buy organic produce, dont stress too much. Particularly from a nutritional perspective, the most important factor is that youre eating enough fruits and vegetablesorganic or not.

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Organic Farms Might Be Slightly Worse for Climate Change - Fortune

Is Organic Food Really Better?

A new report published in the journal Science Advances suggests that, while there certainly are some benefits to choosing organic foods, there are also some drawbacks.

Researchers evaluated existing information about organic farming for criteria such as crop yield, impact on climate change, farmer livelihood, and consumer health. They found that the environmental benefits of organic farming are offset by lower crop yields, which are typically 19 to 25 percent lower than those produced through conventional farming methods.

Organic foods are grown without pesticidesand thats a good thingbut organic farms use more landand thats harmful to the planet overall. According to researchers, land conversion for agriculture leads to habitat loss and contributes to climate change.

Image Credit: Thinkstock

Sourced from: FOX News

A new arthritis treatmentsynthetic cartilage implantscould be life-changing for the growing number of people who suffer from joint pain and limited mobility. The implants, which are made from the same material as contact lenses, are already being used in some patients in Europe and the U.S.

Arthritis affects more than 54 million people in the United Statesmostly womenand synthetic cartilage could one day be a permanent solution, reducing the need for pain medication and other therapies that are ineffective for many patients.

So far, the implants have been used in knee and thumb joints in Europe, and big toe joints in the U.S. According to researchers, synthetic cartilage has been shown to reduce pain in 91 percent of patients and significantly improve mobility.

Image Credit: Thinkstock

Sourced from: NBC News

Beneficial bacteria may help reverse a cycle of inflammation found in certain inflammatory bowel diseases, researchers recently reported in the journal Nature Immunology. The most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are Crohns and ulcerative colitis.

According to researchers, inflammation in the GI tract develops when an inhibitor called NLRP12 is not present. This inflammation then upsets the balance of bacteria in the digestive system further, leading to an abundance of harmful bacteria and lower levels of beneficial bacteria and creating even more inflammation. Adding beneficial bacteria back to the digestive tract can help end this cycleperhaps leading to a new treatment for IBD.

Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis often have a negative impact on quality of life and can increase colorectal cancer risk. Symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. Inflammatory bowel diseases are caused by an abnormal immune system reaction to food, bacteria, and other substances found in the intestines.

Image Credit: Thinkstock

Sourced from: ScienceDaily

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Is Organic Food Really Better? - HealthCentral.com

EWG Report: How Congress Can Help Farmers Meet Soaring ... Environmental Working Group Despite the rapid growth of the organic food industry, U.S. production lags significantly behind consumer demand. A new report from EWG shows that with ... and more »

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EWG Report: How Congress Can Help Farmers Meet Soaring ... - Environmental Working Group

Dive Brief:

Natural Grocers is not the first retailer to try and create a niche in the grocery space by selling only organic produce. This new campaign could help the retailer broaden its shopper base by giving consumers a visual representation of what they are paying for.

Consumer demand for organically produced goods is increasing consistently, with double-digit growth over the last year, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Numerous studies in recent years have shown an increase in consumer interestin both natural and organically produced food because of concerns regarding health, the environment and animal welfare.

Still, many consumers still have no idea what "organic" actually means, and believe that organic products are simply healthier for them than traditional options. By making the differences between organic and non-organic foods abundantly clear to their shoppers, Natural Grocers hopes to convert consumers who may be hesitant to shell out extra money for more premium offerings. This also bolsters the grocer's image in the process, and could encourage brand loyalty and drive more traffic to its stores. Additionally, it provides a public service by doing much-needed education.

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Natural Grocers rolls out new pro-organic campaign - Food Dive