When I was first learning about organic food production and consumer values in the 1990s, the organic Twinkie problem was being hotly debated in both the academic and popular presses. Could a Twinkie really be considered organic even if all of the ingredients were USDA certified? Twinkies are, after all, an iconic symbol of our industrialized food system, with ashelf life spanning yearsand the supernatural ability tosurvive a nuclear holocaust(along with cockroaches). While neither of these well-known facts turns out to be true, Twinkies certainly represent the pinnacle of modern food science and mass distribution systems.

But despite those who believe the values associated with organic food should extend beyond the production materials and techniques overseen by the USDA, a growing number of reputable natural food companies are producing what can only be called organic junk food. I have to admit that I, along with many other greenies, am happily eating it up!

Based on anecdotal evidence alone, it appears that as alternative organic brands like Earthbound Farm and Newmans Own continue to gain mainstream traction, a new era of artisan-crafted treats is emerging and many of them are hitting every possible green button at once.A classic example isOscar Williams Gourmet Cotton Candy.

This gourmet spun sugar delight features all of the following green values:

1. Founders With A Story & A Social Mission.The company began as afundraising effort for an HIV outreach program (PASTD.ORG) that the founders set up afterlosing several friends to the disease.We were only planning to sell the product once, but the community loved it so much, that after muchdiscussion we decided to become an official business, founder TashaHolland-Kornegayexplained.

2. Giving A Portion Of Sales To Charity. Oscar WilliamsGourmet Cotton Candy contributes 10% of all sales back into the community, by distributing HIV/AIDS pamphlets and sponsoring educational workshops.

3. All Natural, Vegan & Gluten-Free Products. Their gourmet cotton candy is all-natural, allergen-free and gluten-free. As a result, many of their products are also white so you do not get any unnecessary dyes.Being that my husband and I are both vegans, we wanted to make sure we offered a product that reflected who we were, Tasha explains.

The rest is here:
Organic Junk Food 2.0

December 10, 2014 Sophie Langley

Australias appetite for organic foods at record levels

New categories in the organic sector in Australia have driven record growth in the $1.72 billion industry, according to a biennial industry report from organic certifying group Australian Organic.

The Australian Organic Market Report is a biennial publication commissioned by Australian Organic that track trends in the Australian organic marketplace. This years Report incorporates independent research by Swinburne University of Technology, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Mobium Group.

The organic industry is now valued at over $1.72 billion, representing a 15.4 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2009. Australian Organic said the growth demonstrated that consumption of certified organic food, cosmetics and household products was at a record high in Australia.

The report found that Australia still has the largest area of organic land in the world (22 million hectares). There had been a 53 per cent increase in fully certified organic land area between 2011 and 2014. Australian organic production (farm-gate) value is $508 million, up 18 per cent since 2012.

Growth drivers

Availability of organics in major supermarkets and new independent organic retailers was in part responsible for this growth, according to Australian Organic.

However, an extremely strong export market was also supporting existing farmers and producers as well as encouraging new entrants into the organic arena. Exports of organic products have more than doubled from 2012 to 2014 with the organic export market now worth $350 million.

Growth sectors

Go here to read the rest:
Australias appetite for organic foods at record levels

NW, Washington DC, U.S (PRWEB) December 09, 2014

American entrepreneurs, Nadia Robinson and Louis Bookoff have started a groundbreaking initiative with the distribution of healthy, organic food from their social business, Locals Aquaponics Farm.

Sustainable aquaponics growing system to supply affordable organic food.

Locals allow for everyone to be able to eat organic produce regardless or income or location, and allow for cities to grow smart. Their mission is helping local communities.

The venture combines sensors with technology in a vertical aquaponics growing system to supply a sustainable source of organic produce. The project started on a small scale after years of research and development to meet the growing demand for organic produce that is affordable for the consumer and grown in a transparent and social responsible manner.

This business grew out of a desire to preserve and protect the environment for this and future generations. Researchers and engineers who examined this project have agreed this is a groundbreaking initiative that will lead to help a large number of consumers lead healthier lives.

"Having access to organic food is the best way for them to avoid the supplements and synthetic items like food coloring, preservatives and chemical additives which damage the immune system and cause serious health problems every year, says Mrs. Robinson, CEO of Locals.

A fundraising campaign was recently launched on the crowd funding site, Indiegogo, to raise money to start development and production of organic food and take the company to the next level. The business partners have invested thousands of dollars in the last five years to set up the small scale aquaponics farm and are now ready to take the venture commercial.

With the high-quality organic food produced, the company aims to significantly reduce the cost to the consumer and provide affordable alternatives for them to live healthier lives.

About the owners Nadia Robinson has played vital roles in launching three start-ups prior to Locals. She has degrees in Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises, and has multiple years of greenhouse experience as well as other growing experience. Louis Bookoff is currently majoring in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises and Accounting at the Whitman School of Management. He has a passion for food and has led various marketing campaigns for restaurants and a startup company.

See the rest here:
Media Mails Inc Announces: New initiative will lead to supply affordable organic food

LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) - An all organic produce and grocery store is opening soon in Lufkin. The community will have access to an array of chemical-free fruits and veggies at an affordable price.

"The Organic Store" will hang the open sign on their front door next week. Inside, the shelves will be stocked full of fruits, vegetables, spices, supplements and more.

"Anything that is organic but predominately produce and grocery," said The Organic Store owner, Lynda Smith. "USDA certified organic means that there has not been any pesticides in that soil for 10 years."

Smith started eating organic several years ago after struggling with weight and health problems.

"[I] started looking into it myself and started a co-op," Smith said. The co-op grew and expanded into The Organic Store on N. John Redditt near Lotus Lane in between Red Ball Oxygen and West Side Garage.

Everything will be certified-organic and non-GMO. No natural foods.

Smith said eating organic food has changed her life.

"Since I have been eating organic I haven't been sick in a couple years," Smith said.

And she wants to pass on the organic lifestyle to others.

"I mean it's a business but it is about the people and about the product and providing something to the people that they don't really realize is an option and then there are people that know about it but didn't have any access to it," Smith said.

Read the rest here:
Organic produce and grocery store opening soon in Lufkin