Maybe youve heard: A mutated form of parasitic mushrooms called cordyceps is converting billions of humans into hyper-scary, hyper-athletic and hyper-contagious zombies.

Theyre rampaging across the planet, devouring faces and spewing infectious spores.

Thats the fiction at the heart of The Last of Us, a smash hit series on HBO, which is built on scientific fact and then layered with creative liberties and a mass-panic apocalypse.

IRL, cordyceps actually do invade insect hosts after a spore lands on them and deploys its mycelia tendrils. Once the bug is paralyzed or dead, the fungus erupts out of the insect with a fruiting body (what most know as a mushroom), spreading its spores to other insects of the same species.

Like the shows heroes, Joel and Ellie, Watsonville-based chef Dory Ford is one step ahead of the mushroom zombies, which keeps with a theme.

When he captained Monterey Bay Aquariums kitchens, he was ahead of the curve on smart and local sourcing before sustainability was a buzzword. When he moved on to school projects, he helped reinvent student nutrition. When he launched a catering juggernaut called Aqua Terra Culinary, he refinedand even redefinedhow organic food, chic clients and limited food waste could harmonize.

Before millions of HBO viewers started Googling cordyceps, he was well into a fund-raising campaign to begin cultivating them while plunging into mycelium science lessons from other species (hence the name of his new farm-laboratory, MycoSci).

Ford laughs when he first learns that the mushroom hes focused on became the demon protagonist of a deliriously popular show inspired by a video game.

Yeah, we like to get ahead of the game, he says.

Mushrooms like the dark. So maybe this saga should start in a dark place.

When COVID brought its own sort of apocalypse, Ford was forced to close his restaurant and catering operation. The professional passion of his last three and a half decades went poof. It would be fair to say he fell into a zombie-like state.

My entire business modelmy entire lifes workdisappeared, he says. I was not well. What was I gonna do? I cant sit at home and watch Netflix. I have ADHD; my leg bounces up and down.

A psychedelic savior came into the picture organically. A loved one told Ford about 1) her hope to get off prescription antidepressants and 2) her curiosity in psilocybin-based treatments, i.e., the increasingly widespread (and increasingly legal) use of so-called magic mushrooms to relieve everything from anorexia nervosa to post-traumatic stress.

He offered to help and, after some successful therapeutic doses, went looking for more medicine.

COVID-related supply chain chaos, however, meant there was no psilocybin to be found easily. Ford ordered a grow box online and began experimenting with cultivation for personal use.

He deflects any notion of a lightbulb moment; instead, he simply applies his problem-solving skills. Still, that led to some lightbulb-like revelations.

As a chef, you spend years dealing with something caught, killed, picked or cut, he says. By the time you get something, its at the end of its lifespan.

His new task presented a different paradigm.

When you get involved from a farming perspective, youre creating life, he says. The instructions are a little different. You watch something grow, and you give them reverence.

Theres enlightenment that came with that for me: Im OK with things. Im not going to crawl out of my skin. It allows you to carry on, to touch base with like-minded people, to find out youre not alone.

Mycelium author, researcher, entrepreneur and author Paul Stamets likes to talk about how mushrooms can rescue the planet, which sounds hyperbolic but might be an undersell.

He writes and talks about how mycelium can decompose toxic and biological waste and prevent pests like ants and termites from destroying homes and crops. (Stamets has eight patents to prove it.)

He spotlights how it can convert cellulose into usable fuel and how it filters pathogens from polluted streams. He notes how it resists bacteria, which is why many antibiotics can be found in mushrooms. He observes how it can repair habitat post-natural disasters, perhaps on a Last of Us level.

His TED Talk on life-saving mycelium mojo has more than 8.6 million views. The 17-minute talk is fast-moving and fascinating and merits viewing for Good Times readersas does the spellbinding 2019 Fantastic Fungi: The Magic Beneath Us documentary he stars in. Both videos deserve a spot in soil science curriculums everywhere.

I love a challenge, he says to start the TED Talk, and saving the Earth is probably a good one.

Last week, another TED Talk, Could fungi actually be the key to humanitys survival? circulated on TED Recommends mailing lists.

Maybe for the future, if we can learn from fungi, says mushroom researcher and restaurateur David Andrew Quist, we might be able to transform ourselves and our society in ways that are in greater harmony with nature.

The short answer, for Ford is, Hell yes, we can.

One way to get there is by way of taste buds and tummies. So far, this look at shroom superpowers doesnt include their flavor flex. Its a pause to salute all the healthy, tasty and umami-rich elements available from enoki and oyster, morel and maitake, shiitake and porcini and cremini. But not much is known about cordyceps taste profile, at least among most Americans.

That was a theme when Ford hosted his first public tasting event in three years at Elroys Fine Foods in Monterey last week, which featured live mushroom packs of cordyceps. According to Ford, some of the most common reactions are: What is that? Can I touch it? and Thats delicious!

People left surprised and intrigued, he adds.

The last reaction tracks back to the flavor front: What he prepared reflects cordyceps versatility and depth. (As do dishes from MycoSci partner chef Colin Moody, whos crafted everything from cordyceps arancini to cordyceps maple ice cream with cordyceps streusel.)

On April 28, Ford sauted the cordys for 30 seconds, then laid the brilliant orange against a soba noodle salad background of seasonal greens like kale, snap peas, asparagus, baby zucchini, green beans and scallions with a bit of radish, sweet corn for balance and a miso dressingspiked with cordyceps powder.

It does really well with all those Asian-leaning notes, he says.

That makes sense: As opposed to most Westerners, traditional Chinese medicine practitionersand eatersknow cordyceps well, partly because the fungi hail from the high mountains of China, where they grow wild on caterpillars. (MycoSci raises them on a proprietaryand sterilizedsilkworm larvae substrate.)

Their historic applications include combating kidney disease, fatigue and dipping sex drive. Some studies have shown that they offer antioxidants, slow tumors, aid people with type 2 diabetes, soften the effects of arrhythmia heart conditions and slow down inflammation.

In my test run with MycoScis debut productconvenient snack packs of seasoned cordycepsI felt more energized for an afternoon workoutanecdotal evidence, yes, but an experience that syncs with reports that cordyceps improve blood flow.

Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has solid knowledge of the mushroom. It describes a range of specifics on its portal for holistic, alternative and medicinal methods (aka Whole Health).

It is sometimes considered an adaptogen due to its immune-boosting properties Whole Health reports. Small studies have shown and can be beneficial in renal damage for improving quality of life and cellular immunity after chemotherapy treatment, and for supporting liver function for those with hepatitis B.

Cordyceps possess other charms. To start, theyre not a Schedule I controlled substance by the federal government (as is psilocybin). MycoSci stands ready to pivot at least in part toward medicinal psychedelics if and when regulations change When they catch up, as Ford saysbut for now, its the little-mushroom-that-could theyre focused on.

More good news: Cordyceps are relatively easy to grow and fetch a premium price of over $25/pound. The quality of what MycoSci is producing proves impressive enough that, pending negotiations, Far West Fungi is open to buying their entire supply.

The little Cheeto-looking fungi also catch the eye, which helps their visibility at independent grocers where MycoSci mushrooms are increasingly available.

In addition to Elroys, they appear at Far Wests spots in Santa Cruz, the San Francisco Ferry Building and Rainbow Grocery Cooperative in S.F. In MycoSci, Far West CEO Ian Garrone finds a fitting partner for what his family business wants to do.

Were always trying to bring in local, sustainable agriculture, especially with mushrooms, and not a lot of people are doing cordyceps, he says, noting he sells 100 pounds a week, previously all from China. It allows us to support local, provide more niche organic artisan mushrooms, get oxygen in your systemand it has great flavor, a little sweetness, something you can use in food and as a potent medicinal.

MycoScis one full-time employee is grow director Michael Bandy, who studied ecology and evolution at UCSC. He then started cultivating mushrooms in his basement before developing a full-send fungi farm in a 4,500-square-foot facility.

His main charge currently: scaling the cordyceps cultivation effort by tweaking light levels, substrate amounts and more. Hes looking at what he calls a wide spectrum of potential nutrient ingredients, all veganthink nutritional yeast, spirulina and kelp, among many others.

The plan sounds good overall: working on optimizing life force with mindfulness.

Operating and processing as efficiently as possible, he says.

Hes audibly stoked by the challenge and is excited to apply his experience in extractions, tinctures and cultivation, using fancy tools like rotary evaporators and high-precision liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry usually reserved for the likes of pharmaceutical and forensic laboratories.

But as much as anything, he sounds most eager about advancing understanding of a range of shroom species, which gets at the big-picture thoughts running through the mycelium minds of Stamets and Ford.

Bandy articulates a vision of elevating the food and supplement industry in the United States by using science to inform growing and extraction practices and product development, which sounds cutting edge but isnt exactly. That was how many food systems worked before yield and timing took precedence over nutrition and quality.

With our analytical tools, we can learn to grow our mushrooms in a way that will maximize beneficial compounds and nutritional density, he says. This is not new technology. It canand shouldbe applied to our entire ag system.

Put differently: Sleep peacefully, free of zombie-stalked nightmares, knowing the mushrooms will not create the next apocalypse.

Its the mushrooms that will prevent it.

More at mycosci.com. The cordyceps-soba noodle-salad recipe is available at instagram.com/myco.sci

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Upstart Mushroom Farm MycoSci is Growing Big Ideas in ... - Good Times

If Earth Day is all about the environment and ecology you know, healthy organic food? another of Santa Barbaras long-running family-oriented festivals takes an altogether different tack: were talking corn dogs and cotton candy. Were also talking farming, enthralling exhibits, and a full focus on fun. Yes, its the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo, also back in full force for the five-day festival, April 26-30. There will be two stages of non-stop music and performances, including perennially popular magician Frank Thurston and hypnotist James Kellogg, Jr. each of whom will roll out their act a dozen times over the span of the fair. This years main attraction may well be motocross superstar Adam Jones, the 2007 X Games Los Angeles Freestyle Gold Medalist.

Of course, most kids and teens will tend to veer toward the carnival midway, which this year boasts more than 30 rides and attractions, including such scream yourself hoarse diversions as Super Shot Drop Tower, Mega Flip, and something called Turbo Speed (which requires 10 tickets, twice as many as any other ride), along with old chestnuts like the Tilt-a-Whirl which subject graced Bruce Springsteens second album about half a century ago on his. Visit https://earlwarren.com/fair-and-expo for info and tickets.

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Furry Critters, Fat-Filled Food, and Fabulous Fun at the Fair & Expo ... - Montecito Journal

Moms have a special place at Natural Grocers. The company was co-founded by Margaret Isely an enthusiastic, encouraging mother, who embodied genuine care for her family, community and employees (lovingly referred to as "Crew").

Margaret's quest for health began in 1955. Shortly after the birth of Margaret and Philip Isely's second child, she became ill. When conventional medicine did not provide adequate relief, Margaret turned to the Nutrition Education mavericks of the time. With the implementation of eating nutrient-dense, natural foods and taking dietary supplements, she saw a remarkable improvement in her health. This became the foundation for a dream: that everyone should be able to afford to support their nutritional health and live in a healthy, regenerating environment.

Margaret's vision lives on as Natural Grocers seeks to empower healthier communities through nutrition education, access to organic and natural products and world-class customer service in what has grown to 166 stores in 21 states.

MOTHER'S DAY DEALS FROM NATURAL GROCERS

Natural Grocers invites customers to celebrate and pamper moms, while maximizing their dollars, this May.

April 28 May 20: Shoppers can save ongroceries, gifts and more.[i]

May 12 14: Save even more with special Mother's Day weekend sales.[iii] With savings up to 38% off, customers can treat mom without burdening their budgets.

{N}POWER FAMILY PERKS

Members of {N}power, Natural Grocers' free loyalty program, will have access to additional Mother's Day promotions on groceries and gifts throughout the store, including:

RECIPES OF THE MONTH

For those looking for delicious, healthy recipes that celebrate the flavors of spring, but skip the fuss, look no further. From breakfast to dessert (including their No-bake Strawberry Lemon Tartlets), the Nutrition Education Department at Natural Grocers has you covered for Mother's Day and beyond.

GIFT OF NUTRITIONAL COACHING + $5 COUPON

For those looking for one more gift idea for mom, (or themselves) Natural Grocers invites its customers to book a FREE, one-hour in-person, nutritional health coaching session and earn a $5 Natural Grocers coupon.[vii]

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 166 stores in 21 states. Visit http://www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store locations.

[i]Unless otherwise noted, offers are available only from 4/28/23 to 5/20/23 and are redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at participating stores. Quantity limited to stock on hand, no rainchecks. Unless otherwise noted, all discounts are on regular prices, cannot be redeemed for store credit or cash, or combined with other offers. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reservesthe right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

[ii] No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase chances to win. Open only to legal residents, 18 years or older, of the following states: AZ, AR, CO, ID, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes starts on 4/28/23 and ends on 5/20/23. Natural Grocers employees, including members of their households, are not eligible for this offer. For official rules and complete details, visit http://www.naturalgrocers.com/sweepstakes. Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc

[iii]Offers are available 5/12/23 to 5/14/23 for in-store customer purchases at participating Natural Grocers stores. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rainchecks. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

[iv] Offer available only to registered {N}powermembers and are subject to program terms and privacy policy available at http://www.naturalgrocers.com/npower. Offer valid 5/12/23 through 5/14/23. Limit 1 per {N}power account. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rainchecks. Natural Grocers' loyalty programis free to join and offers exclusive discounts, digital coupons, rewards benefits, and other members-only features. To join {N}power, visit http://www.naturalgrocers.com/join or text 'organic' to 72345.

[v] Offer only valid 5/12/23 to 5/14/23 to registered {N}power members at participating Natural Grocers stores. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rainchecks. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

[vi]Enter phone number at checkout to redeem. Offer is available to registered {N}power members only. Under price reflects 1/2 dozen eggs, 1/2 package of Natural Grocers Brand Organic Bread and 1/3 bottle of Natural Grocers Brand Maple Syrup 8oz. Offer ends 5/31/23 and is redeemable only for in-store purchases at participating Natural Grocers stores. Pricing subject to change without notice. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors.

[vii]No purchase necessary. Coupon is redeemable only for in-store purchases at participating Natural Grocers stores. Promotion subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the rightto correct errors.Void where prohibited by law. Minimum$5purchase required.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.

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Celebrate Mother's Day with Natural Grocers - PR Newswire

Nearly every year since 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released two lists surrounding pesticide use in produce. The first is the ominously titled Dirty Dozen, and the second is the more positive-sounding Clean Fifteen. Just recently, the nonprofit, which claims to help individuals live their healthiest life, delivered its 2023 versions of these lists. But what exactly is the purpose behind them? And how closely should we pay attention to the findings?

With its Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce, the EWG claims its goal is to educate the public about pesticides on popular fruits and vegetables. This, it notes, is so that consumers can make the best decisions for their families when navigating the produce section of their grocery stores.

The guide always includes two lists: the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. Based on produce tested by the USDA and the FDA, the first aims to inform consumers about the non-organic fruits and vegetables that have the highest levels of pesticide contamination. And the second list details the fruit and vegetables that have the lowest levels.

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The 2023 Dirty Dozen list isnt that dissimilar from 2022s version, only this time it also features blueberries and green beans in the number 11 and number 12 spots respectively, instead of celery and tomatoes.

Strawberries and spinach are in the top spot once again and are followed by kale, collard, and mustard greens, which all feature in third place. The rest of the producenectarines, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, cherries, peaches, and pearshave shuffled places a little, but all were on the list last year.

According to the EWG, 210 pesticides were found on all of these items. All of the produce on the Dirty Dozen had at least one sample with at least 13 different pesticides, it notes. Some had as many as many as 23.

Again, the Clean Fifteen list isnt that dissimilar from last year, only this time it features carrots instead of sweet potatoes in the number 15 spot. This year, sweet potatoes have moved up to number 13, and watermelon is at number 14. Avocados are at the top, followed by sweet corn, pineapple, onions, papaya, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew melon, kiwi, cabbage, mushrooms, and mangos.

Almost 65 percent of Clean Fifteen fruit and vegetable samples had no detectable pesticide residues, notes EWG.

According to the EWG, consumers need to know the annual Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists because pesticides, which are substances that help to keep pests away from crops, are toxic by design and exposure to them can lead to a higher risk of chronic disease, like cancer.

Based on this, the EWG recommends that for those fruits and vegetables that are on the Dirty Dozen list, consumers look for organic produce alternatives, which are grown in a farming system that aims to avoid the use of man-made fertilizers and pesticides, instead.

However, while research does suggest that pesticide exposure is toxic in high doses, many experts also claim that consumers shouldnt be too concerned about cancer risk when it comes to pesticide traces on non-organic fruit and vegetables.

In terms of cancer prevention, we dont have any conclusive evidence or research findings showing that eating non-organic fruits and vegetables increases your cancer risk or that eating organic foods reduces that risk, Candice Schreiber, RD, CSO, LD, told The James at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, in October 2022.

Schreiber also notes that organic foods can also contain pesticide residue. This is because organic farming does sometimes use natural pesticides to keep pests away from crops. But again, many experts maintain this isnt something to worry about.

Potential residues on either conventional or organic produce are in [tiny] amounts that are not linked to any adverse health effects, Tamika Sims, PhD, of the science-based nonprofit International Food Information Council, told Healthline in 2020.

The US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service has issued reports confirming that overall pesticide chemical residues found on foods are at levels below the tolerances established by the US Environmental Protection Agency and do not pose a safety concern, she added.

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While many people would like to shop for organic foods to limit pesticide exposure, this isnt accessible to everyone. This is because organic food is typically more expensive than non-organic food, but also because its not always readily available either.

According to some estimates, around 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts in the US. These are regions where people (disproportionately, people of color) must travel more than one mile to reach a supermarket. There are usually high concentrations of fast-food restaurants in these areas, but farmers markets are nonexistent.

But, in circumstances where people cant access organic options, fearmongering around pesticide use on non-organic fruits and vegetables can dissuade people from attempting to eat produce altogether, say many dieticians, and this is incredibly damaging to health. Both organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Many people may worry about eating produce that isnt organically farmed and ultimately eat less of it over the long run if organic produce isnt readily accessible, Crystal Karges, RDN, told Healthline. Feeling stress or fear around certain foods or farming practices takes the joy away from eating and can potentially prevent people from consuming foods that would be beneficial to their diet.

The bottom line is, if youre worried about pesticide use and organic options are available and accessible to you, then go ahead and follow the EWGs listings. But if this isnt an option, remember that eating fruits and vegetables is still vital for good health, organic or non-organic.

Simply follow the advice of dietitians and health experts and choose the fruits and vegetables that you enjoy that are affordable and accessible for you and your family, Sylvia Klinger, DBA, MS, RD, told The Packer. But choose to eat more every day for better health and a longer life.

Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.

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EWG's 2023 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists Are Here. How ... - VegNews

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. May 1, 2023 Today, Nevada County Supervisor Hoek and staff broke ground on the McCourtney Road Transfer Station (MRTS) Improvement Project along with Bobo Construction, Hansen Brothers Enterprise, and Waste Management. This project will repurpose the existing transfer stations footprint to accommodate the increased traffic and demand for recycling and solid waste services and allow for the current State mandate for organic food waste collection and diversion, according to a county news release. In plain English, shorter lines!

Planned improvements include:

1) Quick and easy site access. 2) Plenty of unloading stalls with a new transfer station building. 3) Improved access to Household Hazardous Waste and recycling facilities. 4) Improved areas for green waste, construction, and demolition. 5) Food waste diversion facility to comply with California state regulations. 6) New public receiving area to maximize flexibility for known and unknown needs for the next 30 years.

The project is slated to be completed in Fall 2024.

MRTS provides solid waste and recycling transfer services for the communities of Grass Valley, Nevada City, and the unincorporated areas of western Nevada County and was constructed in 1994 after the adjacent McCourtney Road landfill was closed.

MRTS has seen an increase in traffic and needs more capacity to accommodate the volume of vehicles regularly delivering waste to the site, in addition to providing organic food waste collection and diversion programs as outlined in SB1383 and AB1826 and directed by the State of California. Segregated food waste cannot be accommodated in the current facility design.

The project will cost $22 million over two years and has been included in the Countys Capital Facilities Plan since 2012. Over $4 million in taxpayer dollars were saved by making minimal reductions to the projects scope and rebidding the project in November 2022.

Construction is planned through the Fall of 2024. Customers will be able to check the MRTS camera for live traffic conditions.

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Nevada County Breaks Ground on McCourtney Road Transfer ... - YubaNet

Colorado plant protein company RollinGreens announces the launch of its latest shelf-stable offering, ChicKen Chopped Fajita. Made with pea protein and and clean-label ingredients, each package of ChicKen can replace one pound of conventional chicken.

The new ChicKen Chopped Fajita features a special recipe by Co-Founder Chef Ko, and includes the brands texturized protein blend (fermented shiitake mushrooms, pea protein and rice) along with garlic, peppers and onion seasoning.The pre-seasoned product can be prepared in 10 minutes, and offers 56 grams of protein per pack.

In addition to being shelf-stable for up to two years, the product is also kosher-certified and free from gluten, soy, oils, nuts, and GMOs.

Originally founded as an organic food truck in Boulder, CO, RollinGreens previously sold products like Millet Tots and Cauliflower Wings before pivoting to meat alternatives. Its line of plant-based MEEATS includes Ground Taco, Chorizo and Classic Salt & Pepper.

RollinGreens gained US national attention when the founders appeared on pitch show Shark Tank in 2020; during the appearance, the brand raised $500,000 from investor Robert Herjavec in exchange for a 20% stake in the company.

Other vegan companies to have gained success on Shark Tank include Everything Legendary plant-based burgers, meat-free deli maker Unreal Deli, pet food brand Wild Earth, and seaweed bacon innovator Umaro Foods.

We thrive on helping to make lives healthier, tastier and easier, said Co-Founders Ryan and Lindsey Cunningham.By creating more innovation in the Mexican category, we are expanding on the usage occasion. This product speaks directly to our core flexitarian customer. We are meeting many wellness trends with fermentation, digestibility, clean label, large protein bites, taste, texture, and convenience as this lives in your pantry, and is ready in under ten minutes with easy cleanup!

RollinGreens products can be found online and at major retailers, including Kroger, Walmart, and Thrive Market.

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RollinGreens Launches Chic'Ken Chopped Fajita to Expand Plant ... - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine

Consumers today are increasingly conscious of the impact their choices have on the environment and their health. As a result, organic products have become more popular, with sales recorded at $63.3 billion in 2021, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), a figure that is set to rise in the coming years. Today, organic shoppers are found in natural products specialty stores as well as conventional grocery and club stores, and organic food shoppers span all types of consumer demographics. One common factor among these consumers is their trust in the USDA organic seal, the visual identifier for the only food marketing claim backed by a federal regulatory program that innately covers a broad range of consumer interests from natural and non-GMO to regenerative and climate smart.

The USDA organic seal first appeared on grocery shelves in 2002 to identify organic food products that met the new federal standard created by Congress after years of input from farmers. Use of the seal is governed by the organic regulations and enforced by the NOP, the federal organization that develops and enforces consistent national standards for organically produced agricultural products sold in the United States. As a food label, the USDA organic seal carries a lot of weight. It means that the farm that produced that food and any business that had a hand in processing it followed a strict set of standards and is watched over by certifying organizations accredited by the USDA.

The organic seal also means that each farm and business is examined every year by a qualified organic inspector. It means that NOP and certifiers regularly conduct surveillance targeting higher risk sectors, complex operations and supply chains, and operations with a history of challenges consistently meeting the standards. And it means that if someone commits fraud and uses the label on a non-certified product, the federal government will take action to stop that misrepresentation and hold the perpetrator accountable.

NOPs work with and overseeing of third-party accredited certifiers is a big part of this process. Certifiers audit producers and brands across the supply chain and enforce the standards, verifying that they use compliant processes, ultimately protecting consumer confidence in the integrity of the seal.

In the 21 years since the seals introduction, the organic market has grown significantly. In the 10 years from 2013 to 2022, the overall organic marketplace grew $32.9 billion to todays $67.5 billion, and studies have shown that today, organic products are purchased by approximately 80 percent of U.S. households.

Yet, as the organic market has grown both in dollars and global presence, so too have the complexities of the supply chain. Like any expanding marketplace, especially one with products that draw a premium price, this has led to myriad challenges, including some very public convictions and prison sentences for fraud. Fortunately, Congress and the Department of Agriculture have more than doubled funding for organic oversight and enforcement through the 2018 Farm Bill and the Administration priority of expanding market opportunities for U.S farmers and ranchers.

The USDA organic seal is a key standard for many consumers, and protecting that faith and trust is our top priority, said NOP Deputy Administrator Jennifer Tucker. Additional funding has enabled us to grow our in-house expertise, increase training for certifiers, and develop effective partnerships with other law enforcement partnerscreating a system where many hands actively support organic integrity.

The organic food sector continues growing because consumers value one or several of the attributes inherent to organic products. According to USDA, organic food production emphasizes natural processes and ingredients from farm to table.For example,it means that genetic engineering is not allowedso USDA organic means no GMOs.It means the food was grown in a way that supports soil health, water quality and biodiversity.It means that only allowed ingredients are used in processing.

According to NOP, the new rule was developed to increase consistency, maintain a level playing field for everyone in the supply chain, and minimize opportunities for fraud. SOE codifies recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board, previous NOP guidance, and industry input, marking this as the single largest revision to the organic standards since their inception.

The organic industry has changed a lot since 2002, and this new rule gives USDA more tools to make sure that we can effectively oversee the supply chain that moves ingredients from farm to market, to ensure that all of the practices that make the product organic were followed along the way, explains Tucker. This transparency is how we and our partners maintain organic integrity.

Tucker encourages everyone doing business in the organic sector to read the rule now and prepare to comply with any new requirements during the one-year implementation period that ends March 19, 2024.

While almost all entities need to be certified under the final rule, the section Applicability and Exemptions from Certification is an especially important section to help you understand the implications of the rule for organic trade, said Tucker.We are being cautious to not weigh in on hypothetical scenarios because businesses are so differentthe rule is written to help businesses analyze their own activities, assess their need for certification, and determine how to implement its requirements.

According to USDA, if you are currently using an uncertified commodity broker or are buying from or selling to an uncertified handler, that broker or handler will need to be certified before the implementation period is over for them to continue to serve the organic market. The very few exceptions to this requirement are listed in the rulein general, we encourage everyone who serves the organic market to get certified, said Tucker.

For those using imported commodities or products, after the implementation date, those imports will need to have an associated electronic organic import certificate. The new import certificate will be generated by the certifier who oversees the exporter sending the product to the United States. That exporter will provide the certificate to the importer of record. USDA will launch the technology to generate that certificate later in 2023.

The SOE final rule has been widely praised by organic industry stakeholders, who see it as a critical step towards ensuring the integrity of the organic seal. The rule will provide greater confidence for consumers and producers, alike, in the USDA organic label and will help to level the playing field for all organic businesses. We love the SOE rule, exclaims Ravi Arora of Global Organics. Organic is the only logo we have and if people dont trust it, it makes a lot of our work very difficult. We know it is hard work to implement, but integrity is critical to the organic marketplace.

The SOE final rule is a significant step towards reducing fraud in the organic marketplace, strengthening oversight of organic producers, handlers, and certifiers, and improving NOP's enforcement mechanisms. Tucker summed it up saying, Organic is a choice consumers can trust. This rule better protects American households because it allows us to protect the market and supply chain more effectively and more completely, discouraging the bad guys up front and bringing them to justice faster when they violate the rules.

As implementation of the rule unfolds, NOP will continue to share deadlines and updates, training, and FAQs through the USDA Organic Insider. Subscribe at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/reports/organic-insider.

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule is a set of changes to the USDA organic regulations that improve the integrity of the USDA's organic certification program. Here's what you need to know:

To learn more about SOE, visit the USDA's National Organic Program website or consult with your organic certifier.

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USDA bolsters consumer confidence in certified organic products ... - New Hope Network

The term slow food seems like a self-explanatory antonym for fast food. So if fast food is quick, cheap, and easy, slow food must then be time-consuming, expensive, and complicated. That view is not quite accurate. But the values of the slow food movement are somewhat foreign to the Standard American Diet. Expensive ingredients and fancy restaurants give it the rich aroma of elitism, putting a lot of people off. And thats a shame, because slow food has a lot to offer to people who are used to eating SAD.

In the United States, the slow food movement is most closely associated with celebrity chef Alice Waters. Waters founded Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California in 1971 and has been a constant advocate for seasonal farm-to-table cuisine and a culture of mindful appreciation for the processes behind the food we eat. However, the term slow food was not coined until 1986, when fast-food titan McDonalds opened a store in an iconic Roman square. Italians protested this act of culinary imperialism by distributing pasta and shouting the slogan We dont want fast food. We want slow food! Three years later, the Slow Food International organization was officially founded in Paris with the adoption of the Slow Food Manifesto.

There is an environmental aspect to slow food, but it is not primarily an environmental movement. The Slow Food Manifestos subtitle is International Movement for the Defense of and the Right to Pleasure. The single-page document points to fast food as a critical example of the way industrialization prioritizes speed to the detriment of culture, tradition, peace of mind, and the environment. It positions the Slow Food movement as a defense of quality of life.

Originally most interested in traditional food cultures and quality ingredients, Slow Food International began with events that celebrated sustainable and artisanal food products. Over time, they developed beyond simple epicureanism, to emphasize the impact of food systems on the environment, producers, and consumers. Slow Food International established a foundation for biodiversity that works with small scale food producers in more than 100 countries. They have developed educational resources that go beyond nutrition to instruction on combining culinary pleasure with social and environmental responsibility. There are now hundreds of projects around the world built on the assumption that everyone has the right to good, clean, and fair food.

Alice Waters (who has been vice president of Slow Food Intl. since 2002) founded the Edible Schoolyard Project, which advocates for universal free school lunch and a sustainable food curriculum. But she is still most famous for Chez Panisse, where dinner costs $175 per person. Few people can afford the good, clean, and fair prices at slow food restaurants. But slow food is not really about fine dining. It grew out of Italys home cooking culture and enshrined egalitarian principles in Slow Food Internationals 2017 Chengdu Declaration. Even so, the slow food movement has gained a reputation for self-righteous elitism, even from within. No movement is immune to dogmatism, and as the famous Portlandia Colin the Chicken sketch illustrates, people can get so carried away learning about their foods origin that they can no longer enjoy eating it. Dont let the perfect become the enemy of the good.

Theres nothing wrong with eating at a pricey farm-to-table restaurant if you can afford it. These meals can be educational experiences, both in expanding your palate and teaching you about the origins of your food. Wherever we eat, there are many ways to act in support of Slow Food Internationals values. Consider starting or joining a Slow Food convivium or community to work toward a healthier, more sustainable and sustaining food system. You dont have to ally yourself with an organization at all.

At its heart, the slow food movement is about mindfulness. It is more concerned with how fast we eat than how fast we cook:

we propose the vaccine of an adequate portion of sensual gourmandise pleasures, to be taken with slow and prolonged enjoyment.

No snack is quicker to prepare than a piece of fresh fruit, but if we savor every bite, that snack qualifies as slow food. Visit a farmers market for local, organic produce (they can be surprisingly affordable). Or grow a window box full of edible flowers to elevate your meals. When you have the time or better yet, can make the time dedicate it to learning how to cook a new healthy dish or a traditional one. Then share a leisurely meal with friends and family.

Feature image: Askar Abayev, Pexels

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Enjoying the Slow Food Movement - Earth911.com

David Attenboroughs latest TV series Wild Isles is delightful, astonishing, and harrowing in equal measure. His incredible insights into the natural world are inspiring. But, as he points out, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted places on Earth.

Helen Browning, the chief executive of the Soil Association, will be speaking at the SMALL IS THE FUTURE event taking place on Saturday, 17 June 2023. Speakers include Dr Ann Pettifor, Charlie Hertzog Young, Gareth Dale Professor Herbert Girardet. Tickets for the online event are on sale at 3 now!

He reveals shocking statistics. Over the last 50 years, 38 million birds have vanished from our skies, 97 per cent of our wildflower meadows have been lost, and a quarter of all our mammals are now at risk of extinction.

Historic habitat loss due to intensive agriculture has caused bird numbers to greatly reduce, natures champion points out in the Grasslands episode. In short, Britains wildlife is in trouble.

Groundswell

But the damage is not irreversible, as the eagerly anticipated Save our Wild Isles documentary, now available on BBC iPlayer highlighted. There is a way of farming that doesnt rely on destructive pesticides and instead focuses on creating homes for predatory insects that eat crop pests.

There is a way of farming that uses plants to fertilise soils and refuses to use the chemical products that pollute our land and waters. This is farming organically.

With nature in crisis and 50 per cent more wildlife on average on organic farms, it is a severe injustice to people, farmers, and nature that organic is seen as niche, exclusive or radical.

For more than 50 years, organic farmers have been pioneering practices that care for nature above and below the ground. Harmful chemicals are banned, contributing to there being a third more species overall on their farms, on average, including 50 per cent more pollinators and 20 percent more bird species.

It is a travesty that only around three percent of British farmland is organic. But there is hope change is in the air. There is a groundswell of nature-friendly farming in the UK farming scene.

Incentives

While fully certified organic farms remain a minority, the principles and methods of farming that underpin the organic movement are starting to get recognition as a vital solution for restoring nature.

Organic pioneers and the surge in regenerative and agroecological farming have shown it is entirely possible for farming to make space for nature. and that wildlife is crucial for producing good food.

Those behind the Saving Our Wild Isles documentary and campaign point out that nature is our life support. We cannot live without it. Farming in harmony with wildlife does not need to seem like a luxury it should and can be a priority.

Link:

Embracing organic can save our wild isles - The Ecologist

PRESS RELEASE

Published May 1, 2023

The latest study released on the Global Organic Rice Syrup Market by HTF MI Research evaluates market size, trend, and forecast to 2029. The Organic Rice Syrup market study covers significant research data and proofs to be a handy resource document for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people to have ready-to-access and self-analyzed study to help understand market trends, growth drivers, opportunities and upcoming challenges and about the competitors.

Key Players in This Report Include:

Suzanne’s Specialties (United States), Nature’s One, Inc. (United States), Wuhu Deli Foods Co. Ltd. (China), Axiom Foods Inc. (United States), California Natural products (CNP) (United States), ABF Ingredients (United Kingdom), Cargill Incorporated (United States), Archer Daniels Midland (United States), Wuhu Haoyikuai Food Co. Ltd.(China), Gulshan Polyols Ltd. (India)

Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) @ https://www.htfmarketintelligence.com/sample-report/emea-organic-rice-syrup-market

According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Organic Rice Syrup market to witness a CAGR of 4.59% during forecast period of 2023-2029. The market is segmented by Application (Baking, Confectionery, Beverages processed foods, Dressing and spreads, Dairy products, Ice-creams) by Type (Brown Rice Syrup, White Rice Syrup) by Nature (Organic, Conventional) and by Geography (Europe, Middle East, Africa). The Organic Rice Syrup market size is estimated to increase by USD 591 Million at a CAGR of 4.59% from 2023 to 2029. The report includes historic market data from 2019 to 2023E. Currently, market value is pegged at USD 1919Million

Definition:

Rising Health consciousness among Consumers and Increasing Health Diseases such as Diabetes, High blood pressure, and various heart diseases have resulted in finding the alternatives like Rice Syrup to conventional table sugar among the health-conscious consumers is one of the major factors that are driving the Global Organic Rice Syrup market. Rice syrup is defined as the processed form of cultured rice, wherein, the rice is fermented using enzymes such as beta- and alpha amylase, which helps in the breaking down of starch to simple sugar molecules such as glucose, fructose, and maltose. These sugars are further processed by protein fractioning and refining in order to extract sweetening agents from the malted rice. Organic rice syrup is a low-calorie sweetener which is used as an alternative to high fructose corn syrup. It is made by fermenting the organic rice which includes no synthetic agents, pesticides or fertilizers that make this syrup safe and acceptable to the people of all age groups.

Market Trends:

Market Drivers:

Market Opportunities:

Major Highlights of the Organic Rice Syrup Market report released by HTF MIMarket Breakdown by Applications: Baking, Confectionery, Beverages processed foods, Dressing and spreads, Dairy products, Ice-creams

Market Breakdown by Types: Brown Rice Syrup, White Rice Syrup

Global Organic Rice Syrup market report highlights information regarding the current and future industry trends, growth patterns, as well as it offers business strategies to helps the stakeholders in making sound decisions that may help to ensure the profit trajectory over the forecast years.

Buy Complete Assessment of Organic Rice Syrup market Now @ https://www.htfmarketintelligence.com/buy-now?format=3&report=353

Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions:

Objectives of the Report

Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase @ https://www.htfmarketintelligence.com/enquiry-before-buy/emea-organic-rice-syrup-market

Major highlights from Table of Contents:

Organic Rice Syrup Market Study Coverage:

Browse Complete Summary and Table of Content @ https://www.htfmarketintelligence.com/report/emea-organic-rice-syrup-market

Key questions answered

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, or Southeast Asia.

Contact Us :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedPhone: +1 434 322 0091[emailprotected]

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Organic Rice Syrup Market Gaining Momentum with Positive ... - Digital Journal