AN An INFORMATION information FEATURE feature
PAGE page 11
W DAY, Ss Ee Pp T w Ee D dN n Ee SsDAY, t Ee M m Bb Ee R r 22 66 ,, 22 0 011 22
Special
Going organic Health and environmental concerns driving demand hen hen Rachel Rachel Carson Carson pubpublished lished Silent Silent Spring Spring 50 50 years years ago ago this this week, week, she she focused focused attention attention on on the the dangers dangers of of pespesticide ticide use. use. Today, Today, many many consumconsumers ers choose choose organic organic foods foods due due to to concerns concerns about about the the environmenenvironmental tal impact impact of of conventional conventional food food production. production. Others Others choose choose organic organic for for health health reasons, reasons, an an approach approach supported supported by by aa June June 2012 2012 report report from from the the Ontario Ontario College College of of Family Family Physicians Physicians that that recommended recommended the the public public reduce reduce its its exposure exposure to to pesticides pesticides whenever whenever possible. possible. After After Gail Gail Gordon Gordon Oliver Oliver was was diagnosed diagnosed with with breast breast cancer cancer in in 2001, 2001, she she shifted shifted to to organic organic foods foods as as part part of of her her recovery recovery process. process. “Before “Before my my diagnosis, diagnosis, II cooked cooked good, good, healthy healthy food food for for my my family family but but II did did not not pay pay much much attention attention to to its its source,” source,” she she says. says. “We “We also also ate ate our our share share of of junk junk food food and and fast fast food.” food.” Since Since then then the the Toronto Toronto resident resident has has followed followed an an organic organic diet diet as as much much as as possible. possible. “I “I don’t don’t know know if if switching switching to to organically organically grown grown and and raised raised meats meats and and produce produce has has made made aa difference difference in in my my physical physical health” health” says says the the founder founder of of Edible Edible Toronto, Toronto, aa print print and and online online publipublication, cation, “but “but mentally mentally it it has has had had aa huge huge impact, impact, which which can can be be just just as as important.” important.” Ms. Ms. Gordon Gordon Oliver Oliver tries tries to to buy buy
locally, locally, but but cautions cautions shoppers shoppers not not to to assume assume that that because because produce produce is is sold sold at at aa farmer’s farmer’s market market it it has has been been grown grown organically. organically. “I “I am am aa strong strong advocate advocate for for local local food, food, but but I’m I’m cautious cautious with with my my purchaspurchasing. ing. II don’t don’t buy buy local local strawberries strawberries and and peaches, peaches, for for instance, instance, unless unless they’re they’re organic.” organic.” A A health health concern concern also also motivated motivated Tammy Tammy Ingrao Ingrao to to adopt adopt an an organic organic food food lifestyle. lifestyle. Last Last September, September, her her son, son, now now four, four, was was found found to to be be allergic allergic to to gluten, gluten, eggs eggs and and dairy dairy products. products. “He “He was was very very small small for for his his age age and and we we realized realized something something was was wrong,” wrong,” says says the the medical medical secsecretary retary from from Cambridge, Cambridge, Ontario. Ontario. This This news news meant meant aa radical, radical, and and challenging, challenging, transformation transformation in in the the family’s family’s eating eating habits habits –– avoiding avoiding packaged packaged foods foods and and restaurants restaurants in in favour favour of of making making meals meals from from organic organic ingredients. ingredients. Although Although the the results results were were worth worth it it (her (her son son is is doing doing much much better), better), Ms. Ms. Ingrao Ingrao says says that that going going organic organic takes takes extra extra time time and and efeffort, fort, especially especially for for someone someone with with two two young young children. children. “I “I have have to to plan plan meals meals days days ahead ahead and and make make sure I have the foods on hand to prepare what we’re going to eat.” Contrary to popular thinking, she says, eating organic is not necessarily harder on the family budget. Although the food itself
can be more expensive, “because we rarely eat out it’s actually less costly.” Since switching to organic, Ms. Ingrao is far more aware of what she eats. “Probably 99 per cent of people don’t read or understand food labels. Nor do they know how their food is grown, how much land it took, what’s in it. I didn’t even know there was a problem with our food before.” Margaret Tourond-Townson, a retired teacher and vice chair of Canadian Organic Growers Ottawa, also became interested in organic food for health reasons. She helped launch a pilot program called Senior Organic Gardeners (SOG) to encourage seniors to grow and enjoy organic produce. In its first first phase, SOG spoke at
PHOTO: photo: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM istockphoto.com
“Probably 99 per cent of people don’t read or understand food labels. Nor do they know how their food is grown, how much land it took, what’s in it.” Tammy Tammy Ingrao Ingrao is is an an organic organic food food convert convert
two retirement homes about the many benefits benefits of organic food and helped residents plant organic gardens. “There were mixed results because of many factors,” she says, “but overall it was a great success. We are now looking for funding to expand.” One of her most rewarding moments was when a senior was planting seedlings. “Tom had gardened before, but he had handmobility issues and was slower than the others. He was called for lunch before he finished finished and I suggested he stop and eat. He looked me in the eyes and said, ‘This is a feast for me. I’ll eat later.’ It was wonderful. I just sat back for a minute and said to myself, this is why I’m doing this.”
THE The ORGANIC organic STANDARD standard Natural, sustainable or organic – what’s the difference? They They might might seem seem like like synonyms, synonyms, but but there there can can be be aa significant significant difference difference bebetween tween food food labelled labelled ‘natural,’ ‘natural,’ ‘sustainable’ ‘sustainable’ or or ‘organic.’ ‘organic.’ ‘Natural’ ‘Natural’ food food can can easily easily contain contain genetically genetically modified modified ingredients ingredients or or be be grown grown with with pesticides. pesticides. ‘Sustainable’ ‘Sustainable’ food, food, like like ‘local’ ‘local’ food, food, can can mean mean many many things things to to many many people, people, and and has has no no set set definition definition or or requirement requirement to to meet meet spespecific cific criteria criteria set set by by government government or or other other third third parties. parties. In In Canada, Canada, organic organic food food must must meet meet stringent stringent national national regulations regulations and and is is subject subject to to independent independent inspections inspections overseen overseen by by the the Canadian Canadian Food Food Inspection Inspection Agency Agency before before it it can can be be labelled labelled organic organic and and carry carry the the Canada Canada Organic Organic logo. logo.
PROFILE profile
Organic wine producers bring new meaning to green grapes
wouldn’t wouldn’t make make wine wine any any other other way,” way,” says says Bruce Bruce Ewert, Ewert, referring referring to to the the organic organic wine wine he he produces produces at at L’Acadie L’Acadie Vineyards Vineyards in in Nova Nova Scotia’s Scotia’s Annapolis Annapolis Valley. Valley. “There “There are are so so many many chemicals chemicals in in our our diet diet and and II don’t don’t want want to to add add any any more more through through my my products.” products.” Mr. Mr. Ewert Ewert is is one one of of aa growing growing number number of of Canadian Canadian winemakwinemakers ers dedicated dedicated to to making making 100 100 per per cent cent organic organic wine. wine. “At “At first first we we sold sold mostly mostly to to farmers’ farmers’ markets,” markets,” he he says. says. “Now “Now we we see see aa lot lot of of growth growth in in liquor liquor retail retail stores stores as as well. well. There’s There’s more more enthusiasm enthusiasm and and more more demand demand for for it it in in Nova Nova Scotia, Scotia, no no question.” question.” Eric Eric von von Krosigk, Krosigk, the the winemakwinemaker er and and viticulturist viticulturist at at Summerhill Summerhill
Bruce Bruce Ewert Ewert of of L’Acadie L’Acadie Vineyards, Vineyards, with with aa bottle bottle of of his his organic organic brut. brut. PHOTO: photo: WINES Wines OF of NOVA Nova SCOTIA Scotia
Pyramid Pyramid Winery Winery in in B.C.’s B.C.’s OkanaOkanagan gan Valley, Valley, oversaw oversaw the the winery’s winery’s transition transition to to certified certified organic organic status status in in 2006. 2006. “We “We trumpet trumpet how how great great our our wine wine tastes tastes and and add, add, oh oh by by the the way, way, it’s it’s also also certified certified 100 100 per per cent cent organic.” organic.” Organic Organic wine, wine, which which should should have have an an accredited accredited certifier’s certifier’s logo logo or or name name on on it, it, is is made made from from grapes grapes grown grown organically. organically. The The wine-making wine-making process process must must also also follow follow Canada’s Canada’s strict strict national national organic organic standards standards that that cover cover everything everything from from what what is is used used to to clean clean the the equipment equipment to to prohibitprohibiting ing many many common common additives. additives. “The “The inspectors inspectors put put us us under under aa microscope microscope and and pull pull us us apart,” apart,” says says Mr. Mr. von von Krosigk. Krosigk. “They “They come come in in and and ask ask who who picked picked your your
grapes? grapes? Who Who is is the the driver driver of of your your truck? truck? Where Where are are the the bin bin tags? tags? They They want want to to know know everything everything that that went went into into the the making making of of the the wine. wine. It’s It’s an an incredibly incredibly transpartransparent ent process.” process.” Bill Bill Redelmeier, Redelmeier, who who with with his his wife wife Marilyn Marilyn owns owns Southbrook Southbrook Vineyards Vineyards in in Ontario’s Ontario’s Niagara Niagara wine wine region, region, uses uses the the principles principles of of biodynamics biodynamics to to produce produce organic organic wines. wines. Biodynamic Biodynamic winemaking winemaking applies applies aa holistic holistic approach approach to to the the soil, soil, plants plants and and animals animals involved involved in in the the growing growing process. process. “We “We harvest harvest wine wine dependdepending ing on on the the phases phases of of the the moon,” moon,” he he says. says. “The “The sprays sprays we we use use in in the the vineyards vineyards are are homeopathic homeopathic herbal herbal teas. teas. We We have have ruminants, ruminants, mostly mostly sheep, sheep, in in the the vineyard vineyard (for (for
manure) manure) because because their their digestive digestive process process is is gentle gentle and and what what comes comes out out the the back back end end is is basically basically the the same same stuff stuff that that goes goes in in the the front front end.” end.” No No matter matter how how the the wine wine is is made, made, what what matters matters most most is is taste. taste. “I “I don’t don’t think think there’s there’s an an organic organic wine wine taste,” taste,” says says Mr. Mr. Ewert. Ewert. “I “I bebelieve lieve that that wine wine made made organically organically has has aa better better expression expression of of its its terterroir. roir. The The flavours flavours are are more more clear.” clear.” “Taste “Taste is is subjective,” subjective,” says says Mr. Mr. Redelmeier, Redelmeier, “although “although organorganics ics score score on on average average one one or or two two points points higher higher in in tests. tests. The The beauty beauty of of organic organic wine, wine, however, however, is is that that you you know know what what you’re you’re drinking drinking has has no no chemicals chemicals in in it. it. And And that that the the land land it it was was made made on on is is being being farmed farmed in in aa sustainable sustainable way.” way.”
Celebrate
Find out more about special events, promotions & contests across Canada!
food, farming & products
Facebook (/organicweek) Twitter (@organicweek)
organic in Canada
COG Canadian Organic Growers Cultivons Biologique Canada
www.organicweek.ca September 22-29, 2012
T tH hE e G g LLl O oB bE e A aN nD d M mA a IIi LLl •• W wE eD dN nE e SSs DAY, eP pT tE eM mB bE eR r 22 6 T H E G O B E A N D M A W E D N E DAY, SSs E E P T E M B E R 6 ,, 22 0 0 11 22
PAGE page 2 An INFORMATION information FEATURE feature PAGE 2 •• AN AN INFORMATION FEATURE
ORGANIC Organic FOOD Food AND and WINE Wine REGULATORY Regulatory ENVIRONMENT environment REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Natural health products popular with Canadians “Canadians use these products for many reasons – preventing or treating an illness or condition, reducing health risks and maintaining good health.” Helen Helen Sherrard Sherrard is is president president CHFA CHFA
Sold Sold over over the the counter, counter, natural natural health health products products are are used used to to maintain maintain or or improve photo: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM istockphoto.com improve overall overall health. health. PHOTO: PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM the the natural natural health health sector. sector. “Canadians “Canadians use use these these products products for for many many reasons reasons –– preventing preventing or or treating treating an an illness illness or or condition, condition, reducing reducing health health risks risks and and mainmaintaining taining good good health.” health.” The The market market includes includes NHPs NHPs made made with with organically organically grown grown natural natural ingredients. ingredients. Some Some conconsumers sumers choose choose to to buy buy organic organic products products to to support support environenvironmentally mentally sustainable sustainable farming farming
EDUCATION Education EDUCATION The The Canadian Canadian School School of of NatuNatural ral Nutrition Nutrition has has aa visionary visionary approach approach to to preventive preventive health health care care –– believing believing there there is is aa link link between between food, food, its its source source and and aa healthy healthy consumer. consumer. As As such, such, the the CSNN CSNN supports supports organic organic farming, farming, and and along along with with its its students students and and graduates, graduates, is is an an ambassador ambassador for for aa green, green, healthy healthy lifestyle. lifestyle. CSNN’s CSNN’s NatuNatural ral Nutrition Nutrition Program Program is is aa proprogressive gressive and and practical practical sciencesciencebased based program program leading leading to to the the R.H.N.™ R.H.N.™ designation. designation.
practices practices and and humane humane animal animal welfare, welfare, says says Ms. Ms. Sherrard. Sherrard. In In 2011, 2011, CHFA CHFA commissioned commissioned aa national, national, online online Ipsos Ipsos Reid Reid survey survey and and gained gained additional additional ininsights sights into into Canadians’ Canadians’ allegiance allegiance to to NHPs. NHPs. “Among “Among Canadian Canadian consumers consumers of of NHPs, NHPs, 80 80 per per cent cent indicated indicated these these products products were were ‘somewhat ‘somewhat or or very very important’ important’ to to their their family. family. The The survey survey also also demonstrated demonstrated
that that the the vast vast majority majority of of CanaCanadian dian consumers, consumers, 71 71 per per cent, cent, consider consider NHPs NHPs to to be be safe,” safe,” says says Ms. Ms. Sherrard. Sherrard. The The safety safety of of NHPs, NHPs, along along with with their efficacy and their efficacy efficacy and the the accuracy accuracy of of health health claims, claims, is is currently currently reguregulated lated under under Canada’s Canada’s Food Food and and Drugs Drugs Act, Act, which which positions positions NHPs NHPs as as aa subset subset of of drugs. drugs. In In 1998, 1998, the the House House of of ComCommons mons Standing Standing Committee Committee on on Health Health concluded concluded that that NHPs, NHPs, being being neither neither food food nor nor drugs, drugs, should defined separately should be be defined defined separately in in the the Act. Act. “The “The industry industry has has been been waiting waiting for for 14 14 years years for for this this recommendation recommendation to to be be enacted,” enacted,” says says the the CHFA CHFA president. president. Ideally, Ideally, the the association association would would like like to to see see aa new new Natural Natural Health Health Products Products Act Act –– and and the the Ipsos Ipsos Reid Reid survey survey found found that that 77 in in 10 10 Canadians Canadians supsupport port that that idea. idea. “We “We recognize recognize that that legislative legislative change change takes takes time,” time,” says says Ms. Ms. Sherrard. Sherrard. “In “In the the meantime, meantime, we we are are working working with with the the federal federal government government on on ways ways to to make make the effithe regulatory regulatory system system more more effiefficient, cient, so so that that the the rules rules continue continue to to ensure ensure that that NHPs NHPs are are safe safe and and effective effective but but that that consumers consumers can can still still access access the the products products they they need.” need.”
TOURNE tourne SOL sol CO-OPERATIVE co-operative TOURNE SOL CO-OPERATIVE
Organic practices are the foundation of a successful co-op farm in Quebec
he he roots roots of of the the TourneTourneSol Sol Co-operative Co-operative Farm Farm began began in in 2000 2000 at at McGill McGill University, University, where where aa group group of of students students in in agricultural agricultural and and environmental environmental programs programs built built friendships friendships and and discovered discovered shared shared values values and and goals. goals. “We “We all all had had aa passion passion for for the the environment environment and and agriculture’s agriculture’s role role in in creating creating social social and and food food justice,” justice,” says says Daniel Daniel Brisebois, Brisebois,
one five owner-workers one of of the the five five owner-workers of of the the 12-acre 12-acre farm farm in in Les Les Cèdres, Cèdres, Quebec, Quebec, 60 60 kilometres kilometres west west of of Montreal. Montreal. “By “By the the time time we we gradugraduated, ated, we we knew knew we we wanted wanted to to be be organic organic farmers.” farmers.” After After working working independently independently for five –– including for aa time, time, the the five five including two two couples couples –– came came together together to to establish establish Tourne-Sol Tourne-Sol in in 2004. 2004. Products Products include include 50 50 varieties varieties of of vegetables, vegetables, as as well well as as fresh fresh herbs, herbs,
“Always Leave the Earth Better Than You Found it.” ~ Rupert Stephens
Online?
cut flowers and cut flowers flowers and dried dried herbal herbal teas teas and certified organic. and seeds seeds –– all all certified certified organic. The The co-op co-op hires hires apprentices apprentices each each year year to to train train other other young young people people wanting wanting to to farm farm organically. organically. One One of of the the core core elements elements of of the the business business is is aa communitycommunitysupported supported agriculture agriculture program. program. “Customers “Customers pay pay in in advance advance for for aa weekly weekly basket basket of of vegetables vegetables throughout throughout the the growing growing season,” season,” explains explains Mr. Mr. Brisebois. Brisebois. “This “This gives gives us us some some upfront upfront funds funds to to cover cover early-season early-season costs costs and and provides provides families families with with very very fresh fresh local local produce.” produce.”
Co-operative Co-operative farms farms are are quite quite rare rare in in Canada, Canada, he he says, says, but but in in his his view, view, the the advantages advantages are are numerous. numerous. “Although “Although we we plant, plant, weed weed and and harvest harvest together, together, we we each each develop develop expertise expertise in in difdifferent ferent crops crops and and divide divide up up the the business business tasks.” tasks.” Sharing Sharing the the responsibilities responsibilities gives gives the the owner-workers owner-workers aa more more balanced balanced life, life, he he adds. adds. “And “And we’re gratified to we’re all all gratified gratified to be be involved involved in in the the type type of of farming farming that that proproduces duces aa healthy healthy soil soil ecosystem ecosystem as as well well as as high-quality, high-quality, healthy healthy foods.” foods.”
STANDARDS Standards STANDARDS Production Production principles principles aim aim to to support support a a healthier healthier world world Organic Organic production production is is based based on on principles principles that that aim aim to to increase increase the specific the quality quality and and durability durability of of the the environment environment through through specific specific management management and and production production methods. methods. They They also also focus focus on on ensurensuring ing the the humane humane treatment treatment of of animals. animals. The The general general principles principles of of organic organic production production that that form form Canada’s Canada’s national national organic organic standards standards include: include:
Interested Interested in in organic organic foods? foods?
1. 1. Protecting 1. Protecting the the environment, environment, minimizing minimizing soil soil degradation degradation and and erosion, erosion, decreasing decreasing pollution, pollution, optimizing optimizing biological biological productivity productivity and and promoting promoting aa sound sound state state of of health. health. 2. Maintaining 2. Maintaining 2. Maintaining long-term long-term soil soil fertility fertility by by optimizing optimizing conditions conditions for for biological biological activity activity within within the the soil. soil. 3. 3. Maintaining 3. Maintaining biological biological diversity diversity within within the the system. system.
OrganicBiologique.ca. OrganicBiologique.ca.
itamins itamins and and minerals, minerals, herbal herbal remedies, remedies, probiotprobiotics ics and and homeopathic homeopathic and and traditional traditional medicines medicines fall fall into into the the category category of of natural natural health health prodproducts ucts (NHPs). (NHPs). Their Their ingredients ingredients and and purposes purposes vary vary but but they they share share common common characteristics: characteristics: they they are are available available over over the the counter, counter, their their medicinal medicinal ingredients ingredients must must be be derived derived from from aa natural natural source source and and they they must must be be approved approved by by Health Health Canada Canada to to be be sold sold in in this this country. country. At At least least 10,000 10,000 retail retail outlets outlets in in Canada Canada sell sell NHPs, NHPs, from from pharmapharmacies cies and and health health food food stores stores to to mainstream mainstream supermarkets, supermarkets, and and Canadians find them Canadians clearly clearly find find them valuvaluable. able. The The natural natural health health industry industry has has annual annual sales sales of of $3-billion $3-billion and and more more than than 70 70 per per cent cent of of Canadians Canadians use use NHPs NHPs –– 45 45 per per cent cent of of them them on on aa daily daily basis. basis. “For “For many many Canadians, Canadians, NHPs NHPs are are part part of of their their healthy healthy lifestyle,” lifestyle,” says says Helen Helen Sherrard, Sherrard, president president of of the the Canadian Canadian Health Health Food Food AssoAssociation ciation (CHFA), (CHFA), which which represents represents
4. Recycling 4. Recycling 4. Recycling materials materials and and resources resources to to the the greatest greatest extent extent possible possible within within the the enterprise. enterprise. 5. 5. Providing 5. Providing attentive attentive care care that that promotes promotes the the health health and and meets meets the the behavioural behavioural needs needs of of livestock. livestock. 6. Emphasizing 6. Emphasizing 6. Emphasizing careful careful processing processing and and handling handling methods methods to to maintain maintain the the organic organic integrity integrity and and vital vital qualities qualities of of food food products products at at all all stages stages of of production. production. 7. Relying 7. Relying 7. Relying on on renewable renewable resources resources in in locally locally organized organized agricultural agricultural systems. systems.
BC Organic Ambrosia
CO MI NG SOO N
A Avva aiilla abbl lee fr froom mO OC CT TO OB BE ER R –– A AP PR RIIL L
Gift from Nature The The words words of of our our founder’s founder’s Dad Dad flavour flavour everything everything we we do do at at Nature’s Nature’s Path. Path. That’s That’s why why our our family-run family-run company company has has been been making making delicious, delicious, organic organic products products for for over over 25 25 years. years. That That means means no no GMO’s, GMO’s, no chemical herbicides or pesticides, and no no chemical herbicides or pesticides, and no synthetic synthetic preservatives preservatives or or additives. additives. No No way. way.
Savour the honeyed sweetness and juicy crunch of Organic Ambrosia! Organic Organic Ambrosia Ambrosia is is aa sweet, sweet, low low acid apple that is slow acid apple that is slow to to brown brown when when sliced. sliced. Ideal Ideal for for snacks, snacks, salads salads and desserts. and desserts. Ask Ask your your local local grocer grocer for for BC BC Organic Organic Ambrosia Ambrosia –– the the Original Original Ambrosia. Ambrosia.
O O R R G G A A N N II C C
Get Get the the full full story story on on Ambrosia Ambrosia at at www.organicambrosiaapple.ca www.organicambrosiaapple.ca owned by Wilfrid and Sally Mennell and used under license license by by the the New New Varieties Varieties Development Development Council Council Organic Organic Ambrosia Ambrosia Growers. Growers. ® ®owned by Wilfrid and Sally Mennell and used under Photo Photo by by Lone Lone Jones Jones Photography. Photography.
LObBeE aAnNdD m MaAiIlL •• w WeEdDnNeEsSDAY, DAY, sSeEpPtTeEm MbBeErR 2266,, 22001122 tThHeE gGlo
AN information INFORMATION feature FEATURE •• page PAGE 33 An
ORGANIC Food FOOD and AND Wine WINE Organic FOOD labelling LABELLING Food
Concerns over genetically engineered foods shared by consumers and farmers he significant significant growth growth of of he genetically engineered engineered genetically (GE) crops crops in in Canada Canada –– (GE) such as as canola canola and and corn corn –– might might such suggest that that Canadians Canadians have have suggest accepted genetic genetic engineering engineering as as accepted part of of the the modern modern food food producproducpart tion system. system. tion However, many many stakeholders stakeholders However, in Canada Canada have have never never abanabanin doned their their serious serious concerns concerns doned about the the potential potential environenvironabout mental and and health health risks risks of of foods foods mental containing genetically genetically modified modified containing organisms (GMOs). (GMOs). Among Among organisms these stakeholders stakeholders are are members members these of the the organic organic food food industry; industry; of organic certification certification includes includes asasorganic surance that that products products are are grown grown surance and processed processed GMO-free. GMO-free. and According to to some some organic organic According industry spokespeople, spokespeople, recent recent industry developments are are once once again again developments raising the the profile profile of of the the GMO GMO raising debate. One One such such development development debate. is Okanagan Okanagan Specialty Specialty Fruits’ Fruits’ is applications in in both both Canada Canada and and applications the U.S. U.S. to to market market the the Arctic Arctic the Apple, which which is is engineered engineered not not Apple, to turn turn brown brown when when bruised bruised or or to sliced. sliced. “GE technology technology is is the the greatgreat“GE est threat threat to to organic organic food food and and est food in in general general because because there there is is food no wall wall high high enough enough to to prevent prevent no cross-pollination from from GE GE crops crops cross-pollination to non-GE non-GE crops,” crops,” says says Arjan Arjan SteSteto phens, executive executive vice-president vice-president phens, of sales sales and and marketing marketing with with of Vancouver-based organic organic food food Vancouver-based company Nature’s Nature’s Path Path Foods Foods company Inc. “This “This threat threat from from the the Arctic Arctic Inc. Apple is is very very serious serious because because Apple bees travel travel up up to to five five kilomekilomebees tres, so so these these genes genes will will end end up up tres, pollinating other other apple apple orchards orchards pollinating and GMO GMO apple apple seeds seeds could could end end and up anywhere.” anywhere.” up Another major major concern concern Another centres on on Roundup Roundup Ready Ready centres alfalfa, says says Lisa Lisa Mumm, Mumm, owner owner alfalfa, of organic organic company company Mumm’s Mumm’s of Sprouting Seeds Seeds in in Parkside, Parkside, Sprouting Saskatchewan. Despite Despite years years of of Saskatchewan. opposition from from alfalfa alfalfa farmers farmers opposition south of of the the border, border, the the U.S. U.S. apapsouth proved sale sale of of the the biotech biotech alfalfa alfalfa proved
Arjan Stephens Stephens of of Nature’s Nature’s Path Path Foods Foods says says consumers consumers want want to to know know ifif their their food food has has been been genetically genetically modified. modified. Arjan PHOTO:Supplied SUPPLIED photo:
“Polls over over the the years years “Polls have shown that have shown that Canadians haven’t haven’t Canadians wavered in their desire desire wavered in their for GMO labels, with for GMO labels, with at least least 80 80 per per cent cent in in at support. And more and support. And more and more, Canadians Canadians are are more, standing up for their standing up for their right to to know know what’s what’s right in their food, including in their food, including whether itit has has been been whether genetically engineered.” genetically engineered.” Lisa Mumm Mumm Lisa owner of of isis owner Mumm’s Sprouting Sprouting Seeds Seeds Mumm’s
(resistant to to weed-killer weed-killer RoundRound(resistant up) in in 2011. 2011. Only Only one one regulatory regulatory up) step remains remains before before Canadian Canadian step approval is is granted. granted. approval “Both organic organic and and convenconven“Both tional farmers farmers oppose oppose approval,” approval,” tional says Ms. Ms. Mumm. Mumm. “Farmers “Farmers that that says
use chemicals chemicals don’t don’t want want itit use because there there is is no no need need to to use use because Roundup to to grow grow healthy healthy alfalfa alfalfa Roundup plants. Not Not only only will will pollination pollination plants. by bees bees inevitably inevitably contaminate contaminate by organic alfalfa alfalfa but but the the whole whole organic organic food food system system will will be be afaforganic
fected. Organic Organic farmers farmers all all use use fected. alfalfa to to build build soil soil health health and and alfalfa organic animal animal producers producers rely rely organic heavily on on organic organic alfalfa alfalfa as as heavily feed.” feed.” Despite these these threats, threats, both both Despite these organic organic food food producers producers are are these optimistic that that positive positive change change optimistic is on on the the horizon, horizon, thanks thanks in in is part to to California’s California’s Proposition Proposition part 37. This This ballot ballot question question will will ask ask 37. state voters voters on on November November 66 to to state say yes yes or or no no to to mandatory mandatory lalasay belling of of genetically genetically engineered engineered belling food, aa requirement requirement found found in in food, many other other nations, nations, including including many all members members of of the the European European all Union. Union. “Victory for for the the California California balbal“Victory lot initiative initiative has has the the potential potential to to lot change the the way way food food is is marketed marketed change and sold sold across across North North America,” America,” and says Mr. Mr. Stephens. Stephens. “This “This will will put put says pressure on on other other U.S. U.S. states states and and pressure on our our government government because because CaCaon nadians will will not not want want to to be be one one nadians of the the few few developed developed countries countries of not requiring requiring GMO GMO labelling.” labelling.” not Lisa Mumm Mumm agrees. agrees. “Polls “Polls Lisa over the the years years have have shown shown that that over Canadians haven’t haven’t wavered wavered in in Canadians their desire desire for for GMO GMO labels, labels, with with their at least least 80 80 per per cent cent in in support. support. at And more more and and more, more, Canadians Canadians And are standing standing up up for for their their right right are to know know what’s what’s in in their their food, food, to including whether whether itit has has been been including genetically engineered.” engineered.” genetically
EATING organic ORGANIC Eating
Consumers show a taste for organic apples fter first first appearing appearing in in the the fter grocery aisle aisle two two decades decades grocery ago, the the Ambrosia Ambrosia has has ago, become the the new new favourite favourite apple apple become of many many consumers consumers in in Canada Canada of and abroad. abroad. and “Juicy, crunchy, crunchy, sweet sweet and and resisresis“Juicy, tant to to browning browning –– there there are are many many tant reasons why why apple apple growers growers Wilfrid Wilfrid reasons and Sally Sally Mennell Mennell named named their their and
apple Ambrosia Ambrosia after after the the food food of of apple the gods,” gods,” says says Linda Linda Edwards, Edwards, the spokesperson for for the the Ambrosia Ambrosia spokesperson Organic Growers. Growers. Organic Sales have have climbed climbed steadily steadily in in Sales Canada over over the the past past 10 10 years, years, Canada and the the apples apples are are also also exported exported and to the the U.S. U.S. and and Asia. Asia. In In Vietnam, Vietnam, to Edwards says, says, Ambrosias Ambrosias are are Edwards prized as as gifts gifts that that are are carved carved up up prized
and shared shared after after dinner. dinner. and She states states that that choosing choosing ororShe ganic apples apples is is aa healthier healthier choice choice ganic for both both people people and and the the environenvironfor ment. “Organic “Organic apples apples have have aa ment. smaller environmental environmental and and chemchemsmaller ical footprint. footprint. When When you you choose choose aa ical certified organic organic apple apple you you don’t don’t certified need to to worry worry about about pesticides pesticides on on need your fruit fruit or or in in the the soil.” soil.” your
Thisreport reportwas wasproduced producedby byRandallAnthony RandallAnthonyCommunications CommunicationsInc. Inc.(www.randallanthony.com) (www.randallanthony.com)in inconjunction conjunctionwith withthe theadvertising advertisingdepartment departmentof of The The Globe Globe and and Mail. Mail. Richard Richard Deacon, Deacon, National National Business Business Development Development Manager, Manager, rdeacon@globeandmail.com. rdeacon@globeandmail.com. This
Organic foods benefit even the greenest thumb. Healthy Canadians understand the advantages of organic foods. In fact, Canadians bite into $2.5 billion worth of organic food annually, supporting nearly 4000 certified organic producers in Canada. The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) works collaboratively with partner associations to raise awareness and educate Canadians about the benefits of organics to their healthy lifestyles. Learn
more at chfa.ca.