Top 5 - Organic News to Help You Grow #284

1. Fyffes North America Partners with Kowalski's Markets on Fair Trade Bananas

Especially surrounding the back-to-school season, I’ve heard a lot of talk about how bananas are one of the most affordable snacks in the grocery store. With the desire for an attractive price tag comes the demand for more ethical products, and Fyffes and Kowalski’s Markets are delivering on both. The two recently teamed up to begin selling Fyffes’ Fair Trade Certified bananas across the retailer’s 11 stores.  Read More

2. University of Florida Researching Tomatoes with Verdant Technologies

A recent study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF-IFAS) found the shelf life of grape tomatoes can be dramatically improved using an innovative postharvest solution by Verdant Technologies. The research team, led by Dr. Steven A. Sargent, conducted a variety of tests on grape tomatoes, examining the firmness, color, weight retention, and decay of tomatoes treated with Verdant’s HarvestHold Fresh. Upon completion of the study, HarvestHold Fresh demonstrated measurably significant benefits compared to the untreated control.  Read More

3. UNFI Foundation Awards More Than $1M To Improve Food Equity and Access

Earlier this week, United Natural Foods (UNFI) announced that the UNFI Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grant funding to improve food systems in more than 40 communities across the United States and Canada. Food access is a key pillar of UNFI’s Better for All initiative, and for the third consecutive year, the UNFI Foundation has committed over $1 million to nonprofit organizations to help create equitable food access in vulnerable communities.  Read More

4. CCOF Hardship Assistance Grants Available

Each year, the CCOF Foundation responds to natural disasters like wildfires or floods, unforeseeable life events, and other difficulties by offering economic assistance to organic farmers, ranchers, processors, and handlers. Over the past eight years, certified organic businesses across the country have received over $450,000 in financial support through CCOF’s Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund. Applications for assistance will be accepted from August 30–September 30, 2022.  Read More

5. Organics Unlimited Celebrates 17th Annual GROW Month

Organics Unlimited, a San Diego-based grower and distributor of organic tropical fruit, will celebrate its 17th annual GROW Month starting on September 1, 2022. Throughout September, the company will highlight its GROW program, which focuses on social responsibility.  Read More