Weekly Top 5: Organic News You Need to Know #25

1. Josie's Organics Adds Belgian Style Leeks to Organic Line

Braga Fresh, a third generation farming family, has recently launched its new packaged Organic Belgian Style Leeks under the Josie’s Organics label featuring their signature blue polka dot packaging.   

These packaged leeks have more edible flesh than most bunched leeks, save time when it comes to cleaning and preparing, and limit the amount of product wasted – allowing the consumer to experience convenience and versatility. Josie’s Organics Belgian Style Leeks are grown in the U.S. and are available year-round. 

Read more here.

2. Decline of America's Share of Global Organics Market Forecast

The global organic food market is forecast to reach $187.6 billion by 2021, representing a CAGR of 13.8 percent, according to market research firm GlobalData plc. The company said the global organic food market at $98.5 billion in 2016, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9 percent between 2012 and 2016. The organic food market's fruit and vegetable segment posted 2016 revenue of $35.8 billion, representing more than 36 percent of the global market.

GlobalData said that while the United States will remain the largest single market for organics, increasing from $44.9 billion in 2016 to $63.4 billion by 2021 at a CAGR of 7.1 percent, its market share will decline.

Read more here. 

3. US Federal Reserve Highlights Economic Benefits of Organic Agriculture

The significant and long-lasting economic benefits that organic agriculture can offer local communities are featured in an important new publication released Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Governors, The new book, Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities, is a compilation of research, essays and reports exploring how the growing popularity of locally sourced food can be harnessed to boost economic opportunities for rural and urban communities.

The feature chapter on organic, “Organic, A Solid, Beneficial, and Sustainable Investment” was co-authored by Dr. Edward Jaenicke, Associate Professor for Agricultural Statistics at Penn State University and Maggie McNeil, Senior Editor at the Organic Trade Association. The authors detail the findings of a Penn State research paper on organic hotspots summarized in the spring of 2016 in a White Paper released by the Organic Trade Association, “U.S. Organic Hotspots and Their Benefit to Local Economies,” and give real-life examples of how successful investment in organic agriculture creates jobs and business opportunities at the local level and increases the economic possibilities available in a locality.

Read more here. 

4. CCOF-Certified Farmers and CCOF Staff Present at Two Farm Bill Listening Sessions 

A listening session in Modesto on August 5 attracted an audience of over 250 to present their farm bill priorities to members of the House Agriculture Committee Michael Conaway (R-Texas), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pennsylvania), and Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock). Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) also listened to the testimony.

On August 10, a smaller but just as passionate crowd gathered in Salinas to present their farm bill priorities to House Agriculture Committee members Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Jim Costa (D-Fresno), and ranking member Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota). Retired congressman Sam Farr made an appearance, and California’s Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross was also present.

Read more here.

5. Twenty-Six Percent of U.S. Consumers Trust Organic Food Labels

A "lack of faith" in organic claims has resulted in just 26 percent of U.S. consumers saying they trust organic food labels, according to a new report by market research firm Mintel Group Ltd. The report, "The Natural/Organic Food Shopper - US," indicates that authenticity and price are purchase deterrents, even among organic shoppers. For example consumers identify natural claims with the term "simple," while organic is associated more with "expensive."

Read more here. 

 “Definitely bright – we’re getting big into organics!” 
Ryan Easter, Sage Fruit Company