Tag: CCOF

Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

It’s Time to Support Future Organic Farmers

Melody Meyer

I have been honored to be the Executive Director for the UNFI Foundation since its inception in 2012. Early on my board asked me how we could bring together like-minded Foundations to make a larger impact in our priority areas, together as a community.

I began holding monthly calls with other funders who supported organic agriculture and we all coalesced around the idea of fostering new organic farmers. We were concerned that the average age of the US farmer was over 65 and we knew that organic farming provided a clear path to prosperity.

When Cathy Calfo from the CCOF Foundation joined those funders’ calls she immediately resonated with the idea. How could we make a difference and grow the next generation of organic farmers? Continue reading “It’s Time to Support Future Organic Farmers” →

Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

The Organic Grower Summit – The Time Has Finally Come for this Event

Melody Meyer

The first time I encountered organic was circa 1976 in a little co-op in Iowa. Not only were we happily bagging herbs and cutting the cheese but we were encouraging our local farmers to grow organic food. Fast forward to 2017, and organic sales were $47 billion last year. The number of certified organic farms and businesses has reached 24,650 certified entities. Producers from across the continent supply the raw agricultural products that fuel this tremendous growth. The time has finally come for organic growers to congregate and cultivate relationships with each other along with service experts and supply providers.   Continue reading “The Organic Grower Summit – The Time Has Finally Come for this Event” →

Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Organic Cannabis is Likely to Be a Joint Effort

Melody Meyer

California led the nation in legalizing medicinal marijuana in 1996 when Proposition 215 passed. Fast forward to November 2016 when the use of both recreational and medicinal marijuana has been legalized in Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon Washington, and the District of Columbia.

According to a report by Arcview Market Research, North American sales came in at a smoking $6.7 billion in 2016 and are projected to top $20.2 billion by 2021. The industry is booming larger and faster than the dot-com era, and there is no bust in sight.  Continue reading “Organic Cannabis is Likely to Be a Joint Effort” →

Culinary Delights, Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, What is Organic

Summertime and the Living is Easy…. It’s Gazpacho Time!

Melody Meyer

Heirloom tomatoesSummertime…the cucumbers are growing and the tomatoes are high. Your kitchen’s hot and your Cuisinart is hungry, so hush ‘what’s for dinner?’  Gazpacho―it’s your summer ally!

Continue reading “Summertime and the Living is Easy…. It’s Gazpacho Time!” →