Tag: USDA Organic

Culinary Delights, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

111 Million People Just Saw the USDA Organic Seal. Do They Know What It Means?

Melody Meyer

 

american sports

While a good portion of America was jostling around their televisions rooting for the winning touchdown, I was waiting for The Ad. Sunday’s primetime event heralded the first time in our nation’s history that millions of Americanswould witness and be inspired by the USDA Organic seal—all at the same time.

The Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Super Bowl ad may have been a milestone for organic, but do most football fans understand what it really means? Continue reading “111 Million People Just Saw the USDA Organic Seal. Do They Know What It Means?” →

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

A Few Moments with Organic Maven Lynn Coody

Melody Meyer
Headshot.2016.Credit Chris Roddy OT copy 2
Lynn Coody photo courtesy Chris Roddy of Oregon Tilth

I will never forget my first NOSB meeting which is where I met Lynn Coody. She was a firecracker of knowledge and expertise with an even manner that was disarming and gentle. Her smile was as wide as her breadth of knowledge, and I knew right away we would be friends and that I had much to learn from her.

Continue reading “A Few Moments with Organic Maven Lynn Coody” →

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

Is the USDA Label Strong Enough for All Organic Growers?

Melody Meyer

In response to my blog earlier in the week I sat down with the Coalition for Sustainable Organics (CSO) . They’re a group of growers committed to maintaining the USDA’s current high standards for certifying organic produce. They advocate for the continued allowance of containerized growing methods under the National Organic Program while enabling growers to select the most appropriate production system for their specific site and commodity needs.

They believe that everyone deserves organic produce, and growers must continue to find ways within the organic framework to expand supply.

Lee Frankel is the Executive Director of CSO. He recently elaborated on the current state of hydroponic and container growing in the US organic standards and the movements to create additional add-on labels in the organic marketplace. Continue reading “Is the USDA Label Strong Enough for All Organic Growers?” →

Culinary Delights, What is Organic

A Tale of Ten Acres Continues – UNFI’s Agrarian Path to Local Organic Food

Melody Meyer

It’s springtime in Racine, Wisconsin and the ten acres adjacent to our distribution facility lay ready for cultivation. The cover crop planted last fall had worked its subterranean magic, suppressing thistles and weeds, building topsoil, micronutrients and loam. The prolific rains had rendered the land moist and open, ready for planting. Steve Spinner’s vision for creating a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program near a UNFI facility was as close as placing a seed in the soil. The only hitch in this idyllic giddy-up was finding a suitable farmer willing to undertake the organic dream. Continue reading “A Tale of Ten Acres Continues – UNFI’s Agrarian Path to Local Organic Food” →