OF&G :: The blog

Today’s BBC Breakfast programme and News 24 seem to be dominated (this morning at least) by the debate on organic food and air miles. Not a simple debate by any means, but one with huge complexities and which raises many questions.

Should organic be about carbon footprints? Should it even be about ethical trade? Or should it simply refer to methods that focus on safeguarding and improving animal welfare and the environment?

We know anyone reading this is going to have a view on that, and probably a strong one, but organic systems are coming increasingly under the microscope and it’s a discussion that’s got to be had…

You can see our own Chief Exec, Richard, contributing to the story on the BBC today by clicking here.

There’s been a lot of chatter in recent days about the imminent arrival of revolutionary retailer Whole Foods MarketThis major US brand is to open a three-floor store in London at the beginning of June offering organic and natural foods. It will apparently be the biggest food retailer in town. It’s approach to retailing is said to be somewhat different and the store will be full of seats for shoppers to take the weight off and gaze lovingly at the no-doubt enticing offerings.

OF&G is pleased to see Whole Foods Market turn up on these shores, with its plans for expansion across the country. It’s going to bring great profile to organic produce and the way it is sold. The company talks a good game about its relationship with suppliers too…

This morning our Chief Exec, Richard Jacobs, was interviewed on Radio Four’s Farming Today on the issue (click here to listen again to Wednesday’s programme, although it will only work until next week) and last week we were called by the Independent on Sunday for this piece (although we apparently didn’t make the final cut! Not controversial enough?).

The group owns the Fresh and Wild chain too and it’s progress in the UK is going to be fascinating to watch.

Welfare standards have always been at the heart of organic systems, so it’s gratifying to see other areas of farming tightening up as well.

Of course this is not to say that welfare is only just becoming a concern in non-organic production; that would be unfair. But the announcement of new European rules to set enforceable minimum welfare standards for all poultry is a recognition of what the shopper expects today.

We shouldn’t forget though that organics still sets a very high benchmark and will no doubt continue to do so…

The charity, Garden Organic, of which we’re very fond, has unveiled what it believes is the world’s first biodynamic garden.

It’s part of the charity’s existing ten-acre site in the heart of Warwickshire and has been created by top garden designer Andy Jones.

Find out more here.

Should be a fascinating place to spend some time in the summer…

Blogs like this are about their eco-system of links and they, to some extent, feed off each other (in an appreciative rather than plagiarising way!).

So we’ve made a small start on adding some of our own. You can see the first additions on the right of the page under ‘Organic and green blogs’.

Why start with these two? Well, they fit pretty neatly with the ethos of OF&G - an organisation that recognises the practical side of going organic and accepts that it’s not about trying to be perfect overnight (don’t in any way read that for being lax on policing the standards though. Quite the opposite!).

Adam Vaughan writes thegreenguy as well as editing online mag newconsumer.com and writing, podcasting, etc for a host of other notable titles and outlets. It’s a fascinating read and a great way to get a heads-up on products and issues.

Anna Shepard is The Times newspaper’s Eco-Worrier. Her blog about the challenges of greening up your life make for fascinating reading and the lively comments from her readers add up to a really useful and informative blog.

We’ll build the list slowly, looking for quality not quantity, and we’re open to suggestions. Any comments?