Just a brief update to note that downloads of our Guide to Organic Certification: Food Processing stand at exactly 400 at the time of writing. That’s quite a neat milestone, don’t you think?
In addition to that we’ve sent copies of the printed (and satisfyingly heavyweight) version all over the UK and around the world. Did I mention that it’s free in both formats?
If you haven’t seen it yet take a look here…
OF&G licensee, Martin Orr, and his family are featured in the Sunderland Echo as Sunderland’s first organic farmers.
It must be said we were quite surprised at this apparent statistic, because it’s rare to find anywhere that isn’t represented yet by an organic farm. Out of interest, we checked our database and it certainly doesn’t appear that we have anyone else registered there, though, of course, we only certify a portion of the market (and many people will testify to the fact that trying to get a full list for the UK out of Defra is like, well, something that’s impossible to do!).
The Orr’s have a good business going supplying their organic pork, lamb and beef to a growing band of loyal customers.
We wish them every success!
Reports are appearing today of statistics coming out of retail analysts, IGD, which apparently show that a sizeable chunk of shoppers are sticking by organics – credit crunch or not.
Talking Retail rounds up the report here. It shows that 19 per cent (or roughly one in five) consumers are holding firm in their organic purchasing.
There are some other interesting facts and figures, but slightly concerning, though not surprising, is the one that suggests eight per cent of those questioned didn’t know what organic stood for anymore. It’s not surprising because realisation has finally dawned across the sector that we’re not getting clear messages out. Fortunately, there is work in hand to address this, such as the OrganicUK initiative being co-ordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, which OF&G is backing.
Overall though, mounting evidence, both empirical and anecdotal, points to organics going through a dip, rather than a crash.
Any regular readers will recall that we had some fun when our Certification Manager, Steve Clarkson, was the lucky winner of a Farmers Weekly knitting pattern. Oh did we laugh.
We promised then that the jumper would be made and he would be forced to model it. Well, I’m afraid that hasn’t happened. The reason being that Mr C managed to stymie us by failing to obtain the wool – a task we foolishly left in his hands. So, we’ve taken it out of his hands.
Our CEO, Richard Jacobs, is a man who appreciates the value of a good woolly pully, so he’s authorised a mission to locate the necessary yarn, have the jumper knitted and ensure (on pain of the removal of hot drink privileges, if necessary) that the man of the moment is photographed in it from as many angles as possible.
The excitement at this prospect is tangible in the office.
Oh and to all those who have contacted us trying to track down a copy of the pattern, we have that in hand. It’s being scanned (with the permission of the good folk at FW) and will be emailed soon. We hope you get as much pleasure out of it as we are!
The distance our food travels is important to many people. Some of it does silly trips up and down the country going from farm, manufacturer or packer to depots spread around the country and often back again to reach stores a few 
miles from where it started.
Some of it comes from all over the world; sometimes unavoidably, sometimes just because it can be hauled in cheaper from abroad.
Organic directory website, OrganicLinker.com, has now launched a food miles calculator to allow shoppers to do a quick check of the distance produce might have racked-up to reach them. The aim, according to site owner and food miles calculator developer, Mike Sharp, is to encourage more local sourcing of food, preferably direct from the producer.
Mike told us: “People often do not fully understand the impact on the environment of buying fruit and vegetables from abroad. By buying local, not only are you helping to cut down on carbon emissions, but you are also supporting your local economy and grower.”
Of course the argument isn’t simple. It’s entirely possible that a product grown in its natural climate and transported to the UK could use less carbon than an equivalent grown here in a heated poly tunnel. But the answer to that is to buy local and seasonal. But while we’re all wrestling with how far our food-buying consciences will let us go in changing our eating habits, you can at least take a quick peek at the miles involved and decide quite how guilty you should feel!
The Independent today covers a very disappointing angle to the controversy surrounding the FSA organic report story.
I suppose we shouldn’t be overly surprised, but it seems that the report’s author, Dr Alan Dangour, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has been inundated with abusive emails and messages.
While we’ve been among the first to criticise the way this study has been focused, the conclusions it came to and the way it has been badly reported, it’s extremely sad to see that people have to make it personal and hurl vitriol at Dr Dangour.
Whether you question his approach or, as some people have, his motivations, he is entitled to publish whatever he finds to be the results of his work. If we disagree, the answer is to have our own say and perhaps some debate. But there should always be respect for everyone’s position.
Fortunately, it seems from the report that Dr Dangour is fairly sanguine about the whole affair and not letting it rattle him too much.
Organic Farmers & Growers is a leading UK organic control body i.e. we inspect and license organic food and farming - and were the first independent body in the UK approved by Government to do this!
Our blog is where we share interesting info and muse about the world. For a more formal view of OF&G, visit our website here.
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