2009 a Special Information Supplement OF1

THE GLOBE AND MAIL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 A special information supplement OF1 A healthy, growing industry Organic foods nce seen as a niche cat- pre-packaged organic products and antioxidants in food can egory confined to farm- and organic dairy. help protect against disease, The Canadian industry sees a wealth of O ers markets and health A number of factors are and it’s proven that these are opportunity in the growing demand for organic, food stores, organic foods have driving more consumers to present in higher levels in hit the mainstream. While the buy organic foods, say indus- organics.” but there are challenges. Even though more sector has experienced its chal- try experts, including the ben- Mr. Hirshberg agrees that lenges along the way, a num- efits of chemical-free and sus- environmental concerns are Canadian producers are moving to organic, ber of healthy developments tainable farming and a desire another key motivator. “It was suggest the future of organic among Canadians to support the environment that drew me Canadians’ demand for organic food is far foods is bright. smaller producers. The organ- to the organic business. I was Statistically, the Canadian ic standards’ commitment to studying climate change and outpacing the Canadian supply. organic food market has animal welfare is another moti- discovered there is an enor- grown at least 20 per cent vator. mous carbon footprint to con- Learn more at www.organicbiologique.ca annually for the past several According to a 2008 sur- ventional agriculture, and that years. Today, total sales in vey of organic food consumers organic production offers envi- Canada are estimated at by the OTA in Canada and ronmental advantages.” would like to see more Cana- bridge from conventional to oilseeds, for example, but $2 billion a year, with 41 per the Canadian Organic Grow- The Canadian industry dian product on the market,” organic production.” access to foreign markets has cent in conventional grocery ers (COG) however, their pri- sees a wealth of opportunity in says Roger Eacock, president Canada is also in the early been limited by the lack of stores. mary reason for choosing the expanding demand for of the SunOpta Distribution stages of developing new stan- organic regulations in this “Organic food is reaching organic was “Family health,” organic, but hurdles remain. Group. SunOpta, a Canadian dards for non-food organic country. Now, Canada and the a critical mass in the market- with concern for the environ- Even though more Canadian company, is one of the largest products, such as personal care U.S. have signed an equivalen- place, and the growth trends ment ranking a close second. producers are moving to organic food companies in and natural health products cy agreement, and a similar show it’s not going away,” says Gary Hirshberg is CEO of organic — with certified organ- the world. Its annual rev- and textiles, and eventually the deal with the European Union Matthew Holmes, managing Stonyfield Farm, a leading ic farms in the country reach- enues total $1 billion, half government will need to also may be close. director of the Organic Trade manufacturer of organic ing a record high of 3,782 in from sales of organic prod- regulate these products to “The U.S. organic sales Association (OTA) in Canada. yogurt that operates in partner- 2007 – Canadian demand for ucts. “We purchase locally assure consumers there is only market is 14 times the size of “And with this year’s launch of ship with Danone Canada. organic food is far outpacing wherever we can, but we one “organic” in the market- Canada’s, and Europe’s is larg- federally regulated organic Evidence of the health benefits the domestic supply. have to import to meet con- place. This will create further er,” says Mr. Holmes. “Gain- standards, the stage is set for of organic food is increasing, For example, even though sumer demand,” Mr. Eacock opportunities for growth, says ing access to those markets greater consumer confidence says Mr. Hirshberg, and con- business is brisk for local pro- says. “At the same time, we Mr. Eacock. will have a huge impact on in certified organic foods and sumers are paying attention. ducers such as Stonyfield want to help our domestic Beyond Canada’s borders, domestic production, and that further growth in demand.” “At long last, we are get- Farm, which in its case has sector reach its potential, so the global marketplace awaits. means more organic farmers Fresh vegetables and fruits ting some clinical data that seen sales double annually for we provide transitional sup- Canada is a strong and more environmental bene- are the most popular con- incontrovertibly shows that the past several years, Canada port to Canadian growers to exporter of organic grains and fits here in Canada.” sumer choice, accounting for you can get closer to balanced still relies on imports to meet approximately 38 per cent of diets with organic foods,” he up to 80 per cent of domestic organic foods sold in grocery says. “And consumers are demand for organic foods. stores. The Canadian market- now hearing medical experts “As distributors of organic place is also seeing growth in say that omega-3 fatty acids products in Canada, we LocallyLoocallocaoccallyly MadMMa Madeadeadde Organic farming and the environment By Derek Lynch Organic farms also appear to Canada Research Chair in harbour more plant species Organic Agriculture, Nova than those in conventional Scotia Agricultural College systems, and they have a rich- Organic Meadow milk, eggs and grains come from over ness and abundance in birds 100 family farms in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia, and insect pollinators. This is tatistics Canada’s significant in a period when bringing you locally-produced organic food of the highest quality. Human Activity and the colony collapse disorder and S Environment describes other challenges are dramati- the environmental footprint of cally reducing bee populations Canadian farming. Agricultur- relied upon by all agriculture. al lands represent roughly 7 relies on fossil fuel-based fer- Energy use is lower in per cent of Canada: the same tilizers? What is the long-term organic agriculture. A 12-year ribbon inhabited by most of impact of diminished plant, Manitoba study found energy our human population and animal, bird and insect diver- use was 50 per cent lower over 500 species of wildlife, sity both for farming and for under organic management, many at risk. Unfortunately, the planet? When we shop for while other research has viable on-farm habitat shrunk groceries, aren’t the costs of found a 30 per cent reduction Look for these by 5 per cent between 1981 our agriculture just as impor- in energy inputs. and 2001, becoming even less tant as the price of our food? Studies into various forms and other quality welcoming to wildlife. If the true costs of food pro- of farming have found that Organic Meadow Agriculture also con- duction were internalized to no-till and organic methods products in your tributes to global warming. include environmental have the lowest global warm- Close to 9 per cent of Cana- impact, the food we buy in ing potential. These methods local grocery or da’s greenhouse gas budget is shops today would be signifi- pull carbon out of the atmos- ﬁne food market. related to food production, cantly more expensive and phere and “sequester” it back and agricultural greenhouse organic farming would into the soil. Because they gas emissions rose 25 per cent become a bigger part of avoid the use of fossil fuel- between 1990 and 2006. everyday life. based fertilizers, organic farms Meanwhile, between 1971 and Scientific evidence shows also emit less nitrous oxide 2006 fertilizer use increased that organic farming has solu- and other greenhouse gases. across the country, with a 381 tions to these problems. Cana- Consumers and policy- per cent spike in the Prairie da’s Organic Standards makers have a responsibility EveryEEvery timetime you purchasepurchaseaqu a qualityality OrganicOrganic MeadowMeadow proproduct,duct, ecozone, while herbicide use require that farmers follow to demand more information yoyou’reu’re h helpingelpiing our f familyamily f farmersarmers gi giveive b backack t too t thehe l landand th throughrough jumped 190 per cent between fundamental organic princi- about how food is produced susustainablestainable fa farmingrming pr practices.actices. Y You’reou’rre al alsoso h helpingelping O Organicrganic M Meadoweadow 1970 and 2006. ples of environmental sustain- and what it costs our environ- givegive backback to thethe community.community. The increase of intensive ability, which promote biodi- ment. We must begin the agriculture over the past 40 versity, minimize erosion, work of bringing our agricul- AsAf partpara t of ourour strongstrong socialsocial l mission,i i OrganicOOMdi MeadowM dbf supports a number of years has greatly expanded recycle renewable resources, tural and environmental pub- worthwhile charities - including The Stop/Green Barn in Toronto, the Farmers’ the risk and incidence of con- decrease pollution and lic policy goals together. The Helpline, Second Harvest, the Guelph Family Shelter, and a co-op development tamination of surface and increase soil fertility through role organic farming can play in Gambia, Africa, and others. That’s something we can all feel good about! ground waters by fertilizers non-chemical means. in uniting these two important and pesticides. This is hap- Organic farming has arenas remains to be seen, but pening even though we know proven benefits for soil quali- a growing body of scientific that it costs society more to ty, plant and wildlife diversity, research suggests organic clean up our environment reduced energy use and nutri- farming has much to con- than it costs us to use appro- ent runoff, and climate tribute.

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