Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.Organic food production is legally regulated. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.Historically, organic farms have been relatively small family-run farms — which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. Meanwhile, it is becoming much more widely available, with market growth rates of around 20% a year since the early 1990s, far ahead of the rest of the food industry, in both developed and developing nations. As of today organic food accounts for 1-2% of food sales worldwide. In the future, growth is expected to range from 10-50% annually depending on the country. (see facts and statistics below)

WWOOF is an acronym for a number of different phrases, the most apt of which in my mind is “World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms”. It is an international organization (located in over 70 countries) of organic farms, gardens, businesses, ranches, (you name it) where you can exchange your services for accommodations, food, and training.

(PDF WARNING) Not only is this eliminating the consumer choice to buy organinc non pasteurized (irradiated) food, but the equipment necessary for pasteurizing in this manner is so expensive that only large corporate owned farms will be able to stay in business. A clear move to eliminate small farms and consolidate the food sources in the U.S.

At the recent two day multiforum, held by the International Labour Organization, Nestle tried to weasel out of discussions by vetoing the IUF and pushing it's own business propaganda. Read the full story by clicking on the above link.

Susie Willis, founder of Plum, is announced as winner of the Woman in Business category at the prestigious Start Up Awards

The upcoming 2007 Kaohsiung Food Show, which focuses on southern Taiwan specialties, has aroused the interest of many international buyers, a spokesman for the fair's organizer said yesterday. The fair will be held at the Kaohsiung Business Exhibition Center in the southern port city of Kaohsiung from Nov. 8-11. It was organized by the Taiwan Ex