Georgia cooperative forms to market organic peanuts

After the non-profit Georgia Organics launched around 2013, calls started coming in weekly from U.S. peanut roasters eager to source organic peanuts. “It wasn’t just that they wanted organic peanuts,” said Perri Campis, a member of the organization’s Farmer Services program. “They specifically asked for organic peanuts from Georgia. I hated having to tell them […]

New method developed to detect organic fraud

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new approach that helps public agencies and commercial interests combat fraudulently-labeled organic foods. By looking at how organic plants are fertilized, the method provides a deeper, more accurate portrayal of whether organic labeled produce is indeed organic. According to experts, imported organic fruits and vegetables are […]

Grain growers seek Irish ban on palm and GMO feed products

In addition, the grain could contain pesticides Ireland has banned for years. “Irish supermarketsshould lead the way and plan to clear their shelves of palm kernels, palm oil, GMO soya [byproducts] and GMO maize-related products within a year,” the group said. Irish grain farmers, concerned about the decline of tillage acreage as well as global […]

After 10 Years of Rapid Growth, What Does Organic Mean Today?

Organic food means many different things to many people. Some point to organic certification as the gold standard to reducing the environmental impacts of farming while ensuring that farmers make a living wage. Some see it as a healthier way to eat. Still others see it as elite, divisive, or watered-down. But one thing is […]

A decade of pesticides, GMOs, and alternatives to chemical-intensive farming

Four experts discuss how the last 10 years have seen an increase in pesticides—and crops bred to resist them—even as consumer concerns have mounted.