What is Organic Week?
Canada’s National Organic Week is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. Annually, there are hundreds of individual events showcase the benefits of organic agriculture and its positive impact on the environment during this time. Organics represent a vibrant alternative food system and an alternative option for clothing, personal care, and cleaning products.
Many of our innovative and outstanding clients value organic claims and certification. Last year, events during Organic Week included anything from pickling workshops to recipes contests, farm tours, or organic food and drink tastings in retail locations across the country.
Why organic?
- Organic products meet strict national standards — The “Canada Organic” logo is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures and rules. Organic is the most heavily regulated and scrutinized food system in Canada.
- Reducing usage and consumption of chemicals — Many herbicides and insecticides commonly used in agriculture have been found to be carcinogenic, hormone replicators, or negative for children’s development. Choosing organic has been shown to significantly reduce your exposure to chemical residues.
- Organic farms put water consumption as a priority — Organic farmers are required to manage the land and life around water systems very carefully, and are inspected annually. By not using synthetic fertilizers and persistent toxic chemicals, organic farming is also easy on our precious water reserves, while building good soils that fight erosion.
- Organic farmers work hard to maintain harmony with nature — Organic agriculture builds healthy ecosystems, and organic farms have higher biodiversity on them and around them too: promoting sustainability and ecological balance.
- Organic methods contribute to reduction in pollution and wasted energy resources— More energy is used to produce synthetic fossil-fuel-based fertilizers than to cultivate and harvest crops or to transport food. Canadian studies have shown that organic farming practices can use as little as half the energy of other farming methods, and help to sequester carbon back into the soil.
- Organics try to protect the health of farmers and children — Farmers exposed to pesticides can have a significantly higher risk of contracting cancer compared to non-farmers. And children are exposed to relatively more than an adult is when they eat residues on their food. Choosing organic reduces the exposure for children, and the farmers who grew their food.
- Organic farmers build and replenish healthy soils — Soil is the foundation of the food chain. Organic farming is focused on using sustainable practices that build healthy soil microbiology and prevent erosion, leaving fertile land that will provide for future generations.
- Organic farming is good for rural Canadian communities — The Census of Agriculture has shown that, on average, organic farming families earn more from their farms than the typical Canadian farm does, and employ more people per farm too!
- Organic producers strive to preserve genetic diversity — The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing heirloom varieties and rare breeds of livestock for decades.
- Organic food JUST TASTES GREAT! — It’s common sense: healthy soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.
- Organic is the only non-GMO standard overseen by the Canadian government — organic standards forbid the use of GMOs in seeds, in animal feed, and in the ingredients of processed organic food and products. If you’re concerned about GMOs, Choose Canada Organic!
Need some inspiration for an event idea to show your support?
GROWERS AND GARDENERS
- Open up your farm or garden to the community and offer guided tours
- Share your growing experience with a local school or community group
- Team up with a local organic retailer to provide an educational event
- Hold an organic potluck picnic for your community
- Offer a canning or preservation workshop for eating organic year-round
RETAILERS
- Show customer appreciation and connect with your community by hosting an organic barbecue
- Showcase organic products by developing a daily “staff pick” or food tasting
- Invite an organic farmer for an education event so your customers can meet and discuss organics with the person that grows their food
- Feature organic ingredients by designing a special daily lunch menu
CHEFS
- Create a special organic week menu for the day or entire week
- Source organic wines and beers
- Offer a chef tasting event and expose your customer to locally produced organic ingredients
SCHOOLS
- Host an organic community barbeque
- Plan a school fieldtrip to an organic farm
- Sprout seeds or build a cold frame (mini greenhouse)