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May-June, 2006 Provender at 30: Call for Photos Provender at 30: Call for Photos Provender Alliance is holding its 30th Annual Educational Conference on October 5 and 6, 2006 at the Best Western Hood River Inn in Hood River, Oregon. The conference theme is 30 Years of Provender: A Celebration of Dedication. We would like to showcase our history. We need your help. We are asking you to send us photos from any and all past conferences you may have attended. We will return any item sent to us. Please send them to Provender Conference Photos, 22835 Jennie Rd., Lyons, OR, 97358. In addition to the conference, there will be events to participate in on Wednesday, October 4. We are hoping to include tours of a few manufacturers in the area as an optional activity. In addition, Equal Exchange is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has offered to host a pre-conference reception for anyone wishing to attend. We are encouraging conference attendees to arrive on Wednesday since the conference begins with breakfast on Thursday. Mark your caledars and save the date. We look forward to welcoming you to our 30th anual celebration! —from Organically Grown Company, www.organicgrown.com On April 8, more than 400 participants in the organic produce trade attended Organically Grown Company’s Vendor Faire 2006 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. The location of the event carried its own significance; designed by the City of Vancouver and Hilton, the building will be one of the first LEED certified hotels in the world. It has been estimated that 15% of the organic produce trade in the United States takes place in the Pacific Northwest. The retailers, wholesalers, home delivery enterprises and restaurants represented at the Vendor Faire carry out most of that trade, while the vendors present represented most of the high volume/high quality organic growing operations in the western U.S. and Mexico. Vendor Faire 2006 was designed as a small-scale affair compared with other trade shows. Participants were informed that the goal was to provide “both a huge and a small event – huge in impact but small in scale, more like a campfire gathering than a convention, designed to a scale that allows and encourages the opportunity to grow relationships.” Happenings included 5 ½ hours of floorshow, 4 vendor presentations and numerous social events that allowed for what David Lively, OGC’s Marketing Director, described as “an opportunity to talk extensively about farms and farming and food”. The day began with a full breakfast followed by a presentation by Mayra Velazquez de Leon, of Organics Unlimited. Mayra took the audience on a power point tour of banana production and discussed the G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) program she established in 2005. Bananas carrying the G.R.O.W. sticker are purchased by wholesalers and retailers for a premium, which is used to assist the communities where Organics Unlimited produces bananas. The projects that have received funding from G.R.O.W. so far include a financial contribution toward the purchase of a day care center; a program that helps children attend school; and a socio-economic study on worker conditions by University of Colima. Following Mayra’s presentation, the Faire opened for action while some people attended a second presentation, “Who is Cal-Organic and What is a Grimmway?” Following an introduction by OGC’s Senior Account Representative, Tom Lively, that bordered on a roast, Todd Linsky, Director of Organic Sales, discussed the history of Cal-Organic – generally recognized as the premier organic vegetable farm in the U.S. since 1984– the company’s acquisition Grimmway, and the challenges and rewards experienced by such a high-profile operation. At noon, the Faire shut down to allow everyone – even vendors not used to such treatment – to eat an excellent lunch and hear Natalie Reitman-White discuss the efforts that are underway to move “beyond organic” in the produce trade. The effort was kicked off in March 2005 when OGC hosted a “Sustainability Summit” where sustainability was explored as the next frontier for the organic movement. Since the summit Reitman-White has been working with businesses from across the trade to co-author a Declaration of Sustainability in the Organic Produce Trade that clearly outlines the vision they are committed to working toward. The Declaration has been vetted at many trade shows over the last year in an effort to build a truly grassroots trade-wide movement. By the summer of 2006 organizers hope to have enough consensus built around the Declaration to ask for sign-on. The initial goal is to have 500 businesses sign-on to the Declaration in order to leverage the financial support needed to develop a program to assist businesses across the trade adopt sustainable business practices. Early afternoon and the action really heated up. The buzz in the room was nearly physical as OGC’s employees and accounts roamed up and down the aisles and through “Bugtown”, in their quest to meet and learn from the amazing agriculturists waiting for them. Produce, “naked” and packaged, was on display everywhere. Several booths provided fruit juices; Shasta View provided shots of wheat grass; and “Now We’re Talking Demos” gave accounts a sample of what they’ll get if they coordinate demos with OGC. Visiting “Bugtown” required passage beneath a tall arch of LADYBUG produce boxes. Inside, a circle of 20 farm booths met the visitor. Each of these farms, located in the Pacific Northwest and producing certified organic crops, packs for OGC’s LADYBUG brand. It was the first time so many “Bug” growers had gathered in one spot, and by the end of the day most of them were tired but exhilarated by their reception. Shortly after the floor shut down at 4 P.M., a spontaneous applause rose from the room, to the deep satisfaction of the OGC employees who had worked so hard for several months to envision and realize the event. Meanwhile, presentations continued upstairs, where Maureen Royal and Holly Helton of CF Fresh – OGC’s single largest vendor - discussed the history of their company, their product lines (primarily hard fruit and Canadian vegetables), and their sustainability work. Immediately following Maureen and Holly’s talk, David Lively discussed the past, present and future of the LADYBUG brand. His presentation ended with a silent parade of farm and farmer photos, accompanied by pearls of wisdom from the growers shown on the screen. When your profession is growing, marketing or preparing great food, you should certainly be met with the same at trade events. Fortunately, Vendor Faire 2006 featured excellent meals prepared by the Hilton staff with organic ingredients, including a considerable volume of produce donated by attending vendors. Seldom has the organic community been served by chefs and staff so excited by the opportunity to work with organic foods; seldom has the organic community eaten so well at a trade event. (In the humble opinion of one organizer, only the meals at Provender Conferences, created under the guidance of John Koch, come close to those served at the Faire.) Saturday night provided one last opportunity for attendees to relax and relate, while enjoying a family-style dinner and entertainment, before fading into the night and preparing for the often-long journeys that took people home on Sunday. Throughout the event, “next year” was heard as a frequent refrain, leaving OGC’s staff with the challenge of seeing whether they can top such success in a future event that might take the lessons learned this year and apply them on a larger scale that allows even more participation by the growers and marketers who make the organic produce trade in the Pacific Northwest the magnificent thing it is. —from Organic Bytes, Issue #77, March 14, 2006, www.organicconsumers.org A new study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals kids who drink just one sweetened beverage per day can pile on an average of 15 pounds of additional fat per year, in comparison to children who drink nonsweetened beverages. For more information, visit www.organicconsumers.org/school/study2.cfm —By Caple Melton, Community Outreach and Membership Services Coordinator, Central Co-op’s Madison Market, www.madisonmarket.com Saturday, March 25, Central Co-op’s Madison Market lost two gorgeous family members in the Capitol Hill shooting tragedy: Jeremy Martin and Jason Travers. Jeremy Martin was hired September 7, 2001 as a grocery clerk, a position he held until he was promoted to Beer and Wine In-Store Ad Writer (October 2003). Most, however, remember Jeremy as our charismatic Beer and Wine Coordinator, a position he occupied from February 2004 through February 25, 2005, before leaving the co-op to pursue a career as a wine salesman with New Zealand Pure. Jason worked as both a grocery and front-end clerk between January 2000 and June 2003, eventually opting for substitute status. October 2003, he began regularly working as a point-of-sale clerk and a grocery clerk. Jason separated from our organization September 3, 2005. Both Jeremy and Jason are remembered as beautiful spirits who inspired all of those with who they worked, loved, and played. Their impact upon our communities was substantial as evidenced by a tremendous outpouring of support (emotional, spiritual, and financial) from our customers, distributors, member-owners, and vendors. As of April 1, folks contributed more than $4,000 to our Martin and Travers Memorial Fund, the balance of which is being allocated to expenses identified by the surviving families. During this time of reflection and mourning, we are reminded of the importance of cooperation. This tragedy has birthed a renewed sense of the collective as people commit to sustaining the safety and welfare of their community. Thank you to all who have supported our workers and peace to those who are grieving. Lane County Businesses Form Alliance —by Brad Averill, owner, Wildtime Foods, www.wildtime.com The natural foods businesses in Eugene and Lane County, Oregon, are organizing themselves for mutual support and to provide a point of contact between this industry segment and the governments of Eugene and Lane County. Called the Willamette Valley Sustainable Foods Alliance, it held its first general membership meeting on April 6. With over 60 people attending, there was a great deal of excitement about what can be done together to improve each other’s business success and to make Eugene an even better place to live. The Alliance’s mission is to ‘promote natural food businesses [in Lane County] through relationships, education and sustainable business practices.’ Alliance activities are conducted according to a primary set of value that include integrity, respect, honesty, health, community, sustainability, transparency and openness. Among Alliance goals are:
Attendees spent the evening looking at the initial goals and brainstorming about how to make them happen. Gavin McComas, the owner of Sundance Foods, ended the evening with an inspiring talk about what we have been and what we could be. If you are a Lane County business working in the natural foods community and want to join, contact any of the following board members: Siri Pritam Khalsa (Golden Temple Foods, 541.461.2160), Nancy Hamren (Springfield Creamery, 541.689.2911), Paul Fuller (Sweet Creek Foods, 541.935.1615), Brad Averill (Wildtime Foods, 541.747.1654), Charlie Tilt (Honey Heaven, 541.686.0921) or Bill Klupenger (Lane Community College, 541.463.4614). Beyond Pesticides Holds Dinner and Forum —from Beyond Pesticides, www.beyondpesticides.org On Thursday, May 18, 2006, Beyond Pesticides will host its 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Washington, DC. The event will feature an evening of organic food and drink, distinguished speakers and honorees, and live music to help celebrate 25 years of grassroots action. Following the Thursday evening dinner and celebration, the 24th National Pesticide Forum will convene, May 19-20, 2006 at the RFF Conference Center. The Forum will feature presentations by researchers, authors, activists and elected officials, and is a great opportunity for grassroots networking. Gala honorees include Theo Colborn, Ph.D., director of the Endocrine Disruption Exchange and a former senior scientist at the World Wildlife Fund. Her research on endocrine disruptors led to co-authorship of Our Stolen Future; Norma Grier, executive director of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP), an organization that she founded with others in 1977. For more than three decades she has been a grassroots leader in reducing and eliminating unnecessary pesticide use; and Rep. Rush Holt, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. He has been a tireless advocate for children’s environmental health, an original sponsor of the School Environment Protection Act. Gala host and presenters include Ed Begley, Jr. actor and activist, and Sandra Steingraber, ecologist, author and cancer survivor. For more information about the event visit www.beyondpesticides.org/forum. —from Food & Water Watch, www.fwwatch.org The second spoof of the Matrix movies was released March 30 with Meatrix II: Revolting. It brings an important message to food buyers nationwide— manure and deceit might just lurk beneath the packaging of dairy products in your shopping cart. The cliffhanger sequel to the award-winning Meatrix movie takes on another facet of the factory farm industry, exposing the ugly truth behind factory dairy farms. The film’s companion site includes The Meatrix 360 Interactive, an animated educational tool with more than 20 hot buttons linking to resource pages that offer in-depth information about factory farm issues. The three characters, Moopheus, Leo, and Chickity, embark on a new adventure when Leo is taken to a factory dairy farm. On his trip, he learns firsthand the ugly truth about how the animals are raised, what they eat, the hormones and antibiotics they are injected with, and their unsanitary living conditions. The trio finds that these dairy factories create enormous amounts of waste that pollute the surrounding land, water and air. The Meatrix II: Revolting was produced by Sustainable Table (www.sustainabletable.org) and Free Range Studios (www.freerangestudios.com). Sustainable Table works to promote sustainable food and includes the Eat Well Guide (www.eatwellguide.org), an online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from the US and Canada. Visit www.themeatrix2.com. —from Vashon Island Earthfair, www.islandearthfair.com The 10th Annual Vashon Island Earthfair will be held August 4 – 6, 2006 at Paradise Ridge Park on Vashon Island, Washington. This annual event will exist for three days in a beautiful outdoor setting to celebrate our role as caretakers of the earth. It will be an educational summit that reflects a holistic and positive vision for the future. We will provide a lively atmosphere of music and celebration for a summit of caring people that will join together to light the flame of consciousness and planetary transformation. We invite musicians and artists from diverse cultural backgrounds throughout the Northwest and beyond to share their talents over the three day event. We celebrate our families and invite children of all ages, encouraging them to visit our Kidsworld, where we have creative activities for kids that involve their imagination along with great interactive demonstrations from past special guests such as the Reptile Man and the Bubbleman. Featured will be workshops, speakers and demonstrations that relate to the environment, spirit, holistic health, natural living, yoga, vegetarianism, sustainable agriculture, ecology, and recycling. Our intent is to provide education and engage support for a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle. Let us promote and celebrate a new cultural style that reflects solutions of consciousness and cooperation. For more information visit www.islandearthfair.org or contact susan@islandearthfair.com or by phone at 206.463.1725. —by Colleen Haskell, Pacific Natural Sales, www.pacnatsales.com Pacific Natural Sales lost their friend and leader, Steve Waker in early April. Steve will be remembered for his kind, gentle soul and for the generous person he was. Steve is survived by his wife Jan, his daughters Melissa and Michelle, son in law Rob and grandson Chandler. Steve started in the Natural Foods industry in 1972 as a vitamin sales rep for Plus Products. In 1985 he started Pacific Natural Sales with his life and business partner Jan. Over the years, he was fortunate to represent many lines that made a difference in our world. He was proud to work with them. Steve was a supportive member of Provender for over 15 years. In following Steve’s wishes the company will continue to grow and support companies that portray the high values that Provender represents. He will always be missed. Organic Demand Outpacing Supply —from ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Weekly Harvest Newsletter, March 1, 2006, www.ncat.org Domestic supply of organic products can’t keep up with the steady increase in consumer demand, says the Chesapeake Bay Journal. As a result, the United States spends about $1 billion each year to import organic food, according to the USDA. The primary source of the imported organics is the European Union, whose organic farms outnumber the United States 14 to 1. Fewer U.S. farmers have made the transition to organic production for several reasons, says the article, including strict organic standards, the perception of reduced production and income, and increased costs. To read the entire article, visit www.bayjournal.com and search the March 2006 issue. Darigold Announces r-BGH-Free Yogurt —from Campaign for Safe Food, www.oregonpsr.org Darigold has confirmed that it is producing all of its yogurt without rBGH. The Seattle-based dairy processor has contracted with the Auburn Dairy, in Auburn, Washington, to produce its yogurt. Almost all the packaging is now labeled rBGH-free, and all of it will be once the current inventory of packaging is used up. Also, Darigold has launched a major radio advertising campaign highlighting the fact that its yogurt is rBGH-free. The announcement in late February comes on the heels of Darigold’s decision late last year to turn its Portland processing plant for milk completely rBGH-free, thus starting a line of rBGH-free milk. The co-op is taking a step-by-step approach in moving away from the use of this genetically engineered hormone. They have received hundreds of post cards from our campaign urging them to go rBGH-free and they are trying to be responsive to their customers. We’d prefer they go all the way and make a company-wide policy against the drug. However, we applaud these steps they have taken in the right direction and hope they will keep going. —from CCOF, www.ccof.org CCOF, North America’s oldest and largest organic certifier, has released its 2006 Organic Directory. The directory is a comprehensive listing of CCOF’s certified organic clients, products, service providers and trade association members. This year’s directory includes more than 850 organic products from ranging from wine to almonds and a 27% increase in organic acreage. During the last year CCOF saw an acreage increase of 40,000 acres bringing CCOF’s certified total to more than 218,000 acres. There are also more than 100 new organic businesses listed in this year’s edition including farms, processors, and traders. These businesses supply organic goods and services ranging from raw agricultural commodities to value added processes products such as tomato sauce and pizzas. All are certified organic by CCOF to USDA National Organic Program standards in CCOF’s long tradition of strict adherence to organic integrity. A new feature in 2006 includes expanded listings and descriptions of CCOF’s more than 200 trade association members. These supporting members provide a variety of goods and services to the organic industry including pest control, marketing, and other services. This year’s directory also features comprehensive statistics on CCOF’s certification activities and a guide to CCOF’s online resources. The CCOF directory is a resource for businesses or consumers sourcing organic products or wishing to learn more about the variety of organic products available in the marketplace. The CCOF 2006 Organic Directory is available online at www.ccof.org in both print and CD formats and at organic trade events throughout the United States. For more information, conatct CCOF at 831.423.2263 or visit www.ccof.org. Western Montana Growers Develop ‘Homegrown’ Label —from ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Weekly Harvest Newsletter, April 19, 2006, www.ncat.org A group of 12 organic farmers in Western Montana have developed a “Homegrown” label to certify that food is locally and sustainably raised, according to an article on New West. Western Montana Sustainable Growers Union members will sign a pledge to use sustainable practices and to market their products within a 150-mile radius. The label is designed to foster a closer relationship between growers and their customers within the local community, in place of the impersonal third-party certification of the National Organic Program. To read the entire article, visit www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/7778/C8/L8. —from WhiteWave/Horizon, www.horizonorganic.com At Horizon Organic converting as many acres as possible to organic practices, partnering with family farmers, and providing nutritious organic dairy products to millions of consumers is not just our business – it is our mission. A critical reflection of that mission: our Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) program. HOPE, founded in 2001, encourages family farmers to convert to organic production and supports them in this process. A critical reflection of that mission: our Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) program. HOPE, founded in 2001, encourages family farmers to convert to organic production and supports them in this process. Our HOPE program commitment includes:
The impact of HOPE is as plain and vital as the soil beneath us:
Working together with farms across America, we will fulfill the mission of bringing the benefits of organic products and organic agriculture to more people in more places than ever before. This is our HOPE for the future. For more information about Horizon and its programs, visit www.horizonorganic.com. Lost Valley Offers Certificate Program —from Lost Valley Educational Center, www.lostvalley.org Lost Valley Educational Center is offering its annual Ecovillage and Permaculture Certificate Program at the Center in Dexter, Oregon. The summer session will be held June 26 - August 18 and the fall program from October 2 -27, 2006. This dynamic residential program provides a holistic introduction to ecovillages, in addition to a full permaculture design certificate course. Students may receive academic or internship credits. Subjects will include: Ecological Landscape Design, Ecovillage Site Design, Organic Gardening, Ecobuilding, Personal Growth and Community Connection, Ecoforestry, Intentional Communities, and Renewable Energy. Instructors and Presenters include: Diana Leafe Christian, Editor, Communities Magazine, Rick Valley, permaculture instructor and designer, Joshua Smith, ecological landscape designer, Tree Bressen, facilitator and consensus trainer, Mark Lakeman, founder of City Repair, Portland Oregon, Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden, Rob Bolman, founder of Maitreya Ecovillage, Marc Tobin, MCRP, ecovillage approach to community planning, Jude Hobbs, permaculture instructor and landscape designer, and many more. For more information and details on the program, please visit www.lostvalley.org/epcp or contact Keli Lindelian at Lost Valley, epcp@lostvalley.org or by phone at 541.937.3351 x 112. —from Western SAWG listserve, www.westernsawg.org Join lavender growers and enthusiasts from across the country and around the world at the 3rd North American Lavender Conference in Sequim, Washington on July 17 and 18, 2006. If you’re interested in growing lavender, distilling lavender oil, making lavender products, marketing lavender, or simply utilizing this amazing, fragrant herb in your home, garden, or otherwise, you don’t want to miss this conference. Featured speakers for 2006 include: Virginia McNaughton, international lavender authority, author of the book, Lavender: The Grower’s Guide, and operator of Lavender Downs, a lavender farm in New Zealand; Brian Lawrence, a world-renowned expert on lavender oil and other essential oils; Ellen Spector Platt, author of numerous books on herbs, including the book, Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb; and Andy Van Hevelingen, author, lavender breeder and operator of a wholesale lavender nursery in Oregon. In addition to these featured speakers the conference will feature numerous additional workshops on practical aspects of growing, utilizing, marketing and appreciating lavender. The conference is co-sponsored by the Sequim Lavender Growers Association and Washington State University Extension. For detailed information about the conference schedule, speakers, or to register, please visit www.lavenderconference.com. You can also call toll-free 877.681.3035 or e-mail info@lavenderconference.com with questions about registering for the conference. You may also register by phone.
Provender Alliance
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