dietary risks. The 97 percent risk reduction can
only be achieved if converting domestic cropland
to organic is coupled with
consumers choosing only
imported produce that is
certified organic.
Other findings and
information shared in the
report includes:
• Rankings of dietary risk
levels in select conven-tionally-grown fruits
and vegetables,
arranged to help guide
consumers seeking to
minimize pesticide
risks.
• Suggestions on how to
meet dietary guidelines
for fruit and vegetable
intake in the winter
(when we rely on
imports), while also
reducing pesticide
exposures.
• An overview of pesticide residues in milk.
Benbrook noted,
recent USDA pesticide
residue and food consumption surveys show
that most people consume
three to four residues daily
just through fruits and
vegetables. “Accounting
for residues in conventional milk, tap water and
other foods, the average
American exposes him or
herself to ten to 13 pesticide residues daily,” he
added.
Multiple residues are
eight-times more likely in
conventional produce
than in organic produce.
The Organic Center offers
a free download of both of
these reports at www.organic-center.org.
Plan to Attend the Spring 2008 NOSB Meeting
The National Organic Standards Board Meeting is taking place in Washington, D.C.,
May 20th through the 22nd. This is the organic community’s chance to share
information and insight that could help shape organic regulations. You’ll witness
first hand how the National Organic Standards Board works and have the
opportunity to have your voice heard regarding issues that are important to you.
Some of the topics include group site certification, aquaculture and hydroponics as well as
items petitioned for inclusion the National List. For more information, go to www.ams.usda.gov/nosb.
Organic Fashion Designers
Green and pink were the hot colors at
this year’s thinkVitality Fashion Show held
at Natural Products Expo West. Bringing
together over 20 eco-apparel designers
and other leaders in natural and organic,
the event not only put the spotlight on
sustainability with “green” clothing made
out of materials such as organic cotton
and hemp, but also helped raise money Eco-fashion from Under The Canopy
and awareness to help fight breast cancer. The eco-charity event was a success with the 18,000
square foot tent practically bursting at the seams with a capacity crowd. Even after all standing
room was taken, there was a line of people outside hoping to get in.
Strut Their Stuff For Charity
Photo: John Marciniak
“Collaboration among sustainable businesses is the key to environmental and social
change,” said Matt Reynolds, co-founder and president of Indigenous. “It’s our pleasure to
participate in an event that merges some of the most notably humanitarian companies in the
industry with such a high-impact method of delivery.”
Other green designers included Deborah Lindquist, Ecolution, Green Babies, Koi, Linda
Loudermilk, Livity International, Stewart+Brown and Under the Canopy. The sponsoring
companies of the show included Whole Foods Markets, Seventh Generation, United Natural
Foods, Inc., Ecover, Ideasphere, Giovanni Cosmetics and Kiss My Face, among others.
—contributed by Claire Greene
Green Business Conference/Green
Festival In Chicago In May
On May 14th and 15th, Co-op America’s Green Business
Network brings its seventh Green Business Conference to
Chicago’s Navy Pier. Gathering together the most powerful
minds in green business today all under one roof, the two day event offers speakers, workshops, numerous marketing opportunities, and the chance to network with others dedicated to green issues. The conference is followed by the Green Festival, the nation’s largest green consumer event, on May 17-18.
Forum Brings Together
Organic Leaders This June
The Organic Summit, a leader-level
forum for the organic industry, hosted by
the Organic Farming Research Foundation
and New Hope Media, will take place in Boulder, Colo., June 25-27. The focus this year
will be on “Cultivating Innovation and Transparency in the Organic Community," and will
include sessions on everything from eco-labels, domestic fair trade and venture philanthropy to food security and nanotechnology. For more information go to
www.theorganicsummit.com.
