Signature
PHOTO: LEANDRO CHAVIRA
Today, there is a quite literally a world of opportunity for the organic in- dustry.
As the chemical-based “green” revolution leads to more and more envi-
ronmental degradation—leaving many still poor and hungry—the world
has started to look for more sustainable solutions. With this growing global
shift in consciousness, international leadership groups
including the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development and the Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion are pointing to organic agriculture as an impor-
tant, multifunctional solution to deal not only with
environmental issues, but social and economic crises as
well.
On a continent-by-continent and country-by-country
basis, this global organic awakening is evidenced by the
rising numbers of hectares under organic cultivation—
which increased worldwide by 9 percent in 2008 alone,
according to The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics
and Emerging Trends 2010, a report developed by the International Federa-
tion of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Our cover article breaks
down where this growth is taking place and addresses both the obstacles to
and the opportunities for future growth—from dealing with competing
seals and standards, to ensuring safe, socially responsible supply from devel-
oping countries.
While importing is nothing new to many U.S.-based organic companies,
most have yet to fully explore the opportunity of exporting. This is mainly
because of the plethora of different standards that they have to sort out to
do so. But great strides are being taken toward streamlining organic
trade—and in Dialogue we discuss these in detail with Bob Anderson and
Katherine DiMatteo, who are working with the Organic Trade Association
on research and negotiation projects throughout the world. With the
Canada-U.S. equivalency agreement serving as a shining example of what is
possible, doors are beginning to open.
As companies explore more of the global marketplace, it’s important to
ensure that your organic business remains mindful of its social and environmental impact—this becomes even more essential when working with developing countries. Indigenous Designs, featured in Enterprise, is a great
example of a company that has stayed true to its mission while growing a
successful business that works with impoverished communities. Uniting organic principles with a fair trade model, the company’s founders have created an opportunity for success not only for themselves, but for the artisans
they work with as well.
When you look at the organic movement from a global perspective, the
opportunities are endless. But as inventor Thomas Alva Edison said, “
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and
looks like work.” Getting the organic movement to a place where it can really change the world will indeed be a lot of work—but the organic industry
has never been one to shy away from putting on some overalls.
Chief Executive Officer Don Meeker
Publisher Stacy Atchison
Advertising Manager Bobby Meeker
Editorial Director Kathryn Schuett
Art Director Craig Van Wechel
Circulation Manager Andrea Karges
Sales Assistant Allison Demmert
Office Manager Vicki Martin
Publishing Office 1945 W. Mountain St.
Glendale, CA 91201
Phone 310.745.0941
Fax 310.745.0997
info@organicprocessing.com
Editorial Office 1221 E. Laguna Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone 480.240.0932
kat@organicprocessing.com
Production Office 1113 Ellis Street
Fort Collins, CO;80524
Phone 970.484.4488
craig@organicprocessing.com
Advertising Sales
Stacy Atchison 310.745.0941
stacy@organicprocessing.com
Bobby Meeker 818.842.2829
bobby@organicprocessing.com
Adam Haas 407.601.5440
adam@organicprocessing.com
Printed on recycled paper.
Organically Yours,
Kat Schuett
Editorial Director
Organic Processing (USPS 024-104) is published
bimonthly by The Target Group Inc.,
1945 W. Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201;
Phone 310.745.0941; Fax 310.745.0997; E-mail
info@organicprocessing.com. Periodicals postage
paid at Glendale, CA and at additional mailing
offices. Subscriptions: Free to qualified readers as
defined on the subscription card. All other U.S.
subscriptions, $10 per issue.
Change of Address: Notices should be sent
providing old mailing label as well as new address.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Organic
Processing, 1945 W. Mountain St., Glendale, CA
91201. © 2010 by The Target Group Inc. All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without
written permission is strictly prohibited. The publishers do not warrant, either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles or
descriptions herein, nor do they so warrant any
views or opinions offered by the authors of said
articles and descriptions.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Organic Processing
provides an independent forum for
the exchange of practical and
relevant information, ideas and ex-
perience that will promote and sus-
tain the growth of organic
processing from seed to shelf.
6
ORGANIC PROCESSING
