Organic Insider Newsletter Archive

The Struggle of Young Companies Who Want to Go Organic and a Call to the Industry for Help

Jul 06, 2018

Trade Shows

By helping young companies become certified organic, not only will it drive demand for organic raw materials, but it will discourage them from going down the path of simply being an “all natural” or “Non-GMO” brand. The entire organic ecosystem benefits in every regard, including farmers.

Quick Hits: 4 items

Linked Articles: 11 items

Deadline to Comment on GMO-Labeling Standards is Tonight at Midnight

Jul 03, 2018

GMOs

The deadline to comment to the USDA about the proposed GMO-labeling standards is tonight at 11:59pm EST. The standards have many problems and are very confusing and misleading to consumers.

June 2018

Organic Insider from the Second Quarter of 2018

Jun 27, 2018

This week, we do a review of all of the Organic Insider newsletters from the past quarter. Topics such as fraud in organic, the changing nature of the National Organic Standards Board, and the marketing of organic products all received a tremendous amount of attention.

Quick Hits: 9 items

Linked Articles: 9 items

Utter Incompetence at the USDA Has Betrayed American Farmers and Consumers

Jun 20, 2018

With The Cornucopia Institute having just released a blockbuster report on fraudulent imported organic grains, we take a look at who is responsible for this situation, how it can be rectified, and how it will impact the integrity of organic.

Quick Hits: 8 items

Linked Articles: 7 items

Getting Clear on "Organic Marijuana"

Jun 13, 2018

CBD / Cannabis

If you’ve been confused by seeing the terms “organic marijuana”, “organic cannabis” or “organic pot” lately, you are not alone. We set the record straight on what terms are allowed to be used and discuss which states and organizations are certifying "clean" cannabis.

Quick Hits: 7 items

Linked Articles: 12 items

Why The Real Organic Project Holds Such Promise

Jun 06, 2018

The Real Organic Project could end up being an incredibly important valuable program for both organic farmers and consumers. More specifically, it will address two main areas of organic that the USDA is falling short -- two areas that are having a real negative impact on the integrity of the organic seal.

Quick Hits: 7 items

Linked Articles: 7 items

May 2018

The Incredibly Challenging Endeavor of Marketing Regenerative Products to Consumers

May 30, 2018

Add-On Certifications

Arguably, regenerative will be the most important theme in the organic industry for the next ten years because our environment, our farms and our food supply are so dependent on soil becoming healthier. Given its importance, organic brands need to take into account two specific considerations when marketing regenerative products to consumers.

Quick Hits: 5 items

Linked Articles: 8 items

Interpreting the 2017 U.S. Organic Industry Sales Numbers

May 23, 2018

The 2017 U.S. organic industry sales figures were just reported last week, and the sector's 6.4% growth was described as "maturing." Having trouble accepting that "maturing" is the right word, I take a look at what exactly the numbers were showing, what might be missing, and the risk that the industry is facing.

Quick Hits: 6 items

Linked Articles: 7 items

The USDA Killed the Organic Check-Off Program. Here’s the Real Opportunity Now.

May 16, 2018

Despite the outcry from many people in the industry that the organic checkoff was rejected by the USDA, support for this program was absolutely not unanimous. I discuss how the rejection of the checkoff could actually present a result far better than anyone could have imagined.

Quick Hits: 10 items

Linked Articles: 8 items

What the Proposed GMO-Labeling Standards Seem to be Telling Us

May 09, 2018

GMOs

As the eagerly awaited proposed GMO-labeling standards were released last week -- also known as the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard -- the most interesting aspect of these regulations was what they did not say. I discuss what may be really happening behind closed doors.

Quick Hits: 5 items

Linked Articles: 8 items

At the National Organic Standards Board Meeting in Arizona, Addressing Fraud Was a Clear Priority

May 02, 2018

At Organic Insider, we have been covering the issue of fraud in organic extensively over the past year and have been extremely concerned about it. Yet, what took place at the National Organic Standards Board meeting in Arizona made me feel very optimistic about things. Here is why.

Quick Hits: 9 items

Linked Articles: 9 items

April 2018

Despite a Few Positives, The Farm Bill Will Create Real Harm to the Organic Industry

Apr 25, 2018

Despite a few positives, the 2018 farm bill will create real harm to the organic industry. I explore the good, the bad and the long-term implications for organic if this piece of legislation does go through.

Quick Hits: 9 items

Linked Articles: 10 items

What People Who Cover the Organic Industry Would Like You to Know

Apr 18, 2018

As the organic food industry continues to experience rapid growth and with more companies entering the space each year, the sector is also facing numerous challenges, particularly on the regulatory level. Wanting to get a sense of how my fellow colleagues view the industry, I asked several of them to share an opinion, insight or observation about...

Quick Hits: 6 items

Linked Articles: 11 items

The USDA Has Completely Marginalized the National Organic Standards Board

Apr 11, 2018

There is a very painful truth that we must accept, and it has to do with how the current USDA views the National Organic Standards Board. Unfortunately, this has very serious and negative consequences for the future of our industry.

Quick Hits: 7 items

Linked Articles: 9 items

Waiting for the Government to Fix the Situation Could Cause Irreparable Harm to Organic

Apr 04, 2018

With American organic farmers suffering hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, all due to fraudulent imports, the USDA refuses to get proactive enough to stop the bleeding. And the longer we wait for the USDA to do something, the more damaged will be caused to the organic seal.

Quick Hits: 6 items

Linked Articles: 8 items

March 2018

Global Pet Expo Showed that Trends in the Human and Pet Food Worlds are Similar

Mar 28, 2018

What are the major trends in the organic pet food world? Sarah Goldberger, founder of Lord Jameson, one of the hottest brands in the industry today, gives us the scoop. And it's some fascinating insight.

Quick Hits: 9 items

Linked Articles: 9 items

Organic Companies Need to Further the Conversation about Super-Toxic Pesticides

Mar 21, 2018

Pesticides

Organic food companies need to come to terms with the super-toxic pesticides that are being sprayed on our nation's farms. We take a look at what these chemicals are and the serious health risks that they carry.

Quick Hits: 10 items

Linked Articles: 10 items

Regenerative Agriculture is the Dominant Headline at Natural Products Expo West 2018

Mar 14, 2018

Trade Shows

Natural Products Expo West 2018 was the biggest and busiest show ever. Yet, there was one theme seemed to dominate Expo West, and this trend will only become more prominent as the years go on.

Quick Hits: 9 items

Linked Articles: 6 items

The Fight to Keep GE-Salmon Off of Our Dinner Plates is a Complicated and Uncertain One

Mar 07, 2018

GMOs

While there has been a lot of discussion about GE-salmon ever since it was approved by the FDA in 2015, the fact remains that it is still not on the market. We examine all of the factors that explain this and ask the question -- will it ever be for sale in the U.S.?

Quick Hits: 4 items

Linked Articles: 10 items

February 2018

Nutiva’s 100% American-Grown, Organic Hemp Seed Product is a Crowning Achievement for John Roulac

Feb 28, 2018

CBD / Cannabis

Nutiva founder John Roulac played an incredibly important role in making U.S.-grown organic hemp a reality. In a story that very few people know, we retrace how this perilous and fascinating journey has come full circle. It's one of the most inspirational stories in the industry today and shows one man's determination to fight for what he believes...

Quick Hits: 7 items

Linked Articles: 8 items

Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario is Taking on a Very Important Leadership Role in the Organic Industry

Feb 21, 2018

Rose Marcario, the CEO of Patagonia, is slowly and quietly becoming one of the most important leaders in the organic food movement. What is so admirable about Rose is that she is not afraid to speak her mind and to do the right thing, on behalf of protecting organic and the environment. Here is my candid conversation with Patagonia's fearless CEO.

Quick Hits: 5 items

Linked Articles: 8 items

Soil-Based, Family Farmers Unveil Website for New Label

Feb 14, 2018

Add-On Certifications

Out of frustration at the National Organic Standards Board and its unwillingness to ban hydroponics from organic, The Real Organic Project has been formed. Learn who is behind it and why it intends to bring back the true interpretation of the organic program.

Quick Hits: 4 items

Linked Articles: 9 items

What Brands Need to Consider as Private Label Becomes More Prominent

Feb 07, 2018

In the organic food industry, competition from private label brands is coming fast and furious. Here are five strategies to make sure you are well-positioned for this shift in market dynamics.

Quick Hits: 3 items

Linked Articles: 8 items