Shopping for food during the winter can be a challenge. Organic foods are often very expensive in winter and the price of many diet staples has increased dramatically in the past year. What are your best strategies for eating healthy while still getting a good value for your grocery dollar?

* Buy in season -Trying to eat organic summer vegetables in the winter will quickly put a dent in your food budget. Right now, root vegetables, potatoes, and winter squash are at their cheapest and their tastiest. Apples are also fresh and reasonably priced, and citrus comes into season around the holidays. Use in-season vegetables and fruits to fill your family’s table with affordable nutritious goodness.
* Think ahead - Shop once a week, and don’t shop for food while hungry. Buying all of your food on one trip avoids the trap of running to the store several times, which burns extra gas and can add extra impulse buys to your basket.
* Make a plan - Planning your weekly meals and sticking to it keeps you from buying whatever sounds good when you’re shopping. Always shop from a list.
* Buy in bulk - We try to have the staple foods on hand at all times, buying a month’s worth or more and storing it in the pantry. Many co-ops and health food stores offer discounts for case quantities and bulk bags of grains. Most grains, beans, and flour is sold in 25 or 50 pound bags. 25 pounds of grains fits perfectly in a 5 gallon bucket, keeping it fresh and safe from bugs or rodents. Check at hospitals or school cafeterias for free food-grade buckets.
* Cook at home - Eating out will burn up your cash, and many restaurants serve food with dubious origins, so cooking from scratch makes the most sense to us. If you do eat out, find a local place that serves real food, clean food, food made from scratch, not a can (and organically grown, or at least MSG and GMO-free). There’s a place here in my neck of the woods that makes their own tempeh and has a 2 for 1 tempeh burger special (Tempeh Tuesday). The four of us can fill up for under twenty bucks.
* Eat simple - For families that eat meat, cutting back meat-based dishes to once or twice a week means being able to afford organic or grass-fed choices. Fill out a dish with grains or beans. Making a casserole or soup can keep the menu simple and affordable.
* Make extra - A large meal cooked once a week and served as leftovers or sent for lunches helps to save energy and water. It’s less stressful for the cook as well. If you do eat out, find a local place that serves real food, clean food, food made from scratch, not a can (and organically grown, or at least MSG and GMO-free). There’s a place here in my neck of the woods that makes their own tempeh and has a 2 for 1 tempeh burger special (Tempeh Tuesday). The four of us can fill up for under twenty bucks.
* Raid the fridge - I’m the king of the end of the week random ingredient meal. I make a pot of rice (or beans, millet, etc.), sauté onions and garlic with other random veggies, mix together, and serve wrapped in a tortilla.

Stay green and clean, and stay under budget…

According to TNS Worldpanel data seen by the Financial Times that sales of organic produce in Sainsbury’s and Tesco fell by 3.8 percent and 1.3 percent respectively in the three months to August 10. The Sales of organic goods in supermarkets are struggling and suggesting that shoppers are ready to sacrifice their green credentials in favor of cheaper food.
According to the most recent data, spending on organic produce in the whole market has fallen by 19 percent this year from £100m to £81m. Asda and Morrisons fared better with 3.1 percent and 24.6 percent growth, although their cheaper end of the grocery market in coming from a lower base. Figures demonstrate the way in which consumers are swapping their allegiances as they seek cheaper prices.
Marketing manager for organics at Sainsbury, Sophie Firth, said conceded sales were “flat and have started to dip off” and this was a symptom of the time. She also said “people are still buying core items but I guess few people are buying into organics as a whole.”
Organic agriculture is inherently more expensive than intensive agriculture and there is evidence consumers are not willing to pay the extra cost. Among the hardest hit have been sales of organic eggs which fell 18 per cent in the four weeks to the end of August.

Wal-Mart and Fred Meyer which owns Kroger are among the big names that carry certified organic versions of shopping cart staples from meat, milk, cookies and crackers and everything in between. Organic food once was the domain of specialty grocery stores but big chains are getting into organic in a big way.
Donna Eggers a spokeswoman for Albertsons which operates stores in much of the West Coast said supermarkets now account for more than 60 percent of the organic food market. Fred Meyer spokeswoman said “People are trying to eat healthier, or watching what they feed their family. It’s a huge growth area for us.” Despite recent setbacks tied to the economy. Spokeswoman also said “It’s becoming a mainstream.”
Whole Foods has seen its income and stock value plummet this year U.S. organic food sales are projected to reach an all-time high of $23 billion in 2008 and continue increasing 18 percent a year through 2010 according to the Organic Trade Association.
Prices for organic items can be double or more for conventional brands. As the organic food market continues to grow, stores and manufacturers are starting to court shoppers with more affordable price. Organics products are still a hard to sell, especially in a stagnant economy where people are responding to rising gas and food prices.
Fred Meyer and Albertsons sell organic under their own store brands and the prices are generally 10 cents to $1 higher. Though instances are rare, organic products are sometimes the same price or even less than non-organic products.

Ph.D. Pam G. Marrone is reports a development of a new “green” pesticide obtained from an extract of the giant knotweed, in a report scheduled for presentation at the 236th national meeting of the American Chemical Society. The booming consumption of organic foods creates a pressing need for natural insecticides and herbicides that can be used on crops certified as “organic”.
Founder and CEO of Marrone Organic Innovations Inc., Marrone said, “the product is safe to humans, animals, and the environment.” The new biopesticide have an active compound that alerts plant defenses to a range of diseases, including powdery mildew, gray mold and bacterial blight that affect fruits and vegetables. Marja Koivunen, Ph.D., director of research and development for Marrone Organic Innovations said that the product will be available this coming October for conventional growers and a new formulation has also develop for organic farmers and will be available in 2009.
Biopesticides are derived from plants, microbes, and other natural materials and are proven to be safer for humans and the environment. The Marrone Organic Innovations or MOI R&D team is working on an organic rice herbicide based on an extract from a marine microorganism, and also on insecticides and nematocides to kill insect pests and soil inhabiting, like parasitic roundworms that affect plants and animals.
The synthetic pesticides sales dominate the $30 billion pesticide market and the use of biopesticides is increasing. Marrone Organic Innovations officials estimate that global sales will hit $1 billion by 2010 and grow 10 percent a year on average and the biopesticide could make up 4.25 percent of the global pesticide business in 2010, up from 2.5 percent in 2005

This is that time of the year that smorgasbords of the finest organic produce, along with entertainment throughout the day and night and with a free bar. The free bar is available courtesy of Maggie May’s Bar Loughrea. Menus features delicious organic chowder from Marco’s Catering with organic vegetable soup, steaks, chicken fillets, and burgers, Kinvara organic salmon with organic brown breads, baked potatoes, vegetable curries, salads, and a delicious breads and desserts from Foods of Athenry.
Organic coffees, cappuccinos, lattes and hot chocolate will be available to you to drink. This event will feature a range of entertainers including Mike Flavin, Abba International, Sean De Burca and Stephen Simmonds, Gary Quinn, Celine Hession Dancers, Oddity, and the comedian Frank Forde of MidWest Radio. The Monster Organic Ball proceeds from this year will go to AIDS Partnership with Africa, Irish charity works to alleviate the suffering communities in Ethiopia and Tanzania decimated by the HIV/AIDS.
Last year Monster Organic Ball raised €100,000 for the charity which was used to unite thousands of orphaned street children with family relatives or foster parents, purchase medicines and other materials. Organizer of the event extended their thanks to the many dedicated and committed sponsors who make the event possible, including C&F group, main sponsors Cashla Quarries, Tossie Mogan, Ard Precision Engineering, Castle Ceilings and Partitioning, Global Group Ireland, Ger McDonagh and sons, Curly Holdings, MF Dolan and John Earls, Seamus and Huge Lambert, Bill Madden nurseries, Mike Burke of Pier Head, Newell Roofing, and Declan Corry. This event will be on October 11 from 2pm to 12 am in Tossie Mogan’s field in Oranmore, tickets are cost €200 and it includes food, free bar, and entertainment and to purchase tickets just visit www.monsterorganicball.com or www.monsteroganicball08.com .

Organic food production is still hampered by concerns raised by consumers about the authenticity of organic produce, and although organic produce has secured market recognition in Malaysia. Attempts by the private sector and the government to address the issue however have not been so fruitful to date. This issue has been raised at public seminars, newspaper articles as well as internet chat sites.
Self claimed organic products can similarly retail alongside certified products at up to 300 percent more than conventional produce. The organic producers are burdened by the additional documentation, expenses, fees and control procedures which do not facilitate any additional market margin. NGO and public demands, the Malaysian government published the National Organic Standards (MS1529) in 2001. The Department of Agriculture established an organic certification program, Malaysian Organic Scheme (Skim Organik Malaysia-SOM), for the domestic market in December 2003.
The scope of the certification program, presently limited to crop production, is offered free of charge to farmers. Over 70 farmers have reportedly applied since 2004 but only 17 are certified so far. Certification of imported final products is clearly marked as such on their respective product labels. Importing from all over the world, the Malaysian market are with numerous certification marks, which wholesale and retail staff are not always able to explain correctly.
OAM or Organic Alliance Movement, comprising chief executive officers of major organic importers and wholesalers setup in 2002 has mixed results in establishing a local certification program; one of OAM’s founding objectives. Processors of imported certified bulk items often claim their repacked items are certified organic although their repacking operations are not certified. Processors of multi ingredients from different countries and certification systems face difficulty in the choice of certification body unless they simplify their supply sources.
Organic Alliance Movement or OAM is currently working on domestic organic assurance program, promoting Malaysia common market mark and in alliance with certification bodies in Europe and Asia to offer certification service for organic exporters.

George Siemon, CEO of Organic Valley of Farms, the USA’s largest cooperative of organic farmers said in weak economy, new organic customers will be more cautious. Sales growth has slowed but remains strong because of the loyalty of core organic buyers. They say new consumers are tougher to attract, given that organic can cost 10% to 50% more than non-organic rivals.
Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farm, a leading organic yogurt maker says “Most of us are seeing slightly slower growth, but we are still seeing growth.” He expects 18% revenue growth this year, up from 16% last year but down from 24% plus in past years. Others also reported slower growth than Wall Street analysts anticipated, including Whole Foods Market and Lifeway Foods.
George Siemon also says existing organic buyers may cut purchases of discretionary items, such as organic ice cream, and to the basic such as organic milk and meat. Siemon earlier targeted 24% growth this year for Organic Valley. Now he is looking for 22% and the co-op had 30% growth last year. The Organic Trade Association said that sales of organic foods and beverages are expected to reach $24 billion this year, and average about 18% annual growth through 2010.
Laurie Demeritt president of market researcher of The Hartman Group says almost 70% of U.S. shoppers bought something organic over a recent three month period. She also says Hartman’s consumer survey earlier this year showed that organic use has been leveling off since 2006, and she also said organic are also seeing increased competition from “locally grown” products, whether they are organic or not.

Representatives of the organic community meet with the US department of Agriculture or USDA Farm Bill Implementation Team to discuss the implementation of organic provisions within the 2008 Farm Bill. The USDA Farm Bill Implementation Team was charged with crafting 70 implementation rules by 90 days after the 18 June enactment of the Bill.
It was arranged by The Organic Trade Association or OTA, was an opportunity to present information on the significance of organic provisions to the team charged with implementing the Farm Bill. Mark Lipson, senior policy analyst for the Organic Farming Research Foundation said “This meeting was very important as we shift from legislative advocacy to the hard work of implementation.” “Our wins in the Farm Bill must be integrated into each agency’s work plan as directed by the USDA leadership, but it won’t happen automatically.”
OTA spokesperson and other participants stressed the importance of National Organic Program funding, organic production and market data, research needs, organic crop insurance provisions, the national cost share certification program, and provisions for organic agriculture in conservation programs. OTA led group include representatives of the Organic Farming Research Foundation or OFRF, National Organic Coalition, Center for Food Safety, National Centre for Appropriate Technology, Rodale Institute, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Food and Water Watch and Florida Organic Growers.

With more people interested in buying organic food, a tucked away on the Canandaigua shoreline sits 50 acres of what Wegmans family calls their great experiment.  Wegmans developed a farm that is used as a testing ground to learn more about organic growing and pass on that knowledge to local growers.  Wegmans says his stores have seen an increased demand for organic produce in recent years, despite the fact that it’s usually more expensive.

Anne Grover, the organic farm’s garden manager said “I believe in bringing the heirloom vegetables back,” ”It is good DNA, they’ve survived the test of time, they are open pollinated which I think is very important.  I guess I’m old fashioned girl and an old fashioned gardener.”   Area farmers have noticed the trend as well.  A local farmer Jeff Partyka said, “I think there is an increased demand for growing organic and it is something we are hoping we can do.”  Partyka also owns a small fruit and vegetable farm in Hamlin.

Chickens raised on organic feed are also part of this farm.  Wegmans farm manager Steve Straub said “Once the farm gets going, I think this is a viable way of producing vegetables also.  We are just getting the fields and the soil established and that is the key.”  Those working the fields believe someday organic farming will surpass the traditional way of growing produce.  One area farmer is already considering making the switch from traditional to organic.

Yeo Valley Organic sponsors the Soil Association Organic Food Festival it is the Europe’s largest celebration of all things organic and kicks off this year’s Soil Association Organic Fortnight, this is a nationwide campaign bringing together communities, retailers, restaurants, organic farms and schools.
The festival is now in its eight year and the event will take place in Bristol on September 6 and 7, 2009 and it will be host to over 300 organic companies, showcasing the very best organic food, drink, skincare, and home ware products.

People who will visit will be spoilt for choice with food markets, green plane pavilion, kitchen demonstration, food cruises around harbor, and an arts and entertainment fringe. The festival will open with the Matthew sailing towards the Amphitheatre and new to the festival are the Local Market in Anchor Square, Grow Your Own Organic Garden area, Organic Live!, areas including cookery demos and wine tasting and the food for life Partnership Cooking Bus in the Kid’s zone.

The Soil Association Organic Food Festival is greener than ever with the introduction of sustainably source biofuel to power the festival generators, and an emphasis on travelling to the festival by train, bus and ferry. To encourage people to come by train, the Soil Association, in partnership with First Travel, offering a 2 for 1 offer on festival tickets on presentation of proof of using First Travel transport.