4th September 2008

Soil Association Organic Fortnight: 6-21 September

‘Love Your Planet, Choose Organic’.

Soil Association Organic Fortnight is a nationwide campaign bringing together individuals, communities, retailers, restaurants, schools and organic farms for the UK’s biggest celebration of all things organic. Supporters will be hosting events all over the country from organic breakfasts at work and farm open days to organic cookery lessons in schools and organic fashion shows.

The message this year is ‘Love Your Planet, Choose Organic’. Amidst growing concerns about climate change and food security, Soil Association Organic Fortnight provides a chance to look at why organic production - fashion, beauty, food and farming - is better for the planet.

The fortnight kicks off with the Soil Association Organic Food Festival, Europe’s largest celebration of organic, 6-7 September 2008, at Bristol Harbourside, sponsored by Yeo Valley Organic.

Soil Association Organic Fortnight is yours to make the most of. To get involved why not create a special organic menu? Make sure you let regulars and the local media know that you are doing your bit for the environment.

For more information and ideas to get you started look at www.soilassociation.org/organicfortnight. Visitors to the website will be able to access an interactive map which they can click on to see what’s on in their area. Campaign materials, such as posters and stickers, can be ordered and an events guide and a Soil Association Organic Fortnight logo are available to download.

ORGANIC FOOD - Five reasons to eat organic:

• For health. On average, organic fruit and vegetables contain higher levels of vitamin C, essential minerals and cancer fighting antioxidants.
• No nasty additives. Among the many additives banned by the Soil Association are hydrogenated fat, aspartame (artificial sweetener) and monosodium glutamate.
• Avoids pesticides. Over 300 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming. Pesticides are often present in non-organic food.
• Care for animals. No system of farming has higher levels of animal welfare standards than organic farms working to Soil Association standards.
• Good for wildlife and the environment. Organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprayers and produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas.