For Immediate Release
July 8, 2008
Contact:
Brenda Vanderloop, PR Consultant, 425-788-9846,
Brenda@tilthproducers.org
or
Nancy Allen, Admin. Director Tilth Producers of WA,
206-442-7620, nancy@tilthproducers.org
Give our kids a delicious
future, Buy Washington Organic
Families seek organic food for growing kids
Seattle, WA — A growing
number of families in Washington State and across the nation
are demanding increased food security and rank their
children’s health and lifestyle as their number one
priority.
Tilth Producers of Washington, the state’s oldest and
largest association of organic growers, kicks off it’s 5th
annual Buy Washington Organic campaign this season. It’s
theme, giving kids a delicious future, will raise public
awareness and educate consumers about the benefit of buying
organic.
Alan Greene, M.D., Chief of Future Health of A.D.A.M. and
the Co-Founder of DrGreene.com, states,
"Kids need a wider margin of safety, because young children
are more vulnerable to developmental damage from pesticide
residues on foods." The Organic Center sites forty new
studies published in the last six years that organic-based
foods provide an average 25% nutrition
premium. “Organic farmers like myself,” according to
Ann Schwarz, Tilth Producers President and owner of Blue
Heron Farm in Rockport, “improve soil quality and don’t use
pesticides and fertilizers that pollute our water and are a
danger to our ecosystem. Washington organic food, picked
ripe and available locally, not only tastes great, but
provides additional nutrients essential to growing kids.”
According to current industry data, demand in the past five
years for organic milk is up 20 to 30 percent annually; for
organic fruits and vegetables, growth has been 10 to 20
percent a year; organic meat, poultry and fish have grown 32
to 120 percent a year; organic snack foods are up 15 to 30
percent a year.
Considering these statistics, Tilth Producers has seen wide
support for their 2008 campaign. Member farms, distributors
and retail stores have contributed financially to the
non-profit organization and are planning special events
through the harvest season. Washington’s organic farmers
grow an abundance of fruit, grains and vegetables without
using pesticides and they can be purchased at local farmers’
markets and grocery retailers. Schwarz adds, “now is the
time to buy organic food, get it fresh and get it local.”
The “Buy Washington Organic” campaign is a unique endeavor
allowing the Washington organic trade to speak with one
voice to encourage consumers to buy local organic products.
Information about Washington Organic, where to buy organic
food and a list of participating sponsors can be found at
www.tilthproducers.org. For more information about Tilth
Producers of Washington, the annual campaign, or to speak
with industry experts, contact Brenda Vanderloop,
425-788-9846, or brenda@tilthproducers.org.
About Tilth Producers of Washington:
A membership organization of over 500 Washington organic
growers and industry representatives, Tilth Producers
promotes ecologically sound, economically viable and
socially equitable farming practices that improve the health
of our communities and natural environment. Members
of Tilth Producers grow an abundance of delicious organic
fruits, grains and vegetables without using harmful
pesticides. For more information
www.tilthproducers.org.
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