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We have officially kicked off our “Buy Washington
Organic” 2007 campaign to raise public awareness of
local, organic farming. As organic emerges as the
fastest growing sector of the food industry, rising 20%
annually for the last five years, Washington state is
also emerging as the national leader in the organic
revolution. And a new report predicts that the next big
wave is local food. According to the market research
group, Packaged Facts, locally grown food sales could
become a $7 billion business by 2011 – sales were just
$4 billion in 2002.
As Washington farmers continue to grow their commitment
to organic farming, we hope that individuals will
continue to learn more about the benefits of buying
Washington organic. On Sunday, July 8th, we will be
kicking off our campaign highlighting local producers
and suppliers of organic food with a series of full-page
advertisements that will run in the Seattle Time’s
Pacific Northwest Magazine. Additional ads will run on
July15th and September 9th and 16th. Posters, postcards,
stickers buttons and fact sheets will also be
distributed by Tilth growers, participating retail
stores and at farmers markets. Look for these and buy
Washington organic – local food that’s good for you and
the planet!
If you would like to help support the Buy Washington
Organic campaign please
send us an email.
Did you know?
Washington is the number one
producer of organic apples, pears and cherries in the
nation and, is second only to California in acres
producing organic vegetables. The organic certification
program instituted by the Washington State Department of
Agriculture in 1988 is one of the oldest and most
respected in the nation. This year, Washington State
University was the first university in the nation to
establish an organic farming major and has been a leader
for years in the soil sciences which are critical to
organic agriculture. These trends have translated to
on-the-ground momentum for organic agriculture; in 2006
alone, organic acreage in Washington increased by 40%;
and in just five years the number of organic dairies in
the state has jumped from two to an expected 50 this
year. See more Washington
Organic Facts...
Sponsors of the Buy Washington Organic Campaign
include:
C. F.
Fresh
Charlie’s Produce, Farmers Own brand
Full Circle Farm
Island Market
Metropolitan Market
Organically Grown Company – Ladybug Organics brand
PCC Natural Markets
Pioneer Organics
Stemilt Organic
Top
Foods
Town & Country Markets
Whole Foods
Wilcox Organic
Other supporters of the Buy Washington Organic
Campaign include:
Washington State Farmers Market Association
Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance
Bellevue Farmers Market
Tacoma Farmers Market
Puyallap Farmers Market
New Roots Organics Home Delivery
Blossom Organic Grocery
Port
Townsend Food Coop
Ralph’s Greenhouse
Nash’s Organic Produce
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