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Highline Mushrooms' parent co. acquired by Japanese conglomerate in February
Highline Mushrooms, the world's largest organic mushroom grower, has rolled out a new line of Organic Mushrooms Medleys. Based in Leamington, Ontario, Highline was acquired by multinational fresh produce grower and supplier, Fyffes plc, from private equity firm Peak Rock Capital €98 million (US$111.4 million) in April 2016.
Read more here.
Coalition for Sustainable Organics today at PMA in New Orleans at the Embassy Suites Convention Center
The National Organic Standards Board is scheduled in a few weeks to vote on a formal recommendation that would prohibit many currently certified organic production methods commonly used to produce commodities not directly planted in the earth’s outer crust. The Coalition for Sustainable Organics is holding a meeting at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in New Orleans, today (Thursday, October 19) from 1 PM to 2:30 PM.
Get directions here.
U.S. Researchers to Develop First Organic Strawberry Varieties
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) have launched a research project that aims to develop the first varieties of strawberries specifically designed for U.S. organic agriculture. Serving as the world’s leading producer of strawberries, the United States produces more than three billion pounds valued at $2.9 billion in 2014, according to the USDA. The organic strawberry varieties will be developed for optimal production using an advanced breeding method called marker-assisted breeding, which allows scientists to conduct traditional cross-hybridization and trait-based selection using genetic testing.
Read more here.
Hurricane victims sent 70,000 lbs. of organic produce to Texas food banks
In the midst of Hurricane Harvey, nearly two dozen certified-organic produce growers and distributors joined together to ship over 70,000 pounds of organic fruit and vegetables to help Texas victims of Hurricane Harvey. Jessie Gunn of Wholesum Harvest, who started the effort, said she paid for one of the trucks from Los Angeles to Corpus Christi, Texas. "I knew we could not stand by and do nothing to help knowing we had the resources to send food to those without access to any, especially organic produce," Gunn said.
Read more here.
Organic trade group calls out magazine’s ‘name-calling’
Organic Trade Associations’ Julie Kelly, commented on a recent column in the National Review, a leading conservative magazine and website. She say’s “"Congress should demand hearings about NOP’s [the USDA's National Organic Program] complicity in what might be the biggest consumer scam in decades: the sale of phony organic food." The column was published by Julie Kelly, published on Oct. 10 and titled “Congress should investigate the organic scam.”
Read more here.
"I love fresh citrus and always keep lemons, limes and oranges on hand; they come in handy for spritzing up quickly grilled meats, seafoods, and vegetables, especially when followed up by a quick drizzle of extra virgin olive oil."
Emeril Lagasse
