1. The Organic Center Named as Partner in Four Major USDA OREI Research Grants 

The Organic Center is thrilled to announce it is the recipient of almost $900,000 in federal funds through the US Department of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) research program. The funds will enable The Organic Center to collaborate in four new important OREI research grant projects.  Read More

2. Dole Launches New Organic Division and Consumer Brand 

Dole will launch both Dole Organics, a new specialist division, and its new "GO Organic!" consumer brand, at Fruit Attraction in Madrid. Dole Organics will be dedicated to bringing renewed impetus to the organic fresh produce category by promoting cross sector collaboration, consolidating supply, assuring continuity and consistency of product, and applying best-in-class category management practices in-store.  Read More

3. USDA Asks Organic Board to Continue Work on Biodegradable Bio-Based Mulch Film

The USDA’s National Organic Program is asking the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to continue its consideration of bringing the topic of biodegradable bio-based mulch film in organic crop production for public discussion.  Read More

4. Fairtrasa Launches World's First 100% Regenerative Organic Certified Bananas 

Fairtrasa unveils a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture at this year's Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Spain. The company introduces bananas from the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) banana farm in Ecuador. The Regenerative Organic Certification serves as the highest standard of both environmental and social sustainability and represents a crucial step forward in banana cultivation.  Read More

5. Organic US Strawberries Bring Growers Higher Prices Than Conventional Berries 

Fresh strawberry prices tend to exhibit strong seasonal trends in part because of their relatively short shelf life. Even being refrigerated immediately after harvest, fresh-picked strawberries last about 1–2 weeks, reducing the ability to store the crop and maintain a consistent supply. In the United States, grower prices for fresh organic strawberries move in tandem with conventional strawberry prices throughout the year while also typically running 40 to 50 percent higher than conventional prices—this difference is known as a “price premium.”  Read More