Soil Association set for month-long celebration of organic food

One of the UK’s leading organic food and farming charities has launched Organic September – a month-long celebration of “healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use”.

The event, which is being coordinated by the Soil Association, encourages people to become immersed in an organic way of life, and is supported by a number of high-profile figures, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Xanthe Clay and Sophie Grigson.

“Organic September is Europe’s biggest celebration of all things organic and is a great chance for people to discover what makes organic food naturally different and to enjoy all the special offers and events happening across the country”, said Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association.

“Why not give your body a boost before winter by cooking up some of the mouth-watering recipes we have collected based on fresh, seasonal organic fruit and vegetables.

“Choosing organic food has got to be one of the easiest, most delicious and enjoyable ways to make a real difference.”

Organic September is willing people on to make the switch to healthier, more sustainable food options, and encourages you to add your signature to the list of people committed to doing so on its website.

“If everyone in the UK spent just £10 more on organic products each year”, the official Organic September page states, “then the market would increase by around 30% – securing more land to be farmed in a healthy manner.”

Individuals are also asked to complete a shopping survey and to host an organic feast this month, amongst other related events.

The Soil Association list five reasons why organic food is better than non-organic, such as for environmental, animal welfare and wildlife issues. It also says that you can trust organic food much more easily.

For more information on organic and sustainable food and farming, come back to our site over the next month, as we’ll be looking in-depth at some of the Soil Association’s key themes.

Further reading:

Infographic: does being organic pay back?

EU-US agree organic partnership

Defra report urges UK food industry to adapt to climate change

The role of agriculture in promoting a sustainable economy

Climate-smart agriculture: responding to the challenge