Canada Celebrates Sixth Annual Organic Week Sept. 19-27, 2015

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - September 16, 2015) - September 19-27 is Canada's National Organic Week, the country's biggest celebration of organic food, farming and products. Supported by regional partners and coordinated by the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), Canadian Organic Growers (COG) and the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), hundreds of Organic Week events and retail promotions will take place across the country.

"The national reach of Organic Week allows Canadians to celebrate in their individual way. As more organic products emerge on the market, it's becoming increasingly easier to go organic," stated Helen Long, president of CHFA. "The events represent the creative ways Canadians are choosing to add organic products to their lives while protecting their environment and their bodies, and supporting local farmers."

"Each year, there are more farm and winery tours, promotions and bloggers celebrating organics," says Rochelle Eisen, president of COG. "This year a number of restaurants, country wide, are featuring recipes with organic ingredients. Keep an eye out for these organic menu items at your favourite restaurants. And consider taking in a workshop or two, maybe touring some organic farms and wineries. Wish an organic farmer "Happy Organic Week". Whatever works for you. But join us somewhere and learn more about organic food."

The organic market continues to grow, as Canadian consumers look to reduce exposure to synthetic chemicals and genetically modified ingredients, and to make environmentally friendly choices. "More Canadians are choosing organic more often and in the past year we've seen governments catching up to consumer trends with federal investment in the organic sector and provincial initiatives supporting farmers to transition to organic," said Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of COTA. "The organic movement is a true example of how consumer-led efforts can change our world for the better and this week celebrates that success."

Coast-to-coast Organic Week events will range from organic festivals to organic farm tours. Hundreds of health food stores, farmers markets and grocery-chains will use the opportunity to showcase organic products and educate consumers. To find out more about Organic Week events or retail promotions in your area, please visit www.organicweek.ca.

Organic Week was made possible this year by champion sponsors Nature's Path Foods, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, PC Organics, UNFI Canada, Sobeys Inc., Clif Bar & Company and Alive Publishing; by national leaders Green Organic Vegetable Inc, Earthbound Farm, Field Farm Marketing Ltd., Hemp Oil Canada, Yorkshire Valley Farms, DOM International; as well as national supporters The Big Carrot, Beretta, Mike & Mike's Organic, DeeBee's SpecialTea Foods, Grainworks, Organic Garage, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Horizon Distributors, Mumm's Sprouting, Left Coast Naturals, Fruit d'Or, Wholesome Sweeteners Inc., Ecocert, Procert, Fairtrade Canada, Ethical Bean, QAI, Avafina Commodities, Pacific Organic Seafood Association, SPUD.CA, Organic Meadow and Mill St. Brewery.

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