The Soil Association’s ‘Organic Fortnight’, the biggest event of its kind in Europe, kicked off at the beginning of September with a huge ‘Organic Fair’ in Bristol, where the charity is based. As well as food lectures and cookery demonstrations, the fair showcased the diversity and quality of organic food in the UK with endless stalls, many of them from small-scale and local producers, selling everything from peppered-strawberry ice cream and shitake mushroom logs, to biodynamic wines, organic ciders and a vast array of sumptuous and delicious vegetables, meat and farm produce.

‘Organic Fortnight’ coincided with the launch of the Soil Association’s annual ‘Organic Market Report’ – a key research document highlighting trends in organic produce worldwide. The report shows a significant growth in consumer demand for organic food and drink – with sales now reaching £2bn a year in the UK or £37 million per week. Perhaps most encouraging is growing demand for local and more direct forms of buying with a huge increase in sales of organic box and mail order schemes from £95 million in 2005 to £146 million in 2006 – a growth of 53% - over double that experienced by the supermarkets. The findings are welcomed by Joy Carey, Head of The Soil Association’s ‘Local Food and Market Development’ team. ‘This shows the steadily increasing public interest in buying locally grown organic unprocessed seasonal food more directly from the producers and perhaps a change in understanding about what is a fair price for the producer.’

Whilst the Soil Association has been currently debating whether Air Freighted goods should be allowed under organic standards, Joy Carey and her team are dedicated to encouraging local food and farming practices which benefit smaller communities and the environment, as she explains; ‘Sustainable local food is derived from a system based on organic or other sustainable models of agricultural practice, where its lifecycle – ie the growing, production and any processing of the food, its trading and consumption – is wholly or largely contained and controlled within the area of its origin, thereby delivering health, economic, environmental and social benefits within that area.’

So far the team have assisted with box schemes, farmer’s markets, food coops and many diverse projects such as the ‘Food for Life’ schools meals initiative along with a drive to encourage local and organic produce in youth hostels, universities and hospitals.

A current project, Community Supported Agriculture – or CSA’s - aims to promote even further the ’local’ link between the consumer and producer through encouraging individuals and communities to actually buy shares in their local farms. ‘A CSA is based on a financial model of ‘member’s shares’, a set amount of money in return for a share of the harvest.’ Says Joy Carey. There are twenty CSA initiatives around the UK already - a scheme which has protected some farms from financial ruin. The Soil Association plans to promote the idea even further amongst consumers and producers in coming months. ‘It’s fantastic,’ says Joy Carey, ’As a producer you have a definite cash flow and you know how many people you are producing for. As a consumer you have a special relationship with the farm in terms of social benefits.’

Whilst the ‘Organic Report’ shows that buying locally is clearly becoming a more popular choice, in reality it is not always possible to buy both local and organic produce. ‘…there is not yet enough organic UK produce to meet current demand. Clearly, supporting local farms and keeping them economically viable is very important for a number of reasons. Local food systems need to be developed and to achieve this organic and non-organic producers need to work together.’ Joy Carey.

To find out more about CSA’s contact Food and Farming - ff@soilassociation.org

Contact The Soil Association or read a free executive summary of the ‘Organic Market Report’ - the full report is £20 or free to Soil Association Licencees

written by Morag Massey. Morag has worked as a researcher/producer for BBC Radio 4. She is currently writing plays. She is passionate about the food we eat and how it's production impacts on our health and enjoyment, as well as the impact on the producers and the environment.