Why is Going Organic Worth it?
Plus the Who, What, Where, and How of Organics in Canada
The organic industry in Canada is growing fast and the options for Canadians choosing to go organic are
on the rise as well. Many Canadians are still unsure of the benefits of opting for certified organic
products. The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), along with the Canada Organic Trade
Association (COTA) and the Canadian Organic Growers (COG), are teaming up to help Canadians
celebrate the bounty of Organic Week this September 19 to 27. Read on for the “who, what, where,
why and how” Canadians can go organic this fall.
What does going organic mean in Canada?
It seems that organic is on everyone’s lips these days, but what does “organic” really mean?
Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed; organic food is produced using
environmentally and animal-friendly farming methods. Organic certification lets consumers know that
every step along the supply chain has protected and maintained the organic integrity that begins at the
farm.
In Canada, this system is overseen by government organic standards and regulations, and applies to
both domestic and imported products. Canada’s organic standards are among the most widely
recognized in the world, and place strict limits and prohibitions on the use of toxic and persistent
pesticides; synthetic fertilizers; the routine use of drugs, antibiotics or synthetic hormones; animal
cloning; genetic engineering (“GMOs”); sewage sludge (“biosolids”); and irradiation. Organic standards
also forbid the use of artificial food colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives and many other
processing aids and ingredients in processed foods.
Guided by these and other standards, organic is now the most heavily regulated and scrutinized food
system in Canada, letting you help our environment while also choosing great tasting, healthy food for
you and your family.
Who grows organic in Canada?
Did you know there are 3,732 organic farms in Canada covering 825 thousand hectares of land?
Each producing fresh, home-grown food that is nutritious, tastes great and is good for our environment
and communities. These farms employ 11,167 agricultural workers, making Canada the fourth largest
market for organics in the world. On average, the organics industry brings in $3.5 billion in sales annually
and over 20 million Canadians choose organic options for their groceries each week.
Organic farming is catching on fast in Canada. A recent survey found that 59 per cent of Canadians
believe organic farming is better for a healthy environment. While total farms in Canada declined by 17
per cent since 2001, organic farms grew by 66.5 per cent. The industry is strongly attracting the next
generation of farmers, too. While eight per cent of farmers in Canada are under 35, this percentage
rises to 12 per cent among organic farmers.
Where can you find organic food?
Did you know that Canada has a wide variety of organic products, all to be found at a store near you? By
simply visiting chfa.ca and typing your postal code into the “Find a Retailer” tool you can find the closest
natural health food store to you that carries organic products.
Organic products are getting easier and easier to find. It is now easier than ever to find certified organic
options at cafés and restaurants, farmers’ markets and through food-box delivery programs or
community supported agriculture.
And remember, always look for the “Canada Organic” logo—Organic products are always certified, so
look for this symbol:
How can you go organic at home?
It’s as easy as choosing certified organic foods! Certified organic products must pass stringent
regulatory requirements, so look for a “Canada Organic” or “USDA Organic” logo on your foods to be
confident they meet these criteria.
Start small, and progress slowly. It’s never too late to “go organic”. Check out chfa.ca to learn about the
dirty dozen and the clean fifteen. By following this simple guide, developed by the Environmental
Working Group, you can minimize your consumption of pesticides by as much as 80 per cent leading to
better health for your whole family.
“The Dirty Dozen”; these foods showed the highest amount of pesticide residues, even after they were
washed with high-power pressure water systems. Commonly consumed foods in this group include
apples, potatoes, lettuce and grapes. When you’re buying these pieces of produce, opt for the organic
selection.
“The Clean Fifteen” are good to grab and go wherever you are, from the grocery store or the famers
market. They contain significantly less pesticide residue compared to the dirty dozen.
Once you have done your shopping you can share the love and prepare a special meal for your friends
and family or host a dinner party showcasing some interesting organic ingredients.
This information was provided courtesy of Think Canada Organic in partnership with the Canada
Organic Trade Association and with support from Agriculture and AgriFood Canada through Growing
Forward 2. For more reasons why to go organic visit thinkcanadaorganic.ca or chfa.ca.