Australia’s largest organic awareness campaign will be taking place once more throughout September during Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM). Held each Spring, the organic industry’s leading body – Australian Organic – will be promoting the importance of certified organics for both consumer well-being and the environment.
The campaign aims to educate and assist Australians everywhere on the benefits of choosing organic and reassure them that their products are certified – in other words truly organic. Throughout the month, the campaign will share stories about some of Australia’s best and most unique certified organic producers, from a wide range of categories including food, cosmetics, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and packaged foods, kicking off with an event in Sydney, on Tuesday, 3 September at La Porte event space in Rosebery.
“The certified organic industry is diverse with new and interesting products hitting the markets continuously,” said Australian Organic CEO Niki Ford. “The awareness campaign is designed to help promote all certified organic products in store and online by educating consumers on why they should always look for a certification mark such as Australian Organic’s distinctive Bud logo when choosing to buy organic products. Point of sale material and online digital artwork is available for all outlets, individuals and organisations who want to share the message.”
READ MORE: Organic farm to expand with $250,000 grant
The latest Australian Organic Market Report for 2019 revealed that Australian demand for certified organic products is now skyrocketing with $1.93 billion dollars generated in domestic sales for 2018. The figure is up $256 million from domestic sales of $1.67 billion for 2017 with the total Australian organic industry now worth $2.6 billion and growing year on year.
The overall number of households saying they have purchased at least one organic product in 2018 lifted to 65 per cent from the previous year. With there being some confusion in recent times about what exactly constitutes an organic product, reassurance is of paramount importance to consumers with more than half of organic buyers (55 per cent) saying that they now look for a certification logo on labels to check if products are organic.
Health and environmental factors have become increasingly important to consumers with many Australians thinking more carefully about what they are consuming and using on their skin. Certified organic standards currently prohibit the use of harmful synthetic agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.
“With more and more consumers demanding transparency when it comes to what they are putting in and, on their bodies, certified organic products offer consumers the surety each ingredient has been rigorously audited and is what it says it is,” said Ms Ford. “Always look for a certification logo to ensure you’re getting what you pay for – no one likes being fooled at the register.”
Here’s why organic produce and products are making such an impact nationally and globally:
10 important things about certified organic products
- Certified organic products are no longer considered to be expensive
Price is no longer a reason not to buy organic and this is reflected in strong sales. Larger retailers have their own certified organic home-brands which offer a range of products at reasonable prices. Fresh produce can be found at your local organic or farmers’ markets, cutting out the middleman and therefore reducing the costs. You can also find a range of deals online – from specialised online retailers, subscription box delivery services to organic wholesalers. - You can get almost anything certified organic.
Australian Organic’s Bud logo is now found on over 32,000 products in Australia meaning there’s pretty much an organic option available for most things in addition to food and beverages. From bed linen to personal products, cosmetics, cleaning products and clothing to pet food – there are so many certified organic products available. You can even descale your coffee machine organically. - Organic produce is said to be better for you
Recent research supports the claim that organic produce is better for you. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology found that organic apples are more beneficial for your health than those grown in non-organic environments, as they contain a wider variety and larger numbers of beneficial bacteria – including the probiotic lactobacilli. One of the best aspects of certified organic produce is that it’s grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. Each time you consume something, ask yourself whether you really want to be ingesting these things into your body – remember, you are what you eat! - Organic products adhere to strict standards
Certified Organic products go through a rigorous certification process – from sourcing ingredients, to manufacture and processing, all the way through to getting into stores. To trust a product is truly organic, always look for a certification mark such as the Australian Organic ‘bud’ logo. - The term ‘organic’ isn’t regulated in Australia
Australia is one of the few remaining countries in the modern world that does not regulate the use of the term ‘organic’. This means that anyone can label a product ‘organic’ even if it contains just two per cent of organic ingredients. This misleading labelling leads to distrust and confusion, which is why many shoppers look for certification marks on their organic products to ensure they are truly organic. - Organic producers help to create a better environment
As part of certification standards, certified organic producers adhere to strict rules when it comes to environmental and sustainable practices. From the sustainable sourcing of ingredients, to ruling out harmful synthetic chemicals and pesticides, using and promoting environmentally friendly practices, to maintaining healthier soil and water systems, certified organic products promote a better future for the planet which also helps to promote and protect local wildlife. For instance, certified organic carrots are hand-weeded so there’s no synthetic chemical overspray from weed spraying. - Aussie producers use innovative methods
As some certified organic fruits and veggies are harder to grow than others and attract more pests and diseases certified organic farmers have a diverse array of tools to combat these challenges such as crop rotation, and the attraction of natural bug defenses. Did you know lady bugs can eat up to 50 aphids in a day? Ducks and geese are also commonly used in certified organic vineyards to help control slugs, snails and pests, and their manure helps to fertilise the grape vines (used by Angove Family Winemakers on their estate in South Australia). - They care about water resources
The ACOS (Australian Certified Organic Standard) contains requirements for water efficiency and ecology, ensuring any water leaving the farm is, at minimum, the same quality as first applied; so as to not create environmental pollution or degradation of surrounding areas. - The organic industry gives animals a better quality of life
Animals that are part of the certified organic food chain have a greater quality of life. Livestock must be free-range, free to roam in uncrowded pastures, fed a certified organic diet free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides, raised with zero added hormones, treated with the highest standard of welfare and encouraged to explore their natural behaviours. For instance, certified organic chickens enjoy cage-free, truly free-range lives, where they can scratch and forage in the grass and fields like nature intended. Certified organic bees are also required to have a 5km pollution-free radius around their hive. This ensures that there is no contamination of the honey. - By supporting organic you’re supporting Australian farmers
Certified organic products support the hardworking Australian farmers and workers that produce them. By buying locally and in-season, you’re not only reducing your own carbon footprint, but are also promoting and supporting our economy. Organic certification standards also contain policies regarding fair work and fair trade, including the promotion of socioeconomic benefits and ethical trade programs. When you choose to buy certified organic, you are choosing fair working rights for everyone involved in the production chain.