Market indicators show strong demand for quinoa
Posted - July 1, 2011
Market indicators show strong demand for quinoa
By Sofia Garcia
With the rise of obesity and other chronic disease, where processed foods, pesticides and artificial fertilizers play a role, consumers are favouring simple ingredients, natural products and nutritious and tasty whole foods. In this scenario, the gluten free trend shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, the trend is expanding as gluten free products are increasing popularity when there is sensitivity to other common food allergens such as soy, dairy and corn. Quinoa is a gluten free grain that does not belong to the leafy grain grass family like wheat, corn, barley, oats and other cereals. Quinoa is a complete and versatile food that perfectly suits the desire for a gluten-free cereal, a great meat alternative for those following a vegetarian diet, and an ingredient that adapts to different cuisines.
The Non-GMO movement is also prevalent. Quinoa has not been subject to GMO production like corn and soy. As demand grows expect to see an increasing number of products labelled GMO free, an opportunity for quinoa based lines. The NON GMO Project has been instrumental in spreading awareness about the dangers of genetically modified ingredients and has provided the natural products industry with a valuable resource in its certification program.
Third Party Certification is also on the rise and vital for the continued growth and success of gluten free, allergen free and GMO free products, particularly because of the problems cross contamination may cause for consumers and manufacturers.
Consumers demand transparency in the food they eat. Brands and products that offer substantiated information pertaining to their quality and sourcing of ingredients are resonating with today
Pasta Profits
Posted - November 1, 2008
Alb-Gold : Inspiring noodles
By John Coghlan
Canadian Organics Grow
Posted - May 1, 2008
Canadian Organics Growing
By O.W.N. News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008
Canada had 60 percent more organic farms in 2006 compared to 2001, the federal agency Statistics Canada announced recently. This represented about 3,500 farms who reported producing certified organic products, versus about 2,200 five years earlier.
Grain and hay crops were the most common, mainly for export. Various produce (combined as one category) formed the second most common Canadian organic crop.
Plenty of farms claimed to be producing via organic methods, but without certification - almost 12,000, mostly meat producers. Another 640 farms reported they were in transition to certified status.
Mandatory national organic standards still do not exist in Canada, a significant obstacle for organic producers. Voluntary standards have existed since 1999; various provincial and private standards that interpret these in slightly different ways exist. A single federal standard is to come into force in December 2008, at which point certification bodies will have to be accredited by the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Such a standard could provide a necessary boost to organics marketing. Despite the growth in farms, Canadian shoppers’ 2006 organic purchases remained less than 1% of the approximately $50 billion they spent in grocery stores in 2006.
Mandatory Labelling
Mandatory labelling about the fruit, vegetable, added sugar and whole grain content of processed foods is not an idea that Canada will support, at least not in its current form, according to Canadian authorities.
The topic is on the agenda at the late April meeting (in Ottawa, Canada’s capital) of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, a body that works globally to implement the World Health Organization’s food standards.
The Canadian delegation, led by the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency, presented Canada’s draft position on the Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients in pre-packaged foods in early April. It indicated Canada would not support a WHO amendment that asks national governments to require labels to list processed foods’ content of ingredients like fruits and whole grains.
By contrast, the Canadian group’s position read, packaging need only include such information where the company’s product pitch emphasizes or describes one or more such ingredients. Such logic does not bode well for genetically-modified organism labelling either. Right to Know Legislation just introduced in British Columbia would require all GMO foods and toxic and cancer causing ingredients to be labelled, but if healthy ingredient labelling is not supported by Canadian authorities, how likely is this to receive the required support?
Canadian Wheat Board
Posted - September 1, 2007
Canadian Wheat Board Boosting Organics
O.W.N. News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2007
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has learned that the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is implementing a major policy change on organic wheat sales that will lower marketing costs for organic growers. A new program, the Organic Fixed Spread Contract (OFSC), is expected to lower fees to about $0.05 to $0.15 per bushel, compared to pricing in the previous system that could reach over $1.00 per bushel. CWB will also increase resources for organic marketing, with additional staff and development of a cash-buying program. See the OTA press release at www.ota.com.
Quinoa Beverage
Posted - September 1, 2007
First Quinoa Drink on the Market:
“I was tired of all the high caffeine energy drinks”
By Sebastian Vel
Aprainores Cashews
Posted - February 1, 2004
Cashew-Nut Producer Aprainores Quadrupled Export Capacity
By Staff - Organic & Wellness News - as printed in O.W.N. Spring 2004
Aprainores, an association of 69 producers of organic cashew-nut seeds from El Salvador, begins now to cash in the fruit of their joint effort. Their activities began in 1995 with funds from the EU, Oxfam and other organizations as a way to promote sustainable rural and social development in the area of Bajo Lempa, which was severely affected by civil war and natural disasters.
Certified by BCS of Germany, Aprainores has been successfully producing and exporting whole, halves and pieces of cashew-nuts since 1998. Exports are offered to the EU, mostly to Rapunzel in Germany and other accounts in the UK and Belgium.
“We offer the small enterprises training and assistance in systems and standards of quality control, because they need to understand the importance of reliability and meeting delivery times”, stated Carlos Vargas, Oxfam GB coordinator for market access in Central America and the Caribbean. “Aprainores is a great example of social sustainability and teamwork, while protecting the environment and offering all workers the opportunity of being part of the process, the goals and the results”, he added.
The producers receive 40% of the gains, people at the processing plant get 30% and those responsible for the trading activities receive the balance. The majority of workers at Aprainores are women, working conditions meet the requirements of fair trade and the processing plant meets the HACCP standards.
“At Aprainores, there is a feeling of belonging and coworkers feel rewarded for their laborious and responsible attitude that reflects in the company’s steady growth”, stated marketing manager Camila Flores. “Each year, our production and export volume gets better. From only five metric tons of product at the beginning, in 2003 we exported a volume of 20.3 tons”.
