ATO Preview
Posted - May 1, 2008
All Things Organic Gather in Chicago
O.W.N. News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008
Once again All Things Organic will be put on display in Chicago April 27-29 at the McCormick Convention Center. Held in conjunction this year with the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) Fancy Food Show and NASDA’s US Food Export Showcase, the three events combine under the Global Food & Style Expo, totalling more than 56,000 products and 1,000 exhibitors. This year’s ATO includes special looks at fashion, fancy cooking and the basics of getting started in organics.
It’s a growing business. US sales of organic food and beverages reached $20 billion in 2007, according to the Organic Trade Association and should top $23 billion this year. In 2006, the US organic sector grew 20.9 percent. Organic non-food items such as personal care, textiles and pet products are growing, too: 26 percent in 2006.
Fashion-forward types at ATO can enjoy a student-designed organic clothing fashion show to be held April 28. Materials were donated by Harmony Art, Green Textile Associates, Fiberactive Organics, Near Sea Naturals and Wool Works.
The fair will feature a Fiber & Personal Care Showcase and a guided tour of nearby organic textiles stores. Another store tour will bring visitors to Chicago’s finest organic retailers - including the first USDA-certified organic bakery.
For those just getting their feet wet, there will be 5 “Organic 101″ sessions alongside 18 other conference topics. Organic 101 topics to be covered are: an overview of the North American organics market; sourcing organic ingredients; organic definitions for foodservice industries; trends in non-food organic products; and the details of certifying an entire retail store as organic.
Fair attendees will be able to sample food from several well-known chefs with demonstrations throughout the show. Food Network chef Bobby Flay is scheduled to give the fair’s keynote opening presentation. See you in Chicago!
Soap Nuts
Posted - September 1, 2004
Soap Nuts: The Clean Alternative
By Anneliese Graschy - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Soap nuts are the ultimate alternative for environmentally friendly washing and cleaning. They can contribute to sustainability in a large way in rural areas. Ritha (sapindus mukorossi) is one of the best-known species of wild or domestic trees for soap-nuts. It belongs to the Sapindaceae group. There are also similar species growing naturally in South America, which are more widely used for medical purposes. Ritha soap trees come from the northern plains of the Ganges river in India and grow as far up as the southern slopes of the Himalayas.
Ancient cultures in China and Afghanistan have used them since ancient times. They grow up to 25 m high, with a lifespan of some 70 years, and provide more than fruit. The large branches and leaves offer shadow and the wood, hard and light yellow, is used as building material in rural areas. Ritha foliage, serves as cattle fodder during drought. In the Indian Ayurveda culture, the fresh flesh of the nut is of major importance for medicine. In Tibetan medicine it is used to treat common colds, epilepsy and constipation.
The dried fruit of Ritha is the most valuable part of the plant as far as the use in the western world is concerned, stated of Ulrich Helberg of Karibu Trade, a consulting and trading firm for rural eco-friendly enterprises. “Its fleshy portion has saponin, a good substitute for washing soap. Ordinary detergents have chemicals harmful to our water and the environment”.
The gentle, organic ways of ritha nuts do a much healthier, sustainable job. Many of the allergies common today could be avoided by using these nuts for our general body and clothes washing. Three or four nuts bundled in an old stocking, and there they go into the washing machine! Once the job is done, they can be used as hand soap.
Ritha fruits preserve your clothes and skin, wastewater and the environment. Planting the trees prevents erosion. The soap nuts also offer sustainability: Karibu Trade provides a steady and fair income to 40 north Indian families involved in its collection, packaging and transport, all in conformity with European certifying rules and controlling bodies.
