Grocers, Manufacturers Set To GoOrganic!

MINNEAPOLIS -- More than 3,500 grocery stores and 40 leading organic manufacturers are on board for April's third annual Go Organic! for Earth Day promotion, which aims to help consumers discover, understand, and ultimately enjoy organic products as part of their daily lives.

The initiative -- jointly backed by the Organic Trade Association, Earth Day Network, and marketing firm MusicMatters -- includes events, promotions, organic product sampling, and coupons for organic products, available at participating retailers throughout April.

"Going organic is a growing trend," says Caren Wilcox, OTA's executive director. "OTA has seen an exponential growth in consumer demand over the last few years, fuelled by people's desire for improved personal health and a better environment. Organic products are now available not only at specialty grocery stores and co-ops that championed the cause in the early days, but also at mainstream retailers."

In addition, chef Akasha Richmond has created an Earth Day menu featuring a day's worth of simple organic recipes. Award-winning chef, cookbook author and longtime organics advocate Rick Bayless, has also created an organic Mexican dish.

This year Go Organic! offers an opportunity to register for e-newsletters about organics, and a chance to win a trip to The Crossings wellness spa in Austin, Texas. All recipes, plus informational materials, a "Test Your Organic Smarts" quiz, and a store finder to locate participating retailers can be found at the campaign Web site, http://www.OrganicEarthDay.org.

GoOrganic participating retailers include Ahold (Giant Foods/Tops Markets), Bashas', Bigg's, Bozutto's (IGA Indy's, Adam's Markets, and Key Food), Brookshire's, Cashwise, Coborn's, Cub Foods, D'Agostino, Farm Fresh Markets (Supervalu), Food Lion/Bloom, Hannaford Bros. Co., HEB, Hornbacher's (Supervalu), Kowalski's Markets, Kroger Southwest, Marsh Supermarkets, Meijer, Metropolitan Market, Publix, Roundy's (Pick n' Save/Copps/Rainbow), Scott's (Supervalu), Shop n' Save (Supervalu), Supervalu Wholesale, Thriftway/Red Apple, Ukrop's, United Supermarkets and Market Street, and Wakefern (ShopRite).

Go Organic! for Earth Day also has the support of leading organic manufacturers such as Clif Bar & Co., Del Monte Foods, Horizon Organic, R.W. Knudsen Family, Santa Cruz Organic, Silk Soymilk, Stonyfield Farm, Earthbound Farm, and Organic Valley Family of Farms.