Trust Organic Food » Events

Eco Farm Day

Julie Hosking — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:26:25 +0000

Ramada Inn, Cornwall, Ottawa, February 27-28

Renowned American farmer and proponent of small-scale organic farming Eliot Coleman is the keynote speaker at the Canadian Organic Growers’ Eco Farm Day. The former executive director of IFOAM, who was also an advisor to the US Department of Agriculture, is the author of The New Organic Grower, regarded as a bible for organic farming. Other highlights of the two-day event include 19 workshops, some in French, and a trade show. Topics range from market gardening to field crops, livestock and business management. For more details see the Canadian Organic Growers’ official site.

Start Date: 2009-02-27
End Date: 2009-02-28

The NOFA-NY Organic Farming and Gardening Conference

Julie Hosking — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:22:48 +0000

Rochester Riverside Convention Center. NY, January 22-25, 2009

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York hosts its 27th annual conference. With the motto “Meals without wheels – revitalising our local, organic foodshed”, NOFA-NY aims to bring consumers and farmers closer together through demonstrations and education. The organisation welcomes organic gardeners and farmers, farmers interested in converting to sustainable methods, and consumers interested in supporting the development of organic farming in the region. Organisers of the annual conference promise more than 80 workshops and more than 75 exhibitors. For more details visit NOFA-NY’s website.

Biofach 2009

Julie Hosking — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:42:27 +0000

Nuremberg, Germany, February 19-22, 2009

The world organic fair turns 20 this year. Organisers will defy the pervading economic gloom to showcase the best of an industry that topped $US40 billion in sales in 2007. Last year’s Biofach attracted more than 2700 exhibitors and more than 46,000 visitors, with high hopes to build on those numbers for an extra special birthday party. Among the big attractions will be the Wine Hall, hosting more than 340 organic winemakers from around the world; a special Fairtrade and certified organic cultivation section; and the Novelty Stand, which displays the latest in organic innovation. There will also be plenty of prestigious awards up for grabs, including BioFach’s International Wine Award and the second annual Olive Oil Award. Denmark will be the fair’s Country of the Year and with its population spending more per person on organic fare than any other European Union nation it’s a fair choice. For more details, visit the official Biofach website.

Pumpkin Day

Julie Hosking — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 07:13:42 +0000

Garden Organic, Ryton, UK, October 26

‘Tis the season of the pumpkin and where better to celebrate than in the outdoors at Garden Organic’s Pumpkin Day. The UK’s leading organic charity offers activities for the entire family. Pick a pumpkin from the patch, watch it carved into a jack-o-lantern; sample various dishes featuring the fabulous gourd; and enjoy demonstrations on bats, creepy crawlies and owls for a bit of added magic. Gates open at 10am and close at 5pm; tickets cost £6 for one adult and child, additional children £3, children under five free. See Garden Organic’s site for more details.

MENOPE 2008

Julie Hosking — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:10:45 +0000

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, November 16-18, 2008
The Middle East Natural and Organics Product Expo, now in its sixth year, has drawn interest from around the world. Organised by Dubai-based Global Links and supported by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment and Water, MENOPE has attracted more than 100 companies. Organisers say this a reflection of the growth in the organics sector in the region, with the United Arab Emirates taking proactive steps to support the market, including by encouraging organic farming. The show is even bigger thanks to a merger with the Arab Naturals Expo & Conference, and is supported by the International Federation of Organic and Agricultural Movements (IFOAM). Products on display include herbs and spices, food and beverages and natural remedies. For more information click here.

All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show

Julie Hosking — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:22:06 +0000

McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, June 16-18, 2009
All Things Organic will be even bigger and better when the annual trade show joins forces with the leading Hispanic and Asian shows in the market, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food, next year. Organisers say there is synergy with the events, because it brings into focus the two fastest-growing segments of food sales in North America: organic and ethnic and specialty foods. Expect to hear the latest trends as new and innovative products are showcased, as well as sessions with celebrity chefs, tastings, seminars and so much more. More than 80 percent of exhibitors only exhibit at All Things Organic, so if you want to know what’s really going on in the organic world this is the place to be. The Organic Trade Association uses the proceeds from the show to reinvest in programs supporting the organic industry. Registration will begin in January. Click here for more information.

WA Biodynamic Festival

Julie Hosking — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:53:34 +0000

High Vale Biodynamic Orchard, Western Australia, Sunday November 23, 2008

What’s so specal about biodynamic? How is it different from organic? What can you buy from biodynamic producers in Western Australia. All these questions and more will be answered at the inaugural WA Biodynamic Festival on November 23. To be held in the picturesque High Vale Biodynamic Orchard in Pickering Brook, the day starts at 10am and wraps at 5pm. In between there will be a host of activities, including talks and tastings. Sip on wine from Margaret River’s renowned Cullen vineyard or Core cider, chat with celebrity providore Vince Garreffa, take a tour of the orchard and listen to one of the talks about biodynamic production. You can also meet the people at the heart of the movement, the producers devoted to bringing you the best of biodynamic food, and sample their wares. Entrance costs $8 adults, children free (and, yes, parents, there will be entertainment for the kiddies). For more information, click here.

Organic Expo 2009

Julie Hosking — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:12:16 +0000

Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, July 24- July 26, 2009
Discover the delights of all things organic at Oceania’s leading and largest organic and green show for consumers and trade. This annual expo, which alternates between Sydney and Melbourne, showcases certified organic and environmentally friendly products and services. It promotes healthier, sustainable and practical living options, covering areas such as food and wine, home and garden, and health and beauty. Since its debut in 2005, the expo has grown bigger and better, with more than 67 percent of visitors staying between three hours and all day at the show. Organisers estimate between 8000 and 10,000 attendees at the 2009 event, featuring more than 200 exhibitors. The Friday is for trade only, but the weekend is open to all comers and will include a demonstration stage, organic vineyard and organic kids fun zone, as well as hosting celebrities, industry professionals and experts. To find out more, click here.

Ethical Supply Chain Summit

Julie Hosking — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:40:29 +0000

Berlin, October 16-17, 2008
Representatives from major corporations L’Oreal, Cadbury and Toyota, as well as Fairtrade, carbon and labor groups are among the speakers at this year’s summit. Run by Ethical Corporation, issues on the agenda include:

Practical ways to measure your carbon footprint
Auditing: How to use both social and environmental audits to achieve positive long term effect
Complying with labour regulation and standards: Achieving best practice
Complying with environmental regulation: Challenges and solutions
Microfinance – the role the financial sector can play in creating sustainable and profitable supply chains
Reducing carbon emissions throughout your supply chain – why you can no longer dodge the issue
Working with competitors, governments, NGOs and trade unions to improve your supply chain management.

For more information, click here.

Organic Week

Julie Hosking — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:53:53 +0000

Saturday, October 11 to October 19
Australia celebrates the growing significance of all things organic with its first official Organic Week with a host of events across the nation. To be launched by agricultural ministers in the five states, it will feature everything from organic wine tasting to farm tours and government conferences. Danielle Farrow, event organiser with the Centre for Organic Research and Enterprise (CORE), says producer involvement will be a main feature of the week, with consumers encouraged to learn more about organic growers and methods in their region. Eric Love, chair of CORE and deputy chair of the Organic Federation of Australia, says one of the major objectives of the week will be to show people the role organic systems have to play in farm management and the environment. For more information click here.