The domestic supply of organic has lagged behind as consumer demand for organic has sky-rocketed. While organic food sales account for more than 5 percent of total U.S. food sales, less than 1 percent of U.S. farmland is dedicated to organic agriculture. As a result, more and more organic food companies are having to turn to foreign suppliers to meet the growing demand for organic. This means that American farmers are losing out on opportunities to boost their incomes and reduce their environmental impacts.
Organic agriculture preserves biodiversity, improves soil health and reduces the use of synthetic pesticides. Producing more organics will not only help protect our environment, it will make healthy, homegrown, nutritious foods more accessible for more Americans.
Organic agriculture is good for the environment and good for our health. Consumer demand is soaring, but major retailers like Costco simply can’t keep their shelves stocked. Why?
Because our broken food policy system prioritizes subsidies to Big Ag and skimps when it comes to giving America’s farmers the tools and resources they need to make the switch to organic. That means that organic food companies and retailers are increasingly having to look to imports from other countries to meet the soaring demand for organic here at home.
But luckily, new legislation could help reverse that trend. Rep. Ann Kuster, D-N.H., introduced the Homegrown Organic Act (H.R. 3637) to better assist producers intending to transition to organic manage the technical, economic and land-access challenges they face.
Join EWG in the fight to grow more organics by asking your representative to support this bill!
We can make a change in a healthier, cleaner food system today by passing the Homegrown Organic Act. Will you join us?
TAKE ACTION: Tell your representative to stand up for a healthier food system by supporting the Homegrown Organic Act (H.R. 3637)! LINK please make it a button: https://secure.ewg.org/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=7998&track=EM_201710_Act_HomegrownOrg_FNWG
Thanks for standing with us, Friend.
Colin O'NeilLegislative Director, EWG