Please SUPPORT the Organic Check-off Program

Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

I want to serve organic food to my family but I can’t due to prices.  We are a paycheck to paycheck family, so we have a budget I need to stick too and plus I have to feed five people. My organic food purchases are very limited. Wouldn’t it be nice if organic food was a mainstream choice and available to everyone without the ridiculous price tag?  Of course, I understand why it is high priced but darn it I want to give my family healthier foods without it costing me a fortune!  I refer to organic foods as Macy’s of food so my kids will understand I just can’t afford it! 

What if I told you there is a way we can do something about this- Support the Organic Check-off! 

What is the Organic Check-Off:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Jan. 17 announced it is seeking public comments to a proposal for a nationwide research and promotion check-off program for organic. An organic check-off will provide research and offer tools farmers to encourage them to go organic and help all organic farmers be more successful. On the consumer end, it will work to educate us about what that organic seal we find on our food means.

Do you remember the “Got Milk” and “The Incredible Edible Egg” campaigns well they are examples of promotions that was paid for by check-off programs? An Organic Check-off program would coordinate a promotion plan in the form of TV, media ads, in-store promotions, social campaigns, and other high profile promotional activities. 

An Organic Check-off would provide research and offer tools for farmers to encourage them to go organic and be more successful in their businesses. Now on our end, it will work to educate us about what the organic seal is all about and why we need to eat organic. I see so many benefits from this program!  

What is the purpose of the Organic Check-off? An Organic Check-off program would generate money for the organic sector to:

• Educate consumers about what organically is and its benefits

• Distinguish organic from lesser claims and unregulated seals like “natural.”

• Confirm the science behind the environmental and public health benefits of organic

• Undertake research to solve problems such as invasive pests and weed control

• Bring new farmers into organic production through information and technical assistance

• Reduce the supply crunch by transitioning farmland to organic farming across the U.S.

Some concerns that have been brought up is important to address too, like what about the FARMERS! This is designed to assist to give organic producers a VOICE. Farmers will hold at least half of the voting seats on the board.  The Check-off Board would be made up of 50 percent producers and 50 percent handlers. The money will be spent on funding consumer advertising and education, public relations, and programs to support the transition of U.S. land to organic.

All of the research, inventions, and innovations resulting from organic check-off programming would remain in the public domain. A referendum is required every seven years to decide whether or not to continue the program.

Where will the money come from...well all organic certificate holders throughout the supply chain would pay a small fee to participate in the check-off. 

[Tweet “Thousands of #organic farmers, processors + others have voiced their support for the #Organic Check-off http://groorganic.net/endorse_final”]

Please read more about the Organic Check-off Program on MAMAVATION.COM

If you are interested is supporting, please fill out this form below! The USDA has established a 120-day public comment period (ends May 16th) for interested parties to weigh in on the proposal. To make it simple and easy to share your personal comments, you can do so right in the comment box below. Plus your comment will be recorded directly on the USDA’s Federal Register! 

Please share with family and friends so we can get the word out!!