Organics Insider

Deardorff Family Farms plans direct-to-consumer program

Oxnard, Calif.-based Deardorff Family Farms plans to launch a community supported agriculture program in August where Ventura County residents can sign up for weekly subscriptions of organic produce.

Oregon firm recalls berries; suits filed; codes corrected

(UPDATED COVERAGE, June 6 ) A hepatitis A outbreak linked to an organic berry mix from Townsend Farms Inc. is spreading while the farm is under federal investigation and facing multiple lawsuits.

Townsend recalled the berries June 3, four days after the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration warned retailers and the public to discard the product.

Oregon grower’s product linked to hepatitis A outbreak

Federal officials are warning consumers and retailers to throw out a blend of frozen berries from Townsend Farms Inc. because they have been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened at least 30 people in five states.

North Carolina researchers seek organic alternative to chlorine

In March, N.C. State University hired Chen Jiang, a graduate student, to assist Penelope Perkins-Veazie with the postharvest research.

USDA pumps up organic services

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack wants all agencies under his jurisdiction to make it standard operation procedure to address the needs of the organic sector.

New organic advisory council forming

The Organic Trade Association is founding a farmers advisory council.

Earthbound Farm may be sold

Organic grower-shipper Earthbound Farm has hired Barclays to sell the company, according to a Reuters report.

Earthbound VP says company will share food safety information

BALTIMORE — Food safety should not be a competitive advantage as far as Will Daniels is concerned, and the senior vice president of Earthbound Farm backed that up by announcing the company will open its wash line and facilities to give competitors information on beefing up their own food safety programs.

Daniels made the announcement during his speech at the Food Safety Summit May 1. Event organizers said about 1,500 people registered for the three-day event. He said he plans to begin finalizing the details of the Earthbound Farm facility tours as soon as he returns to California.

Chiquita, Organics Unlimited partner on bananas

An agreement between Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Organics Unlimited will expand organic banana offerings in the U.S. with fruit from Mexico and Ecuador.

Earthbound Farm makes personnel moves

Organic grower-shipper Earthbound Farm completed a series of promotions and hires in the early months of 2013, moves aimed at supporting expected growth.