SAN DIEGO, Calif. – More than 91 percent of consumers that purchase organic produce favor the current U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy that allows organic farmers to grow organic produce in containers, according to a survey conducted on behalf of The Coalition for Sustainable Organics.
This November, the National Organic Standards Board, the body that recommends changes to the USDA National Organic Program, is scheduled to consider proposals that will restrict or prohibit container-production methods from organic certification. These survey results demonstrate the negative impact that a program ban on organic container-grown food could have on consumer perceptions of the USDA.
Container Growing As a Sustainable Approach
Container growing is a controlled growing system in which plants derive nutrients from approved organic substances in water and/or growing material. A 2015 study showed water savings of more than 90 percent for container systems versus open-field production systems. These growing methods promote sustainability in many ways:
- They generally require fewer resources per pound of fruits, vegetable or herbs produced compared to food grown outdoors in the soil
- In most cases, container growing uses less water, needs less land, significantly reduces soil erosion and extends the growing season of plants
- It also reduces runoff of nutrients or other chemicals into streams, lakes and water aquifers
“The Coalition believes that everyone deserves access to organic produce,” stated Lee Frankel, executive director of The Coalition for Sustainable Organics. “By restricting the organic label only to plants grown in the ground, the USDA would be choosing to supply fewer consumers with the quality organic produce they want and expect.”
“The Coalition believes that everyone deserves organics. By continuing to define organic growing by how the plants are nourished and protected from pests and disease, we can continue to increase the diversity and number of producers supplying consumers with what they want and expect.”
Additional Survey Findings
The survey also revealed other facets of organic growing that are important to consumers. 93 percent of respondents indicated that further reductions in pesticide use are extremely or very important, and 89 percent stated that the organic industry should focus on improved affordability. “Banning container systems would severely restrict existing supplies and raise the prices of items like tomatoes, berries, herbs, living lettuce and sprouts, just as consumers are demanding more of them,” stated Colin Archipley, owner of Archi’s Acres. Archi’s Acres is a farming enterprise that utilizes hydro-organic technology to grow organic produce. Headquartered in Escondido, California, Archi’s Acres is a certified organic greenhouse operation, which grows living basil, kale, and other herbs and produce.
“Maintaining current standards for certifying organic containerized growing simply makes sense. These production methods have brought new growers and more local production into the supply chain to serve the growing organic market. Changing the rules now would unfairly and unnecessarily limit the amount of organic produce available to the public,” said Colin Archipley.
Speak Up for Sustainable Organics
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened a formal comment period where everyone, including consumers, producers, restaurants and supermarkets can express their view on the matter. “The future of a diverse and sustainable organic supply is at risk,” said Lee Frankel. “People need to share their opinion with the US Department of Agriculture and the National Organics Standards Board to keep that supply as part of the organic family. They can do so over the internet by going to =AMS-NOP-16-0049-0001 .”