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Until recently, there were limited interactions between the cut flower industry and the organics movement. With the exception of dedicated plant breeders, the mainstream and popular flowers were largely grown in chemically treated soils with the assistance of toxic insecticides and spreading agents. In the flower plantations of developing nations, many of these materials are applied so indiscriminately that there is an adverse impact upon the local environment. There are international health surveys which detail neurological and respiratory problems caused by elevated levels of chemical exposure. With the knowledge that some overseas flower plantations utilise child labour, the ethical consumer is obliged to consider purchasing an alternative...

Dagoba Organic Chocolate, a company that grew rapidly from humble beginnings, has become one of the world’s most respected manufacturers of premium organic chocolate. Frederick Schilling, the driving force behind Dagoba, recently shared with us his views on chocolate, Dagoba, and life in general. It’s always inspiring to hear the thoughts and views of someone like Frederick. Clearly, he loves what he is doing. And like many within the organic community, Frederick has a real social conscience. Through the principles of fair trade and the careful development of mutually beneficial long-term relationships, Frederick is ensuring that those involved in articulating his dream are also able to share in the benefits of Dagoba’s hard-earned...

The history of cane sugar has been shaped to a large extent by the plantations of the West Indies, Pacific Islands, and several regions within Latin America. Iturbe, Paraguay has recently distinguished itself as the official headquarters of the Asociación Agricola Cañera del Sur. Since the emergence of democratic government in 1989, agricultural cooperatives have become central to the lives of Paraguay’s primary producers, including those involved in the organic sugar sector. For a variety of reasons, most sugar producers are not in a position to raise the capital required to modernise operations and secure their access to international markets where organic products are desperately sought. Smaller producers have generally missed out...