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Christmas is approaching quickly so it’s probably time to begin stocking up on the organically certified snack and finger foods. I’ve decided to avoid most of the unhealthy ones this year. These include salt laden chips, peanuts, toffee, marshmallow, and those syrupy rum balls which Granddad likes. To avoid harsh judgments from all and sundry, it’s important to come up with alternative snacks which reasonable minded people will accept and enjoy. Here’s a list which comes readily to mind. Rice crackers offer a healthy alternative to potato chips. These authentic Japanese snacks are baked instead of fried, consequently they rate low in the unhealthy saturated fats. Better brands depend on natural ingredients like seaweed,...

Unfortunately, with the rise of industrial agriculture and the promotion of hybrid seed varieties, much of the knowledge associated with seed saving has been lost. This is disconcerting on a number of levels, not least of which is the real potential that exists for food choices available to future generations to be seriously compromised as a result of the loss of genetic material necessary to provide diversity in crop species. While technology hasn’t always aided in the advancement of the organic movement, the internet has become a helpful tool and resource for those dedicated to seed saving. Many wonderful sites now exist that provide information and practical advice on seed saving. Some of these are the websites of dedicated organisations...

Sandra Slack is the head of Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library. Sandra, together with a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, performs the important role of conserving, documenting, and making available a range of vegetable varieties that are no longer widely circulated. This is time-consuming work that requires significant attention to detail. The work undertaken by Sandra and her team ensures that crop genetic material can be retained for future generations. Organic Guide recently interviewed Sandra to find out more about her work and the crucial role played within the organic movement by Garden Organic. Q: How and when was Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library established? A: Through the mid 1970s legislation was introduced...

It’s probably fair to say that there is no better example of a committed and successful grassroots organization than Seeds of Diversity – Canada’s Heritage Seed Program. Seeds of Diversity is a charitable organization with 1700 members dedicated to collecting, documenting, and promoting the use of non-hybrid seeds that are of significance to both current and future generations of Canadians. Without organizations such as Seeds of Diversity, the future of the organic movement would not be nearly as bright! Why is saving seeds important? Saving seeds is a fundamental activity for both organic gardeners and professional growers alike. Seed saving helps to maintain the genetic integrity of crop varieties for future generations. Unlike most...

It’s sometimes difficult to believe that the widespread application of GE in agriculture dates only from 1996. This suggests that there is much to learn about the environmental and health implications of the technology. There are strong indications of consumer resistance to GE products and growing preferences for safe food options, particularly organically certified and holistic foods free of chemical and other contaminants. The unwarranted introduction of GE materials poses a threat to organic producers and the concerned consumer who prefers to avoid undisclosed risk. Seeds of Distrust, written by Nicky Hager, explores the anti-democratic influence of big business in New Zealand and how political expediency, self-interest and the abuse...