(This article is promoted by Canada Organic Trade Association)

We’ve never been so interested in knowing where our food comes from—words like local, free range, grass-fed, non-GMO, and all-natural are as much a part of our daily conversations as “please” and “thank you”. But there’s one word that encompasses the ethos and high standards that we’ve come to expect from a sustainable food system more than any other: organic. That’s why, for a week in September, farmers and eaters alike will come together to celebrate Organic Week, a festival devoted to all things organic.

Organic Week is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming, and products in Canada. And, according to Henry Chen of the Canada Organic Trade Association, we have a lot to celebrate: “Together, we’re supporting a growing organic sector, transparent food system, and a sustainable source of food for the future.” Hundreds of individual events across Canada will showcase the benefits of organic agriculture and its positive impact on the environment.

In B.C., look forward to events at farmers markets (such as organic juice tasting in Pemberton), and keep an eye out for events in your community. The weeklong celebration culminates in the Okanagan Organic Festival on September 25, where you can savour organic food and wine at Summerhill Pyramid Winery, enjoy biodynamic garden tours, and sample live local music and children’s entertainment. Farmers will benefit from the Certified Organic Associations of B.C.’s touring Organic Roadshow, which features workshops on everything from DIY organic animal feed to Certification 101.

In light of the B.C. government’s mandate to regulate the term organic, helping farmers transition to certified organic will be a big theme this year. Soon, if you see the word “organic” on a food product in B.C., you won’t have to wonder if it’s certified, or how it’s been grown. With the new regulations, B.C. consumers can be confident knowing that certified organic is a choice that’s good for people and the planet.

In a time of growing awareness of the relationship between how food is grown and both our health and our impact on the environment, certified organic products offer an unmatched level of integrity and assurance. Because organic certification is government regulated, we can trace a product from farm to fork knowing that every step along the supply chain has protected and maintained the organic integrity that begins on the farm.

As well, organic farming methods offer the best model for promoting climatefood production because they are less dependent on fossil-fuel-based fertilizers and persistent pesticides. Organic farming helps store high levels of carbon in the soil, promotes wildlife diversity, reduces pest outbreaks, protects soil from erosion, helps prevent contamination of water, and uses far less energy than conventional farming.

In contrast to unregulated terms such as “grass-fed” and “free range”, organic standards also have detailed animal-welfare requirements that ensure animals are treated well, and have access to the outdoors and plenty of living space. Animals must be raised without synthetic hormones or the routine use of antibiotics, and cannot be fed any GMO feed.

And at a time when chronic illness is on the rise, eating organic food reduces our exposure to pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Canada’s organic standards place strict limits and prohibitions on the use of persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, the routine use of drugs, antibiotics or synthetic hormones, animal cloning, genetic engineering (GMOs), sewage sludge (biosolids), and irradiation. Organic is the only non-GMO standard overseen by the Canadian government—organic standards forbid the use of genetic engineering (GMOs) in seeds, animal feed, and the ingredients of processed organic food and products.

Organic Week 2016 promises to be the most vibrant, impactful festival yet. To find an event near you, or learn more about organic, visit organicweek.ca.

(This article is promoted by Canada Organic Trade Association)