Minister Trevor Sargent today launched Bord Bia’s plans for National Organic Week 2008 which will take place from 15th – 21st September. Over fifty events are planned nationwide including farm walks, in store tastings, information evenings, cookery demonstrations and workshops. Erin Brockovich, the renowned environmental activist, will also join the celebrations with a seminar planned for Saturday 20th September in UCD, Dublin.
National Organic Week, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and co-ordinated by Bord Bia, aims to continue to raise consumer awareness of organic food, how to recognise it and where to buy it. According to new research announced last week, organic sales in Ireland have increased by 82%, reaching a value of €104 million in the year to July 2008, compared to €57 million in the year to July 2006*. The research also revealed 45% of Irish grocery shoppers purchased an organic product in the last month, a significant increase from 20% in 2003.
Launching this year’s plans Minister Sargent commented "I am delighted at the increase in the number of events being held this year and the fact that it is now a truly nationwide event. This is a clear signal that organics is growing in Ireland, which is good news in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to achieve 5% of the land area under organic production by 2012."
Teresa Brophy, Manager of Ireland Market, Bord Bia added “National Organic Week encourages people to buy locally produced food and provides a great opportunity for consumers to focus on the origin of food. With such a variety of events taking place around the country, the week long programme promises to be great fun for adults and children alike.”
The planned activities will be complemented by a comprehensive advertising campaign, number of radio competitions and nationwide recipe leaflet distribution. For further information on National Organic Week including a list of events taking place log on to www.bordbia.ie