USA: Organic – it's worth it in schools

This spring, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is helping schools access and offer students more organic food with a national contest. With its “Organic. Its Worth it in Schools.” initiative, the OTA, which represents more than 1,400 organic food and product companies, is calling on teachers, parents, students, educators and others to vote for their favorite school to win an organic garden complete with seeds, soil and expert gardening support; or a fully stocked vending machine, which can feature organic items like milk, fruit, cheese, yogurt and snacks. Through May 1, 2010, individuals visit Organic. It's Worth it and enter their school name and address while at the same time “voting” by signing up for an electronic newsletter featuring organic tips, recipes, news and more. A school must receive a minimum 1,000 votes (or newsletter sign-ups) to win. The winning school selects the garden or vending machine for installation in the 2010-11 school year.

According to Christine Bushway, executive director of OTA, they know schools in large cities and small towns work hard to promote healthy food and environmental stewardship. With "Organic. It’s Worth it in Schools.", they want to provide them with one more tool. The site also features further tools and information for schools, parents and students to advocate for more organic food in schools, as well as information about the healthful, economic and social benefits of organic food and gardening. The Organic Trade Association is conducting the initiative as an extension of its first-ever national consumer education and awareness campaign, which launched in March 2009. “Organic. It’s worth it.” is an online outreach effort highlighting the benefits of organic food, farming and home products.

OTA