26.07.06
Join in the first Organic Beach 'Olympics' at
Watergate Bay, Cornwall
Organic South West (OSW) is hosting the very first Organic
Beach 'Olympics' at the Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay near
Newquay from 10am – 6pm on Saturday 9 September, in
what promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family.
Traci Lewis, OSW project manager says: "We are
hosting a beach 'Olympics', to celebrate national
organic fortnight, which will include a tug-of-war, beach
volleyball, and softball competition running alongside a six-aside
football tournament. There will also be an organic beach BBQ
and opportunities to enjoy some of Cornwall's best organic
food and drink, whether you want to join in or just spectate.
"Watergate Bay is the ideal place to hold an event
like this as it has a fantastic beach and is a wonderful environment
in which to enjoy some of the best Cornish organic produce,"
said Traci. "We've even got organic health
and beauty treatments for you to try whilst relaxing on the
beach."
To ensure the day appeals to the whole family, OSW have invited
Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium to lead a rockpool roadshow;
there will also be a sandcastle competition, ice-cream relays,
hula hoop racing, face painting – and much more to keep
children busy throughout the day. Local Cornish organic food
and drink producers will be offering samples and products
to buy - so make a note in your diary now - and get into training.
Call Organic South West on 01208 78988 for more information
or visit their website for up-to-date information.
The event is just one of many planned across the UK to celebrate
Organic Fortnight, which takes place from 2 - 17 September
2006 kicking off with the Organic Food Festival in Bristol
on 2 and 3 September where a Cornish pavilion will no doubt
attract plenty of attention. Look out for events around the
Organic Experience weekend (9 - 10 September) when farms host
open days with tractor rides, delicious organic barbecues
and walking trails on the agenda.
Organic Fortnight is sponsored by Crazy Jack Organic, Whole
Earth and Seeds of Change.
For further information please contact Emma Parkin on 01392
490009 or email em.parkin@blueyonder.co.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly has invested in Organic South West through
the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).
Anyone considering a new horticulture, food and
land based industries project is advised to speak with Martin
Butler at Government Office South West on 01752 635134 before
commencing development as there are now only limited funds
available due to the successful uptake of funding by the agricultural
sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Editor's notes:
Organic South West is a Soil Association
project, part funded by the EAGGF and Defra through the Objective
One Programme, to help grow the organic market in Cornwall
& the Isles of Scilly. They provide technical, business
and market support across the supply chain to businesses that
produce, process and retail organic produce. They also operate
an Objective One business grant scheme of up to 50% funding
for organic businesses that wish to develop their business.
For more information see: www.organicsouthwest.org
or call 01208 78988.
Soil Association Organic Food Festival (Bristol):
2 & 3 September 2006
The Soil Association's fifth Organic Food Festival, sponsored
by Yeo Valley Organic, is the biggest celebration of organic
food in Europe. The event will see Bristol's stunning
harbourside converted into a vibrant food extravaganza with
over 300 exhibitors and thousands of products from the UK's
leading organic producers. Last year's Festival attracted
an astounding 150,000 visitors.
Organic food and drink, textiles and health and beauty products
will be available for visitors to try and buy. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
will lead the chefs cooking an organic feast in the celebrity
demonstration kitchen. An exciting schedule of talks and tastings,
and an intriguing arts Festival Fringe complete the programme
[1].
Admission is £3.50 (free to under 16s). Advanced tickets
can be purchased on 0870 4444 400 or online.Visit the Soil
Association website for more details: www.soilassociation.org/festival
or call 0117 314 5000.
Somerset-based Yeo Valley Organic are sponsoring the Organic
Food Festival. Ben Cull, Yeo Valley Organic's marketing
director, says, "One of our aims is to bring organic
food within everyone's reach. There's no doubt
that the festival is helping to do that more successfully
with every year."
Patrick Holden, Soil Association director, says, "The
Soil Association is the UK's leading environmental charity
promoting sustainable, organic farming and championing human
health. We believe in rediscovering the pleasures of fresh,
tasty, real food – and challenging the dominant junk
food culture. The Soil Association Organic Food Festivals
have really caught the public's imagination, creating
an exciting and effective means of encouraging us all to change
the way we eat and shop."
Celebrity support:
Donna Air is the public face of the Soil Association's
Organic Fortnight. The TV presenter says, "I am
delighted to be involved with the Soil Association and to
create awareness about the importance of good food. It is
something I feel hugely passionate about.
"Organic food is brilliant because it has no nasties,
and it has more nutrients because it has been allowed to grow
naturally. Good food is the next best thing after love to
give to a child."
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall says, "I'm a committed
supporter of the Soil Association and their Organic Food Festival,
which is a celebration of all that is tasty, healthy and nutritious
about eating local, fresh, organic food. Come and see me cooking
up an organic feast, enjoy the festival fringe and try the
hundreds of great products on offer. It promises to be a great
day out for the whole family."
Did you know...
More and more people are choosing organic for a whole variety
of reasons. Research has shown that people buy organic food
because they believe it is healthier and tastier, as well
as better for the environment and animal welfare.
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For health - on average, organic fruit and vegetables
contain higher levels of vitamin C, essential minerals
and cancer-fighting antioxidants |
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No nasty additives – among the many additives
banned by under Soil Association organic standards are
hydrogenated fat, aspartame (artificial sweetener), and
monosodium glutamate |
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Avoids pesticides – over 400 chemical pesticides
are routinely used in conventional farming, and residues
have been found on one in three non-organic foods tested
each year |
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Avoiding GM – there is insufficient evidence to
prove that GMOs are safe, and some animal feeding trials
have revealed unexpected toxicities. Organic standards
ban the use of GMOs |
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High animal welfare standards – no system has
higher levels of animal welfare standards than organic
farms working to Soil Association standards |
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Organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower
pollution from sprays and produces less carbon dioxide,
the main global warming gas |
Press release issued and distributed on behalf of Organic
South West by Emma Parkin, PR and Media. Tel. 01392 490009
or email: em.parkin@blueyonder.co.uk.
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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