Washington Organic Week

Washington Organic Week Wraps Up. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.

All this week has been Washington Organic Week. Tilth Producers of Washington has hosted the week-long campaign to connect consumers with Washington organic products & growers. Just a few years ago even, organic food production was relegated to the fringe folks but has now grown into a very strong and viable industry. Michele Catalano with Tilth Producers talks about that growth.

CATALANO: The organic label has really become much more standard on the food scene; that USDA label that signifies certified organic by the National Organic Program. There's more and more retailers that are specializing in or carrying organic products. There's more companies that want to get into the organic world by adding organic product lines. We're also seeing just more acreage being turned over to organics and we're seeing that locally as well.

Over the last 10 years the organic acreage in Washington State has doubled.

CATALANO: It's now up close to 90-thousand acres and Washington continues to be a leader in producing organic products. So for instance, 70% of the nation's organic apples are grown in Washington State. We're also leaders in several other crops so people see Washington organics both here at home and elsewhere and it just helps to get that in front of them and make them become more comfortable and aware of the value of organics.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.