“What’s Behind the Label: Searching for Integrity in Food Marketing,” a Question and Answer Panel Discussion on Food Certification

Many of us have already made our health and our beliefs a top priority in our daily lives. Our values are most visible in our food buying choices—we typically choose whole foods retaining their natural purity. We are not alone. Every year more Americans are choosing food products marketed as “Natural,” “Organic,” or “Sustainable.”

Research conducted by the USDA and a variety of food industry professional associations shows the “natural” foods category as one of the fastest growing segments of the domestic food economy. This means conventional food products are losing market share, and that has drawn the attention of the traditional Agri-business and conventional food processing industry. Now labels across food categories claim everything from Fair Trade to Cruelty Free. Even Wal-Mart is adding organics to their offerings.

How do we really know what’s behind the label? The responsible skeptic should ensure they know how to buy what they believe in rather than reward the marketing savvy status quo. But where does the search for integrity in food marketing begin?

To benefit its members and our community, Northwest VEG has assembled a panel of experts in Food Certification to demystify the marketing dilemma. Please join us for this rare opportunity to have your questions answered by the people who ensure marketers have to account for their label claims.

What: NORTHWEST VEG proudly presents “What’s Behind the Label: Searching for Integrity in Food Marketing,” a Question and Answer panel discussion on Food Certification.

Who: Panelists include representatives from:

• Oregon Tilth Certified Organic—a highly respected and fully accredited USDA National Organic Program Certifying Agent. This is the oversight body for many USDA Organic products you use every day.
• Food Alliance—the most respected Certifier of sustainable agricultural and food processing practices in operation. They have recently expanded their standards and Food Alliance Certified Sustainable products are in grocery stores now!
• Salmon Safe—a regionally important standard that certifies a variety of companies’ practices based on their impact on threatened and encroached upon (dare we say endangered?) Pacific NW Salmon species.
• Moderator: Ryan Wist, Northwest VEG member and food industry insider.

When: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 @ 7:00 pm

Where: The First Congregational Church, 1124 SW Park Ave. in downtown Portland

Admission: This is a free event, though donations are encouraged to help cover the cost of the venue rental.