It’s organic food week in BC and the Province is releasing guidelines for its new organic foods certification program.
Director of Certified Organic Associations of BC Jen Gamble says the new system will standardize the sector
“This is really just bringing the province into line with a lot of the regulations that already exist. So it’s a guarantee from the consumer, that when they buy something that says organic it meets the organic standard.”
She says the program will be online by 2018.
Gamble says the organic farming industry is growing quickly in BC, with two-thirds of shoppers buy organic foods weekly.
“A local farmer will be able to apply to a regional certification body and become certified if they would like to use the term ‘organic’. Then we have consistency across the board.” Gamble added
The total estimated value of the Canadian organic market is $3.6 billion dollars.
(Files from MY PRINCE GEORGE NOW)