Why Is Organic Worth It for You?

Why Is Organic Worth It for You?

Organic Institute Conducts Search for Consumer Ambassador as Industry Marks 17 Percent Sales Growth

Deadline for Submissions Extended; Considering Videos Via YouTube Through May 31

GREENFIELD, Mass., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As consumers' commitment to organic products fuels impressive 17 percent growth despite a tough economy, the Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute (Organic Institute) is conducting a truly organic search via YouTube for its first-ever national consumer ambassador to serve as a spokesperson.

Are you a mom just wanting to do your part to help the environment? A foodie baking organic treats for friends? A family farmer raising organic food to help foster a more sustainable planet? The Organic Institute may want you as its "organic idol."

Participation is easy and no celebrities are allowed: the Organic Institute - the non-profit educational organization affiliated with the 1,700-member Organic Trade Association (OTA) - is calling on everyday individuals to submit videos explaining why they feel organic products are worth it.

Through May 31, visit the Organic Institute's YouTube group at http://www.youtube.com/group/organicidol and submit a 30-second video explaining "the moment you realized organic was worth it." Heartfelt, creative and quirky videos are welcomed, and encouraged.

"Despite a down economy, the organic industry's 17 percent sales growth proves there are more and more individuals each year who are realizing organic food is worth it for their health, their families and the environment," said Christine Bushway, president of the Organic Institute and executive director of OTA. "We know there are myriad individuals with distinct and amazing stories on why they choose organic products. Through these efforts, we want to share their stories with the world and encourage others to choose the same."

The Organic Institute's board will consider the top 12 videos with the most views by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 31 as the initiative's program finalists - a three week extension from the original May 8 deadline. At the All Things Organic trade show in Chicago in mid-June, the Organic Institute and OTA members will review finalists and select the overall winner, designating him or her as the official pitch person for the Organic Institute's fall 2009 consumer education campaign. The winner will receive a trip for two to Washington, D.C., and his or her story also will be shared on the Organic Institute's consumer awareness Web site, www.organicitsworthit.com.

For full details, visit www.organicitsworthit.com/getinvolved.html.

The Organic Institute is launching the initiative on the heels of its first-ever national consumer education and awareness campaign, which launched in March. "Organic. It's worth it." is an online outreach effort highlighting the benefits of organic food, farming and home products.

About the Organic Institute

The mission of the Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute (Organic Institute) is to educate about the attributes, benefits and practices of organic agriculture and products today for better environmental and personal health tomorrow. To achieve its mission, the Organic Institute focuses on informing, educating and training agriculturalists, processors, academics and other professionals, as well as students, consumers and the general public in order to increase the amount of farmland under organic production and the number of people choosing organic products. www.theorganicinstitute.org

About the Organic Trade Association

Founded nearly 25 years ago, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its 1,700 members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. www.ota.com

Source: Organic Trade Association

CONTACT: Renee Kelly of the Organic Trade Association, +1-612-372-6450,
renee@habermaninc.com

Web Site: http://www.ota.com/
http://www.theorganicinstitute.org/
http://www.organicitsworthit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/group/organicidol

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