Organic Council of Ontario / Le Conseil Biologique de l'Ontario
The Organic Council / Le Conseil Biologique de l'Ontario is a membership-based non-profit association representing the organic sector in Ontario at a provincial and national level. The Organic Council of Ontario represents all groups (including producers, processors, marketers, distributors, suppliers, certifiers, retailers, restaurants and others), providing leadership and supporting the continued growth of Ontario's organic sector.
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Become an Organic Supporter!
The Organic Council of Ontario offers memberships to individuals who are interested in supporting the growth of Ontario organics and would like to be a part of the movement to bring local organic products to Ontario consumers.
Trade memberships are also available to anyone who has all or part of their business in Ontario, has a farm in Ontario, or is a resident of Ontario.
To find out more about memberships click here
Ready to join? click here
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Organic Turkeys
The Organic Council of Ontario is currently in discussion with the Turkey Farmers of Ontario (TFO) regarding organic certification of Ontario turkeys. The TFO has imposed a rule which requires that "all turkeys must at all times be housed under a solid roof". The Canadian Organic Standard (COR) requires turkeys to have access to outdoors to be certified organic. This means farmers holding turkey quota in Ontario cannot produce turkey that meets the COR, which is in line with international organic standards. *Note: this rule only applies to turkey producers who hold quota, not backyard flocks of under 50 birds or to other poultry farmers.
To learn more about OCO's involvment with the TFO click here
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Ontario Organic Production Clubs
The Organic Council of Ontario initiated a pilot project for the development of Organic Production Clubs in Ontario. The project provides funding to these clubs so that they are able to hold meetings, bring in speakers, participate in farm tours and conferences in order to learn more about their organic farming operations.
Clubs are open to new members. Check out our production club information page for more details on the clubs and their activities.
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Marketing Ontario Organics
The Organic Council of Ontario identified a need for a marketing strategy for organics in Ontario. The Ontario Minister of Agriculture has ensured commitment from OMAFRA to assist OCO in acheiving these goals. OMAFRA will work closely with the OCO to develop a Foodland Ontario Organic brand for use by certified organic producers and processors in Ontario. There is still much to do but this commitment from OMAFRA is a significant step forward.
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OCO Member Spotlight:
The Healthy Butcher
In less than five years, The Healthy Butcher has become recognized as a major force in the organic meat industry – both in the GTA and around the world as it is consistently recognized and referenced in publications all over Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia. The Healthy Butcher was founded by Mario Fiorucci – a former Bay St. lawyer – and Tara Longo – a former Bay St. investment banker, both of whom left their executive lifestyle to pursue their passion – food.
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OCO Members win 2009 Premier's Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Awards
Congratulations to OCO members CIPM Inc. and Christina Anderman of the Ottawa Valley Food Co-op as they were recently awarded with a 2009 Premier's Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Award.
These awards are given in recognition to the creative ideas growing on farms and in rural communities across the Province. There were fourteen awards given to various innovators in agriculture of whom are rarely recognized for their work in the field.
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Government Relations
The Organic Council of Ontario has launched a new webpage that contains documents of some of the Council's communications with the Government.
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Looking for Organics?
Looking for local organic producers, processors, retailers, restaurants, and wholesalers in your area? The Organic Council of Ontario offers a free online directory of organic buisnesses in Ontario.
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Funding for this project was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdvance Program |
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The Organic Council of Ontario gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
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Last Updated: 2009-06-26 14:58:35