The 2007 National Organic Dairy Week (4th – 10th June) aims to highlight the benefits of consuming organic dairy products, as well educating consumers about the positive environmental benefits of organic dairy farming. The partners involved also hope to stimulate debate and interest in organic food.
The initiative is supported by a number of commercial partners including Rachel's Organic, OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative) and Calon Wen.
Helen Taylor, Marketing Director of Soil Association comments," The Soil Association recognises the vital importance of helping support British organic dairy farmers. It is great that more and more people are buying organic milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products in the UK. This is based on the fact that they think they taste better, but importantly producing milk organically is also better for the environment, the welfare of cows and our own health".
Dairy produce can help maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle and is vital for the development of strong bones, teeth, nails and hair. This is particularly important for young children and teenagers. Recent research has also highlighted that organically produced milk contains 68% more of the essential fatty acid Omega 3 (ALA) than non-organic milk*.
Dairy produce such as milk and yogurt are often perceived as containing high levels of fat when in fact wholemilk and most yogurts contain less than 4%. Even Greek style yogurt generally has less than 10% fat. And whilst richer offerings of cream and butter have higher fat levels, sensible portions still provide essential, natural vitamins (A & D), minerals and protein that are especially important for growing children. In addition, scientists have shown that calcium can play an important role in controlling weight and it is a vital nutrient that offers long term protection against bone disease such as osteoporosis.
In addition to it's health credentials, organic milk is also produced in a way which provides environmental benefits. Organic dairy farmers are not allowed to feed their cows any GM crops, the fields are not sprayed with artificial chemical pesticides or fertilisers and organic milk is 38% more energy efficient per tonne than non-organic milk. In addition the farming system contributes to greater biodiversity and an increase in on farm wildlife. Animal welfare is also paramount on organic farms, for instance, there is no routine use of antibiotics and cows enjoy natural grazing and foraging on diverse pastures in the fresh air.
"According to the Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo), sales of organic milk remain strong, with expected growth of 20% for the year to March 2007. This rising consumer demand has partly been driven by the publication of scientific research highlighting the nutritional differences between of organic and non-organic milk. All in all it seems that more and more people are realising the significance of switching to organic milk, which is great news for them and great news for British organic dairy farmers" says Helen Taylor, Marketing Director of the Soil Association.
Activities for National Organic Dairy Week also include in-store promotions plus on pack competitions and money off discounts, press advertising and in-store demonstrations. A full supporting PR programme of activity by participants is also underway.
