News & Media :: Press Releases
"Ripe for Revolution" Event in New York City
October 28, 2008
For Immediate Release
The Organic Center and Rodale Institute Debut Organic Solution Education Campaign to Showcase Power of Organic Food and Farming to Solve World's Most Pressing Problems
"Ripe for Revolution" kickoff event at New York's Chelsea Art Museum highlights research proving organic farming's role in helping solve human health, global warming, ecological sustainability and world hunger issues
NEW YORK (October 28, 2008) – The Organic Center and Rodale Institute, two internationally renowned research and education organizations focused on the science of food and farming, announced today that they are partnering to launch the Organic Solution campaign. The new movement centers around increasing awareness among consumers, media, researchers, educators, policy makers and thought leaders about how organic food and farming can quickly and inexpensively resolve our current health, environmental and hunger issues by changing the way we grow, buy and eat our food.
A special evening reception and educational event, "Ripe for Revolution: The Organic Solution" will kick off the campaign on Tuesday, November 11, from 6:00 – 9:30 pm at New York's Chelsea Art Museum. The event will present cutting-edge research on the benefits of organic food and farming in an entertaining and informative format and will feature gourmet organic food developed by celebrity chefs Michel Nischan and Christina Pirello alongside organic wines, cocktails and other beverages. The evening also will raise critical funds for future research and educational activities of The Organic Center and Rodale Institute.
The host committee for the evening will feature organic luminaries including leading pediatrician and author Alan Greene, M.D.; supermodel Emme; Rodale Press Chair Maria Rodale; green lifestyle expert and TV host Sara Snow; Arran Stephens, founder and CEO of organic food maker Nature's Path; world-renowned integrative medicine pioneer and author Andrew Weil, M.D.; and David Zinczenko, Sr. VP and Editor in Chief of Men's Health magazine.
"We are at a tipping point in history where we face several grave challenges, but at the same time have the means within our reach to effectively address these issues through the increased adoption and use of organic agriculture and production methods," said Steven Hoffman, Managing Director of The Organic Center. "We're extremely pleased to be partnering with Rodale Institute on this historic initiative to show the public, scientists, media and policy makers the research-backed steps they can take to make a difference around the world."
While organic food sales account for $20 billion, or nearly 3% of overall food sales in the United States, only one quarter of 1 percent (0.25%) of farmland in the U.S. is farmed organically. Consumer demand for organic has been growing 15% to 20% for the last 14 years. Based on demand, there are now products that range from organic beauty care, food and wine to 100 percent organic designer clothing. Studies from The Organic Center and Rodale Institute show that organic fruits and vegetables are on average 25% more nutritious in 11 key nutrients than their conventional counterparts, organic soils perform better in periods of drought and flood, and a bushel of organic corn harvested uses 30% less energy than a bushel of conventional corn.
"The way we farm may be the single biggest – and most undervalued – way that we can mitigate global warming," said Tim LaSalle, Rodale Institute CEO. "And, our research shows that organic can help feed the world. Yields in organic production are comparable to that of agriculture that uses chemical inputs, and in stress years of drought or flood organic yields can be up to 30% higher. Changing the way consumers shop and eat can actually help change the world for the better."
Beginning at 5:00 pm on November 11, media and journalists are invited to a press conference, to be held in advance of the reception at the Chelsea Art Museum. The reception, beginning at 6:00 pm, will feature a science fair, brief program, silent auction and product displays.
Sponsors of the event include Diamond Sponsor O OrganicsTM; Platinum Sponsor Rodale Inc.; Gold Sponsors Nature's Path Foods, Neighbor Agency, Gold Group, and Organic Works Marketing; Silver Sponsors In-House Creative and Organic Valley; and Bronze Sponsors Healing Quest and Shumei Natural Agriculture.
About Ripe for Revolution: The Organic Solution
• Benefit for The Organic Center and Rodale Institute, plus Press Conference and Science Fair
• Featuring Gourmet Organic Foods by Celebrity Chefs Michel Nischan and Christina Pirello
• Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 6:00 – 9:30 pm
• Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St., New York, NY
• Tickets: $125 per person, available at www.organicsolution.org, or call 303.499.1840
• Press passes available to credentialed journalists. Contact mia@neighboragency.com to RSVP.
About The Organic Center
The Organic Center's unique mission to advance verifiable scientific research behind the health and environmental benefits of organic foods, and to communicate those benefits to the public, is built upon a guiding vision. We envision improved health for the earth and its inhabitants through conversion of agriculture to organic methods. Citizens need credible, peer-reviewed evidence on how organic products and systems benefit human health and the environment in order for more people to choose organic products and thus shift. With more information at hand, consumers, civic organizations, government agencies, and the many businesses that make up the organic chain of custody play key roles in the stewardship of our public and planetary health. Learn more at www.organic-center.org.
About Rodale Institute
The Rodale Institute's mission is to provide farmers with the know-how, tools, and techniques they need to succeed; policy-makers the information they need to best support our farmers and the food production system that is best for our health and environment; and consumers with the resources they need to make informed decisions about the food they buy and eat. Rodale Institute grew out of the vision of J.I. Rodale who in the 1930s asserted that healthy soil = healthy food = healthy people. Bob Rodale expanded on J.I.'s pioneering work in organics, building an institution dedicated to both innovative research and education. Learn more at www.rodaleinstitute.org.
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