Is local food organic?

Not necessarily. Food can only be marketed as organic if it is grown or raised according to certain standards. In Scotland there are several standards, the most well known being set by the Soil Association. Producers who wish to market their food as organic must subscribe to the relevant body and are inspected at regular intervals.

Some growers, including many Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, will grow using organic techniques and without pesticides, but cannot advertise as organic because they are not certified. If this is important to you, check with the producer.

Is there a demand?

According to the Soil Association, in 2004 around 55% of the UK's organically managed land is in Scotland, comprising almost 7% of Scotland's agricultural land. Around 2/3 of Scottish shoppers buy some organic food, and like elsewhere in the U.K., the amount is increasing. For the U.K as a whole, last year saw sales of organic food increase by over 10%, growing by £2 million a week.

Further information:

The Highlands and Islands Organic Association

A membership organisation representing many organic producers in the area. The website contains news information, events, and will soon have a directory of organic food producers in the area.

Soil Association website

The Soil Association promotes organic growing. The library section on its website has a wealth of information about organic issues. This includes a yearly report on the organic food sector in the UK:

Summary of Soil Association Organic Food and Farming Report 2004

 http://www.OrganicFoodee.com

A self-styled organic lifestyle magazine.