CCOF & Whole Foods Market Announce Adjustments To Responsibly Grown Ratings

CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) Produce July 20, 2015

Santa Cruz, CA – CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and Whole Foods Market are pleased to announce that productive discussions between certified organic farmers and the retailer regarding its new Responsibly Grown rating system will soon result in adjustments to that program. These adjustments will ensure that the leading achievement of USDA’s certified organic growing system is recognized within the rating system and clearly communicated to Whole Foods Market customers. Whole Foods Market will also add support and training to address the needs of the many small farmers that uniquely characterize its produce and floral supply. To that end, all certified organic produce and flowers will automatically be awarded a minimum "Good" rating in Whole Foods Market stores until January 1, 2016 to allow certified organic growers more time to start or resume Responsibly Grown compliance efforts. 

CCOF and Whole Foods Market are committed to working with our farming community to continuously improve Responsibly Grown to achieve its goals, and we are unified in recognizing the importance of addressing multiple relevant issues in agriculture that affect human health and the environment. Details of adjustments to the Responsibly Grown rating system are detailed on the Whole Foods Market website and on CCOF's blog.
 
About CCOF
 
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1973 that advances organic agriculture for a healthy world through organic certification, education, advocacy, and promotion. CCOF is based in Santa Cruz, California, and represents more than 2,900 certified organic members in 42 states and three countries. 
 
For further information on CCOF visit: www.ccof.org.

Source: CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers)