The New York Times: Local organic food producer rails against corporate influence in the organic 'industry'

By Ben Freed Business Reporter

Posted on Mon, Jul 9, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.

Michael Potter, owner of Eden Foods, was featured in a report on the organic food industry published in Sunday’s New York Times.

Michael Potter, 62, bought into the company that became Eden Foods more than 40 years ago.

The article focused on the National Organic Standards Board, and the role major corporations currently play in determining what receives the coveted “certified organic” seal from the US Department of Agriculture. Ironically, none of Eden Food’s products carry the seal.

The board has approved more than 250 non-organic substances that can now be included in certified organic products. Potter calls the certified-organic label a fraud and refuses to put it on his company’s products.

“The board is stacked,” Potter told the Times. “Either they don’t have a clue, or their interest in making money is more important than their interest in maintaining the integrity of organics.”

According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic products totaled $26.7 billion in 2010.

Potter said in the article that he gets at least one email a week from people or companies interested in buying Eden.

Click here to read the full story at NYTimes.com