Make a small change to organic this September, Soil Association urges

The Soil Association is today launching 2014’s Organic September campaign – the UK’s biggest celebration of all things organic, which takes place in a year which saw the organic market return to growth and scientific evidence showed nutritional differences in organic vegetables, fruit and cereals.

Building on the success of the 2013 campaign, which saw a sales increase by 9% during September, this year’s theme is once again Small Changes, Big Difference.

Consumers are encouraged to make one small change to their shopping habits in order to make a big difference to sustainable food, animal welfare or the environment. Some of the small changes people can make include switching to organic milk, eggs, apples, choosing an organic moisturiser or even buying an organic cotton t-shirt. For example, if 20 families switched to organic milk, another cow will be free to range on clover rich organic pastures.

By telling the Soil Association what organic product they’ve bought this September, consumers could also be in with the chance of winning a year’s free supply of electricity from Good Energy, a 100% renewable electricity company, who are supporting this year’s campaign.

Switching energy suppliers to Good Energy, who use power from British sunshine, wind and rain, is just another green and simple way to make a small change that will make a big difference.

Throughout September members of the public will also be asked to vote for their favourite organic products in the 2014 Organic Awards.

Independent, online and national retailers will be promoting organic, offering discounts and holding events. The Soil Association is also hosting key events throughout September. A key part of the activity is Organic Beauty Week, taking place from 8-14 September, celebrating organic health and beauty products with a series of regional events with major retailers, as well as providing a number of discount vouchers. Neal’s Yard Remedies, Pai, Odylique and Spiezia are among the organic brands taking part – follow #OrganicBeauty on twitter to keep up to date.

In addition, Organic Fashion & Textiles Week – taking place from 12-16 September, to coincide with London Fashion Week – will also be a focal point for organic textiles and fashion brands and retailers, with ethical clothing company People Tree planning a series of activities and events as well as many others from across the sector.

Helen Browning, Soil Association chief executive said: “If everyone makes a small change like switching to organic milk or choosing an organic moisturiser we can make big strides towards a healthier world. By choosing organic, you help protect wildlife and make sure we have more bees and pollinators to support biodiversity, while choosing an organic beauty product or an organic t-shirt will not only give you peace of mind that what you’re putting on your skin is better for you but also that it’s caring for the people in developing countries, who are producing cotton and herbs.

“It might not seem like these simple changes could make that much difference – but together, everyone’s small changes can add up to a really big difference for a kinder, green and better food and farming system.”

Juliet Davenport, CEO and founder of Good Energy said: “Organic September is a great idea from the Soil Association, and its theme of ‘small changes making a big difference’ makes a perfect match for our own goals.

“We think we can all help make a difference – just think what could happen if everyone switched to a 100% renewable electricity supplier like Good Energy and everyone went 100% organic – what a great world we’d live in!”