Message-ID: <0014oqceqmgc.0014nzzfhpfl@idrc.ca> Date: Tue, 26 Mar 1996 15:49:05 EST From: mailto:FoodLinks@IDRC.CA> Subject: Looking for a Market Organic for Foods? To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
FoodLinks, an initiative of the International Development Research Centre, is looking for sources of Organic (certified or potentially-certified) fruits, vegetables, grains, roots and tubers in developing countries that could have market potential in Canada and the United States. Specifically, in promoting equitable and sustainable development, FoodLinks has developed a Foods Database which provides information about valuable food products produced in an ethically- and environmentally-sound manner that could meet niche market demands in North America. We have found growing interest for food products that are not only healthy, but also have positive effects on the local ecology and on producer communities. We wish to expand both the number of producers and the range of products in our Database and encourage your input.If you are working with, or are familiar with food producers (coops, producer association, etc.) that are using sustainable or organic techniques and who would like to be on our database, plase send us a message that includes the following information:
The Food Product
1. Name of product; 2. What are the unique and/or valuable characteristics of the product (nutritional, functional, medicinal, etc.) that could be marketed in North America? 3. What varieties are available and what are their differences? 4. What are the current uses of the product, in the home and in the markets? 5. How is the product currently processed? What level of technology is used for processing; is it processed locally, regionally or outside the country? 6. Are the products organically grown (or pesticide-free)? 7. What is the estimated level of the product available for commercialization?
The Food Producer
1. Name and location of producer groups (complete address, e-mail, phone,fax, and related contact information); 2. Who are the producers? What are their forms of association (cooperative, private entrepreneurs, etc.)? 3. Do the producers adhere to all of FoodLinks' Environmental and Ethical Criteria (see FoodLinks WWW Homepage, or contact us for details).
FoodLinks P.O. Box 2500, 11th Floor, 250 Albert Street Ottawa, ON K1G 3H9 CANADA
WWW Homepage: www.idrc.ca/foodlinks/index.html E-mail: mailto:foodlinks@idrc.ca Phone: (613) 236-6163 ext 2439 Fax: (613) 567-7749
Looking forward to seeing your input
Sincerely,
Najeeb Mirza Liaison Officer