Organic Consumers Association

From LoveToKnow Organic

The Organic Consumers Association represents both merchants and individual consumers as a voice to advocate for organic foods. This organization champions for sustainable agriculture and foods that are safe for consumption without toxins or preservatives.

Slideshow:What is Organic

History of the Organic Consumers Association

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) began in 1998 as an online organization designed to promote advocacy for organic foods. The formation of the OCA was in response to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) proposals to loosen standards for organic labeling. The OCA opposed these proposals and was a strong voice of opposition. In present day, the OCA represents more than three quarters of a million members including merchants and individuals.

OCA Goals

This organization has a defined list of goals they work toward as a whole. These goals include:

Assistance for organic farmers, particularly family-run organic farms, and an eventual goal of increasing the percentage of organic farms within the United States to 30%.
The end of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food products sold anywhere in the world.
Improvement in the trade standards among nations, leading to free trade without corporate limitations.
A decrease and eventual end to agricultural and factory farming practices that are deemed dangerous and harmful to the environment.
The utilization of sustainable energy sources.

The OCA also supports the idea of universal health care, and while this may not seem to necessarily have any ties to organic agricultural practices and sustainability, OCA emphasizes the use of proper nutrition as a means to keep consumers healthy, which is not incongruous to their other goals.

The OCA Website

The Organic Consumers Association is an online community. For this reason, all the information you need regarding this organization is readily available on the official OCA website. On this site, you will find a wide variety of important information:

Video clips of pertinent news stories all about the organic and universal health movement.
Copies of Organic Bytes, which is the official newsletter for the OCA.
Educational information regarding the organic movement.
Information detailing any boycotts or protests currently underway by the OCA.
Upcoming tour and retreat information.
Information regarding food safety standards and practices.
Health updates from around the globe.
Extensive information regarding genetically modified organisms and other genetic engineering.
Directory of organic merchants and organizations.

The website also provides contact information to get in touch with any of the people currently serving in a leadership role for the OCA. Visitors can also click on links to connect to merchants selling organic items. Visitors to the website can access local OCA information by searching for information by state.

Organic Advocates

This organization is aggressive in its efforts to champion for organic products in addition to environmentally responsible practices. OCA has partnered with Greenpeace on more than one occasion to demand truth in labeling and advertising, perhaps most notably with Whole Foods Market. The OCA claims that Whole Foods Market, which is a popular mainstream natural food store, deceives consumers by presenting products as natural when the products actually don't qualify for this designation. Whole Foods Market is not the first organization to be the target of an aggressive OCA campaign. OCA has also called for boycotts against meat suppliers, personal care suppliers and milk producers.

Since the OCA is one of the largest membership-driven advocate groups for organic foods and sustainable living, most retailers take notice when the OCA calls for action.

Get Involved

If you are interested in getting involved with the cause for organics, environmental responsibility and accessible health care for everyone, you can get involved in a variety of ways: