Celebrating Organic Champions: A Spotlight on Organic Month Workplace Challenge Winners 

By COTA

Organic Month, celebrated annually each September, is an exciting time for businesses and communities to come together and promote sustainable, healthy living. This year, three standout companies took the challenge to new heights, each finding creative ways to engage their teams and customers with organic education and activities. Let’s take a closer look at the inspiring initiatives from Compass Group Canada at Acadia University, Northern Nutraceuticals, and Raise the Root Organic Market. 

Compass Group Canada at Acadia University: An Organic Celebration for Students and Staff 

At Acadia University, Compass Group Canada turned Organic Month into a campus-wide celebration of organic farming and sustainability. They kicked things off with an engaging organic trivia contest, showcasing local organic produce and sparking interest among students and staff. Throughout the month, Compass Group brought in organic suppliers to set up booths, allowing the campus community to connect with farmers and learn more about the benefits of organic products firsthand. 

Daily meal callouts of organic items helped raise awareness of organic choices in campus dining, while organic pop-ups and tastings across retail locations and dining halls allowed everyone to experience the difference organic makes in flavor and quality. By spotlighting local organic products, Compass Group helped build appreciation for sustainable food choices while supporting the organic farming community. 

“At Acadia University we are thrilled to be able to provide education for students surrounding Organic and what we have available on campus. We are always looking to grow our organic purchasing, and we are glad to support local, organic farmers and producers in our region.” – Madeleine Neuffer, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition and Sustainability 

Northern Nutraceuticals: Educating Employees on the Importance of Organic 

Northern Nutraceuticals took a more educational approach, ensuring their staff had the tools and knowledge to understand why organic farming matters. They printed and displayed Organic Month posters in the staff area, offering visual reminders about the benefits of organic. A laptop was set up for employees to participate in the Organic Trivia contest, making it easy and accessible for everyone. 

The highlight of Northern Nutraceuticals’ efforts was inviting farmers to speak directly to the staff about their experiences and the importance of organic farming. These personal stories from the farmers helped bridge the gap between consumers and producers, deepening employees’ understanding of organic practices. Additionally, Northern Nutraceuticals made efforts to stock the staff room with organic products whenever possible, allowing their team to enjoy the benefits of organic firsthand during breaks. 

“Working for Northern Nutraceuticals , I’ve witnessed firsthand the deep roots we’ve planted in the organic community. Northern Nutraceuticals Inc. has proudly held organic certification for over 20 years, marking our first step after CFIA approval. Our close partnership with fellow farmers allows us to nurture an organic mindset throughout our entire operation.We prioritize integrity over convenience, always striving to provide top-quality products rather than opting for the cheapest or easiest route. Our pride shines through when our team showcases our incredible organic flaxseed, grown right here around the globe.” 

Raise the Root Organic Market: Amplifying the Organic Message 

Raise the Root Organic Market located in Leslieville neighbourhood of Toronto, harnessed the power of social media to spread awareness about organic practices and Organic Month. They actively shared the Organic Trivia contest through their Instagram stories, engaging their audience and encouraging participation. They also used their platform to share educational content, such as an informational slide explaining why organic products may sometimes cost more, helping consumers understand the value of organic. 

In addition to promoting the Organic Trivia Contest, Raise the Root Organic Market contributed to a Globe and Mail article discussing how to buy organic more affordably. Afterward, they tagged the article with #organicmonth in their Instagram stories, further amplifying their message and driving awareness during the month-long celebration. 

“At Raise the Root, in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood, we’ve been selling certified organic fruits and veggies for 10 years now. We love that we can feel great about the food we sell – that we’re providing nutritious and delicious food to Leslievillians that’s also better for farm workers and the environment. The more folks learn about the many benefits of eating organic the better for all of us, and for the planet we’re living on!” – Angela Donnelly, Raise the Root Organic Market 

These three organic champions demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting organic awareness and practices during Organic Month within their workplaces. By combining education, community engagement, and organic tastings, they each contributed to a wider understanding of the importance of choosing organic products for a healthier planet and future. 

About the COTA:

The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) is the membership-based association for the organic industry in Canada representing the full value chain of all organic actors: growers, fishers, certifiers, processors, handlers, provincial organic associations, importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and more. COTA’s mission is to promote and protect the organic sector and encourage the universal adoption of organic. Learn more about COTA at https://www.canada-organic.ca