Soil Association launches Organic September – Small Changes, Big Difference

30th August 2013

The Soil Association is launching Organic September – Small Changes, Big Difference to show the huge difference consumers can make by switching one household item to organic. Running throughout September, the campaign will be the UK’s biggest celebration of all things organic. 

Consumers will be encouraged to make one small change to their shopping habits in order to make a big difference to sustainable food, animal welfare and 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.

Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Soil Association Certification said: “If everyone makes a small change like switching to organic milk or choosing an organic moisturiser we can make a huge difference to our planet. Organic farms support 50% more wildlife, with 30% more species -that's more birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and wildflowers. A small change can make a surprisingly large difference - the average family eats enough bread in a year that if just 12 families make the small change to swap their bread to organic, an area of organic land a quarter of the size of the Wembley Stadium football pitch would be a haven for wildlife.

“A small change will also make a big difference to the lives of farm animals. No other system of farming has higher animal welfare standards. Organic is free-range and encourages the animals’ natural behaviour. If twenty families switched to organic milk, another cow will be free to range on clover rich organic pastures; if two families switched to organic bacon, one more pig will keep its curly tail and stay with its mother for much longer; and if one family switched to organic eggs, a hen would have access to grassland and not be at risk of painful beak trimming”

Many local independent, online and national retailers will be holding events and offering discounts – and the Soil Association is hosting key events throughout September. The Soil Association Organic Health & Beauty Weekend on 7-8 September celebrates organic beauty products with regional events and discount vouchers – follow #OrganicBeauty , the winners of the Organic Food Awards supported by Seeds of Change will be announced on 19 September and the Organic Fashion & Textiles Weekend on 21-22 September will be a focal point for organic textiles and fashion brands and retailers.

The Soil Association is asking people to show what small change they'll be making at www.soilassociation.org/smallchanges where there will also be offers, competitions, and farm visits to get involved with. Consumers can also pledge their small changes by tweeting us using the hashtag #SmallChangesBigDifference

Major UK supermarkets have signed up to the campaign and will be promoting organic products in store. National and independent organic retailers throughout the country are being given toolkits which provide them with promotional products to help boost their organic sales.

Organic September - Small Changes, Big Difference is supported by green electricity supplier Good Energy.

More information about Small Changes, Big Difference

Top 10 changes people can make:
• Eat at least one piece of organic fruit each day
• Switch one beauty product such as shampoo
• Sign up for an organic veg box
• Join the Soil Association
• Have an organic cake bake off at work
• Buy organic tea & coffee
• Plant organic bee-friendly seeds
• Take part in #organicbeauty weekend
• Buy an organic pair of jeans
• Throw an organic dinner party

Key events taking part during Organic September include:
• A weekend of organic health and beauty product promotions during Organic Health & Beauty Weekend on 7-8 September.
• The announcement of the Soil Association’s annual Organic Food Awards, supported by Seeds of Change, on 19 September. Now in their 27th year and with over 500 entries, the awards celebrate some of the tastiest, most sustainable food and drink the UK has to offer.
• A briefing for trade on latest market data and trends in London on the morning of 19 September.
• Organic Fashion & Textiles Weekend, a focal point for organic textiles and fashion brands and retailers on the weekend of 21-22 September.

The Soil Association
Organic September is organised by the Soil Association. The Soil Association was founded in 1946 by farmers, scientists, doctors and nutritionists to promote the connection between the health of the soil, food, animals, people and the environment. Today the Soil Association is the UK's leading membership charity campaigning for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use.

A range of toolkits for organisations taking part in the month are available here