Kokova Magazine

The Soil Association is launching Organic September - 'Small Changes, Big Difference' - to show the huge difference consumers can make by switching just 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.

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.

Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Soil Association Certification

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 7th - 8th September 2013 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 19th September and the Organic Fashion & Textiles Weekend on 21th - 22nd 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 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.