We understand that there are many consumers looking for more naturally produced food sources, preferring and trusting organically produced food over conventional. In this section we review the story behind organic food production.

Thomas Canning is leading the way in developing organically produced tomato products. We understand that there are many consumers looking for more naturally produced food sources, preferring and trusting organically produced food over conventional.

At the heart of organic production is a belief in working with nature and our environment through an ecologically sustainable and holistic approach to production. The focus is on long-term sustainable production versus short-term maximum yield - with pest avoidance taking priority over pest control. The system is designed to optimize the productivity and health of diverse organism communities in the ecosystem including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. For many producers, successful organic production is predicated by the health of their soil, so production practices are adopted to improve soil tilth and health. Key practices used by organic farmers include crop rotation, nutrient building through residue management and the use of an integrated cultural and biological tool package to control pests.

Organic Production in Canada

The production of organic food in Canada is growing rapidly despite the many challenges it poses for producers. A question often asked in the food industry is why organic production? A study by University of Windsor researchers Hall and Mogyorody notes that most growers switch to an organic system because of their concerns on the effect of chemicals and conventional production practices on soil quality. Given these concerns and the potential for market premiums from the growing demand for natural food sources it is easy to see why organic production has become a calling card to a new kind of agricultural sustainability on a growing number of farms.

As a country, Canada provides an ideal location for organic production given our large and geographically dispersed land base and our cooler climate, which reduces disease and insect pressure.

It is interesting to note that one in twenty fruit and vegetable farms in Canada now consider themselves to be organic producers while in the grains and oilseeds sector Canada is one of the top five organic producers in the world. Most of Canada's organic production is exported to primarily the United States, the European Union and Japan.

On the farm, yields of organically produced crop are typically lower than under conventional production systems. This is especially the case in fruit and vegetable crops like tomatoes where some pest problems are difficult to manage using organic methods. As a result, higher production costs are the primary reason why organic food sources are typically more expensive on the grocery store shelf.