Press Release

February 28, 2005

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jake Lewin
CCOF Marketing Director
(831) 423-2263, ext. 21
jake@ccof.org

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CCOF Releases Comprehensive 2005 Organic Directory

(February 24, 2005) Santa Cruz, CA -CCOF has announced the release of its 2005 Organic Directory, a comprehensive listing of CCOF's certified organic clients, certified organic products, services and trade association members. This directory is an important resource for any business or consumer sourcing organic products or wishing to learn more about the variety of organic products available in the marketplace. The CCOF 2005 Organic Directory is available online at www.ccof.org.

The 2005 Organic Directory features more than 700 different organic products ranging from almonds to wine and represents the entire spectrum of organics from farm to livestock to processed products. Companies offering certified services are also included, providing a valuable listing of handlers, hullers, restaurants, exporters and other services that adhere to the USDA National Organic Program Standards. More than 1,200 certified organic companies are included in addition to listings for apprenticeship opportunities and direct sales at farm and processing companies.

The 2005 Organic Directory includes expanded listings of CCOF's more than 200 trade association members. These supporting members provide a variety of goods and services to the organic industry including pest control, marketing, and other services. Interested consumers also support CCOF through their supporting memberships.

The CCOF Organic Directory is a unique listing that includes the entire spectrum of organic agriculture. Because CCOF certifies operations ranging from local farm stands to the country's largest producers of organic produce and processed products, the 2005 Organic Directory provides an excellent overview of the scale and breadth of organics in the United States. CCOF, one of North America's oldest and largest organic certification agencies, certifies more than 1,300 organic farmers, processors, handlers, retailers, and private labelers in 14 states and 8 countries including about 75% of the organic acreage in California.

The CCOF 2005 Organic Directory is provided free to all CCOF certified operations and supporting members. Supporting members also receive a free organic cotton CCOF T-shirt, the CCOF Magazine and other benefits. The Organic Directory will also be distributed during the Natural Products Expo West, North America's largest organic and natural foods tradeshow in Anaheim, Calif. March 16-20.

Notable organic producers in this year's directory include Campbell's Soup Company soups, broth and tomato juices; Unilever Best Foods' organic Ragu pasta sauce; organic restaurant Ukiah Brewery; the world's first organic gin and vodka; and hundreds of unique farms, processors and livestock producers.

As one the nation's oldest and largest organic certifiers, CCOF continues to lead the organic marketplace by offering superior value and service in organic certification, organic education, trade association activities and political advocacy. The 2005 Organic Directory is just one example of the unique benefits received by CCOF's certified clients and trade association members.

About CCOF
CCOF, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation's largest and oldest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF's purpose is to promote and support organic agriculture in California and elsewhere through:

A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers.

Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product and to expand public support for organic agriculture.

Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.

CCOF Organic Directory Facts:

More than 1,200 certified organic companies.

More than 250 certified organic processors.

More than 1,000 certified organic farms.

More than 700 certified organic crops and products.

Over 170,000 certified organic acres.

More than 200 supporting member listings.

Apprenticeship opportunities.

Direct marketing listings to locate farmstands, CSAs, and more.

Statistics on CCOF's certified organic acreage.

Certified organic products ranging from organic apples, gin,

homebrew kits, mushrooms, wines, rice and more.

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