ORGA plans to raise the portion of low-carbon agricultural products up to 51% of the total sales of agricultural products this year

The number of partner farms that acquired low-carbon accreditation grew from 177 to 233 last year

ORGA’s journey to be LOHAS Fresh Market that cares for the health of not only this generation, but the next, and the earth

 

 

ORGA Whole Foods is an affiliate of Pulmuone that promotes the new brand slogan, “LOHAS Fresh Market.” ORGA plans to raise the share of sales of low-carbon certified agricultural products to take up more than half of the total sales of agricultural products this year.

 

Celebrating the Environment Month, ORGA (CEO Nam, Jei-Ahn) announced on June 12, 2017, that it will expand the target sales of low-carbon certified products to reach 51% (KRW 16.7 billion) of the total sales of agricultural products. This is a 36% increase compared to the previous year (KRW 12.3 billion).  

 

As the number of partner farms that received low-carbon certification rose from 177 to 233 last year, ORGA will step up the use of low-carbon certified ingredients for processed food such as squeezed apple juice, and dried apple.

 

The low-carbon certification policy from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs grants an accreditation mark on products certified with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) that reduced greenhouse gas emissions by applying low-carbon agricultural technologies.

 

To realize the value of its new brand slogan, LOHAS Fresh Market, ORGA has been striving to protect the environment by handling more of low-carbon agricultural products. Since signing an MOU with the Foundation of Agri. Tech. Commercialization & Transfer, which operates the low-carbon agricultural/livestock products accreditation policy, in November 2014, ORGA has poured its efforts into securing stable distribution channels for low-carbon agricultural products and providing assistance for the accreditation system.

 

The product reduced greenhouse gas emissions with less energy and agricultural ingredients input throughout the production process

 

Low-carbon labels were designed and attached to products to raise consumer awareness on low-carbon agricultural items, and information on low-carbon products were displayed in stores for promotion. In addition, ORGA prepared and sold fruit gift sets consisted only of low-carbon products during holidays, when fruit consumption hikes, for more people to be aware of low-carbon certification and boost demand.

 

Thanks to the endeavors, ORGA’s sales of low-carbon agricultural products in 2016 reached the record of 37% (KRW 12.3 billion) compared to the total agricultural sales.

 

Furthermore, the number of supplying farms that acquired low-carbon certification rose to 177. Last year, 39 low-carbon certified products were sold by ORGA, which included ▷commonly purchased vegetables such as yams, cucumbers, eggplants, chili peppers, cabbages, etc., ▷fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, mandarins, peaches, etc., and ▷grains.

 

Cho, Tae-Hyun in charge of products at ORGA Whole Foods said, “ORGA’s mission is ‘Food for environment is healthy food.’ With this in mind, we strived to offer more low-carbon certified products.” Mr. Cho also added, “While celebrating the Environment Month, we have established detailed goals concerning sales of low-carbon products to reaffirm our commitment.”

 

In an effort to live the spirit of the Environment Month, all direct stores of ORGA (080-596-0086), by ORGA stores, shop-in-shops, and ORGA’s online shopping mall (www.orga.co.kr) will be having special events for low-carbon certified agricultural products from May 16 ~ 25. Low-carbon peaches (800g) will be sold at a special price of KRW 7,900, and two units of “Squeezed apple juice from fresh apples” made with low-carbon apples (140 ml* 5 ct) will be sold at KRW 15,500.

 

ORGA has been living up to its brand slogan, “LOHAS Fresh Market,” by offering healthy wholesome foods, goods and services for healthy life, and caring for the health of not only this generation, but the next, and the earth. At the same time, ORGA upholds seven principles: ▲prioritizing eco-friendly food products, ▲limiting the use of chemical additives, ▲limiting GMO and irradiated food products (*excluding non-detectable GMOs), ▲ handling only meat/seafood free of antibiotics and growth hormones, ▲ensuring ethical and safe stock-raising that observes animal welfare policy, ▲using ingredients with origin and history tracking possible, and ▲ adopting environmentally friendly packaging materials.