And Freeman believes he is in the right industry at the right time. Food is wide open, he says confidently. There is a lot of opportunity in the food business for new companies. The Farmers Organic crop growers have built trust in the marketplace through tight self-regulation. An independent third-party inspection and verifying system, acting on behalf of the various certifying agencies active in Canada, has standards that complement or exceed the standards of food production as required by the federal government.
Inspectors tour organic farms and verify the claims farmers make.
We make sure they are doing what they say they are doing, says Phillipi. We also have information that helps producers meet organic standards. Phillipi hails from a typical farm near Canora, Saskatchewan. His interest piqued, he took a hands-on apprenticeship and made almost two dozen farm inspections in 2000, about half with seasoned inspectors. With a year of experience behind him, Phillipi expects to book upwards of 50 inspections in 2001.