ECO-LABELS ADORN STAHLBUSH ISLAND FARMS PRODUCTS

BARBARA MURRAY

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Frozen fruits and vegetables grown and processed by Stahlbush Island Farms, Corvallis, Ore., have earned the right to use the ecologically friendly labels of The Food Alliance here, a nonprofit organization that recognizes and rewards farmers who produce food in environmentally and socially responsible ways. The Food Alliance made the announcement following its annual meeting late last month.

Stahlbush Island Farms' frozen products can be found in 500 grocery stores in Oregon, Washington and Montana.

Thriftway Stores, Seattle, Wash., became a partner in The Food Alliance this year, with 33 stores in Oregon and southwest Washington.

"Eco-labels have gone mainstream. These days, shoppers don't want to go out of their way to buy products they can feel good about," said Food Alliance Executive Director Deborah Kane. Surveys have shown that 52% of consumers want environmentally friendly products, according to The Food Alliance.

The Marine Stewardship Council, Seattle, is another organization promoting eco-labels. It was founded in 1996 by Unilever, one of the world's largest buyers of frozen fish, along with the World Wildlife Fund, the international conservation organization.