UNFI Halts Distribution of Raw Kombucha Due to Alcohol Content
UNFI has halted distribution of raw kombucha due to the alcohol content, which could be over .5% (this would classify it as an alcoholic beverage). UNFI recommend retailers halt sales of unpasteurized kombucha products. We will post additional information as it becomes available.

Supreme Court Ruling in Monsanto Case is Victory for Farmers, Consumers
The Supreme Court ruled June 21, 2010 in Monsanto v. Geerston Farms, the first genetically modified crop case ever brought before the Supreme Court. While the Court did reverse the original injunction, it also ruled that the ban on GMO alfalfa remains, and it is still illegal to plant or sell GMO alfalfa. This is a huge victory for Center for Food Safety as well as NCGA and others who signed on to an amicus brief in support of this case, but most importantly for the farmers and consumers we represent. The court ruled that an injunction was unnecessary since under CFS’s earlier Federal Court victory (which ruled that USDA violated NEPA and other environmental laws when it approved Roundup Ready alfalfa) the crop became a regulated item and illegal to plant. Please find more info on the Center for Food Safety’s website.

Save the Date: 25th Annual Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference.
The event will take place December 3-5, 2010 in Winston-Salem, NC.
http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/sac10.shtml

Feds tell court they can decide what you eat

‘Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish’

Attorneys for the federal government have argued in a lawsuit pending in federal court in Iowa that individuals have no “fundamental right” to obtain what food they choose.

The brief was filed April 26 in support of a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund over the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ban on the interstate sale of raw milk.

“There is no ‘deeply rooted’ historical tradition of unfettered access to foods of all kinds,” states the document signed by U.S. Attorney Stephanie Rose, assistant Martha Fagg and Roger Gural, trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Plaintiffs’ assertion of a ‘fundamental right to their own bodily and physical health, which includes what foods they do and do not choose to consume for themselves and their families’ is similarly unavailing because plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish,” the government has argued.

Originally Published at www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_20879.cfm

Haitian Farmers Commit to Burning Monsanto’s Hybrid Seeds

• By Bev Bell
  Daily Kos, May 17, 2010
  Straight to the Source
  
  

“A new earthquake” is what peasant farmer leader Chavannes Jean-Baptiste of the Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP) called the news that Monsanto will be donating 60,000 seed sacks (475 tons) of hybrid corn seeds and vegetable seeds, some of them treated with highly toxic pesticides. The MPP has committed to burning Monsanto’s seeds, and has called for a march to protest the corporation’s presence in Haiti on June 4, for World Environment Day.

In an open letter sent of May 14, Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, the Executive Director of MPP and the spokesperson for the National Peasant Movement of the Congress of Papay (MPNKP), called the entry of Monsanto seeds into Haiti “a very strong attack on small agriculture, on farmers, on biodiversity, on Creole seeds , and on what is left our environment in Haiti.”[1] Haitian social movements have been vocal in their opposition to agribusiness imports of seeds and food, which undermines local production with local seed stocks. They have expressed special concern about the import of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_20852.cfm

Contract Poultry Growers Demand Federal Action to Restore Fair Markets

First Government Hearing to Address Lack of Competition in Poultry Industry

Huntsville, AL – On Thursday, the Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, a national alliance working to provide a voice for farmers involved in contract agriculture, offered rare testimonials on the impact that lack of competition in the poultry industry has on family farms. The next day, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) held the first workshop ever to address the issue of competition in poultry markets.

In the U.S., most chicken is produced in a contract system where large poultry companies (called integrators) enter into contracts with individual farmers who grow the chickens for them. The growers never own the birds, but do build new barns to meet company specifications and are responsible for waste generated by the birds.

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/press/

School Milk Victory- Spread the Word!
Great news! We won our campaign to make sure schools can source organic milk or rBGH-Free milk! We’ve been working over the last year to pressure Congress and the USDA to make it clear that schools can purchase better milk for their students. The USDA got the message and has made it clear schools have the choice. Help us spread the word so all schools know they can serve better milk!
Thanks to folks like you who contacted your members of Congress, participated in our School Milk Days of Action, and contacted your local schools, our nation’s schools will not become the dumping ground for milk produced with artificial growth hormones. Here are a few highlights from our School Milk Campaign:

- Over 30,000 petition signatures were delivered to Congress

- School Milk Campaign activists made over 2,000 calls to Congress

- Hundreds of schools across the country were contacted about their milk, directly influencing three schools to go rBGH-Free

-Our Healthy School Milk or Bust road trip hit seven key states, raising visibility of this issue with the media, consumers and congressional staff
Now that it’s clear schools can buy organic milk or milk that’s produced without artificial hormones, we need to make sure schools know they have this choice. Can you tell your friends and family the great news, and ask them to spread the word?

S. 510, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act – Info and Customized Radio Ad Available from Hanover Co-op
A number of small farmers and food producers have expressed concern regarding the U.S. Senate Bill 510 (FDA Food Safety Modernization Act). Current language in the bill could mean one-size-fits all rules and fees for industrial farms and production facilities and small businesses. This would place an undue burden on small farmers and producers. http://sustainableagriculture.net

National Organic Coalition Gives Thumbs Up to USDA ‘Access to Pasture’ Rule
Excerpt from NOC Press Release, February 12, 2010. The National Organic Coalition (NOC) today announced its “high praise” for the final rule on the access to pasture requirement for organic livestock published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA’s February 12th action announcing the final rule comes nearly four years after a USDA National Organic Program (NOP) pasture symposium served as the catalyst that would eventually bring the rule to fruition following years of debate, discussion and research.
“This final rule provides the clear and specific language needed to enforce one of the central tenets of organically produced livestock—the requirement that organic livestock spend a considerable part of their lives in their natural pasture habitat and receive a significant portion of their food needs from fresh, green, growing pasture,” said Henry Perkins, organic dairy farmer, Albion, Maine. Perkins serves as president of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA), a NOC member organization. www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/PastureRuleFINAL.pdf

Almond Growers and Handlers File Federal Lawsuit Seeking to End “Adulteration” of Raw Nuts
A group of fifteen American almond growers and wholesale nut handlers filed a lawsuit in the Washington, D.C. federal court on Tuesday, September 9 seeking to repeal a controversial USDA-mandated treatment program for California-grown raw almonds.

The almond farmers and handlers contend that their businesses have been seriously damaged and their futures jeopardized by a requirement that raw almonds be treated with propylene oxide (a toxic fumigant recognized as a carcinogen by the EPA) or steam-heated before they can be sold to American consumers. Foreign-grown almonds are exempt from the treatment scheme and are rapidly displacing raw domestic nuts in the marketplace.

Tens of thousands of angry consumers have contacted the USDA to protest the compulsory almond treatment since the agency’s new regulation went into effect one year ago. Some have expressed outrage that even though the nuts have been processed with a fumigant, or heat, they will still be labeled as “raw.”

Additional background information on the almond treatment issue, including a copy of the legal complaint, can be found on The Cornucopia Institute’s web page, under the Authentic Almond Project, at www.cornucopia.org.

Interim Final Rule on COOL
On July 28, 2008, the USDA issued an interim final rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. The program, which will go into effect on September 30, will expand the list of covered commodities to include chicken, goat meat, ginseng, pecans and macadamia nuts.

Commodities covered under COOL must be labeled at retail to indicate their country of origin. However, they are excluded from mandatory COOL if they are an ingredient in a processed food item.

One Seed at a Time: A Seed Bank for the Southeast
The One Seed At A Time Project, launched by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association in conjunction with the Seed Saver’s Exchange, is, an organic seed bank dedicated to saving the biodiversity of heirloom southeastern vegetables, herbs, grains, and flowers. As seed saving has become less a part of our culture, hundreds of heirloom varieties are on the verge of being lost. This bank will play a crucial roll in preserving our heritage for us and for our future. We are asking for your support in this important work.

Our Goals:

* – Seeking out and collecting samples of the heirloom varieties that are currently being raised and banked by farmers and gardeners in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee.
* – Banking these seeds both here in the Southeast and also at the Seed Saver’s Exchange in Iowa.
* – Regularly growing out all of the collected varieties at least every five years to ensure their viability today and for generations to come
* – Enlisting the support of the network of amateur and professional seed savers built upby the Saving Our Seed project.

http://www.savingourseed.org/

How to Afford Organic Food on a Tight Budget
With increasing food costs and the worst economy in 40 years, many shoppers are questioning whether they can afford to purchase organic foods. One of the quickest ways to reduce your organic grocery costs by as much as 15-20% is to buy in bulk. This doesn’t only mean being limited to buying food from bulk bins at your natural food store (although that is an equally effective way to reduce packaging and costs on foods like cereals).

Many people don’t realize that most grocery and natural food stores welcome customers to special order cases of food in bulk. It’s the same premise as buying a 12-pack of soda or juice instead of just buying an individual can. When you think about it, most of the time you grocery shop, you are buying the same foods, so why not make a list of those foods, buy them by the case, save money and reduce your visits to the store? For example, a case of 12 cans of your family’s favorite soup typically costs 20% less than what it would cost you to buy those cans individually. Make a list of your favorite foods and go to the information desk next time you are at your grocery store to find out which ones you can buy in bulk.
Learn more organic money saving tips here:
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13331.cfm

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Helps Lead Way in Organic Body Care
Marking the 60th Anniversary of the company, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps is pleased to announce that all classic liquid & bar soaps are now not only certified under the USDA National Organic Program, but also certified Fair Trade! In addition, they are pleased to introduce a revolutionary new range of high-quality organic products, from hair rinses to shaving gels – all certified under the same USDA program that certifies organic foods.

Dr. Bronner’s is supporting the Organic Consumers Association’s “Coming Clean” campaign for strong organic body care standards. For more info, please see: www.drbronner.com

Genetically Engineered Sugar to Hit Supermarket Shelves This Year
The Organic Consumers Association’s (OCA) and allies are calling for a boycott of all Kellogg’s products after Kellogg’s refuses to source only GE-Free Sugar.

Monsanto’s RoundUp Ready Genetically Engineered Sugar is due to hit stores this year, exposing millions of consumers to untested and unlabeled “Franken Foods” that threaten human heath, the environment and farmers’ rights everywhere. Learn more at http://organicconsumers.org/kelloggs.cfm

Twenty-Nine Nations Cut-Off Food Exports
While U.S. consumers struggle to cope with steadily rising food and energy costs, a billion rural farmers and low-income families are suffering from what can only be described as a global food crisis. The New York Times reported in early July that at least 29 countries have sharply curbed or completely cut-off grain exports to make sure their own populations have enough to eat. According to the article, “When it comes to rice, India, Vietnam, China and 11 other countries have limited or banned exports. Fifteen countries, including Pakistan and Bolivia, have capped or halted wheat exports. More than a dozen have limited corn exports.

TV & Computer Recycling Day
Bring your old television and computer from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, May 31, 2008 & Saturday, June 28, 2008

The event will take place at the NHC WASTEC & Recycling Facility located at 3002 US Highway 421 North. It is roughly 3 miles north from the NC Battleship. It is on the right hand side of the road immediately after the first set of railroad tracks. This event is for residents of New Hanover County only. No waste from other counties will be accepted. Waste other than computers and televisions will not be accepted.

If you have any questions feel free to call Lynn Bestul at 910-798-4410
or the main # at 910-798-4400 visit the website

Stop Titan
On April 21, 2008, the New Hanover County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to offer $4.2 million in our tax dollars to entice a Greek company, Titan Cement, to build a massive cement plant in Castle Hayne on the banks of the Northeast Cape Fear River. While the county’s corporate recruiter, Titan officials, and the Star-News have all touted the economic benefits of the plant, they have all failed to mention one salient fact:

Cement plants are among the worst industrial polluters on the planet.

“No matter what you do, cement production will always release carbon dioxide. You can’t change the chemistry so we can’t achieve spectacular cuts in emissions.” Dimitri Papalexopoulos, managing director of Titan Cement. From The Guardian newspaper of London.

In order to give residents a better understanding of the threats posed by the cement industry, we’ve started a web-based forum for articles, scientific studies and reports on the subject, as well as links to impacts of plants on other communities around the nation. You can post your opinion or your experiences, email letters to your elected officials with a few quick clicks, or sign- up “ to make a difference in 5 minutes a month” Action Alerts. visit the website

Support N.C. Farmworkers
This past May was the annual shareholders meeting for Reynolds Tobacco in Winston-Salem N.C. Farm Labor Organizing Committee was present asking the corporation to do right by the field laborers who produce their product.

About 25,000 tobacco field workers in North Carolina suffer unimaginable conditions, but have no voice in the system that results in Reynolds Tobacco making some $2 billion dollars a year in profits.

FLOC asks that these tobacco workers be an equal part of the tobacco procurement system, a structure that has made dramatic difference to FLOC farmworkers elsewhere in N.C. and in the Midwest.

ACTION: Make your voice heard!

Let Reynolds American and its shareholders know that they have to answer to millions of us who believe in justice, and cannot ignore marginalized farmworkers who help make them rich.

Write Reynolds American right now, and ask them to meet with FLOC:

Susan Ivey, CEO Reynolds American Inc. 401 North Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27102-28066 FAX: 336-741-0881

(Please send a copy to FLOC, 1221 Broadway, Toledo OH 43609)

For more information

Appetite for a Change: Children’s Environmental Health
A campaign to reduce children’s exposure to pesticides, toxins, and junk foods.

The Four Appetite for a Change Goals:

* STOP spraying toxic pesticides on school property, playgrounds and in buildings, and convert to integrated pest management practices.
* KICK junk foods and junk food ads out of our schools.
* START converting school lunches to healthier menus, using locally grown and/or organic and transition to organic ingredients (no pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, irradiation or genetically engineered ingredients). Offer vegetarian options.

TEACH kids about healthy food choices and sustainable agriculture through school garden projects and curriculum materials.