Urge the NOSB to remove soy lecithin from the national list, comments due Monday, April 20th

UPDATE:

Last fall, we urged members of the organic community to write to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in support of the first petition in the history of the USDA’s Organic Program to remove a food ingredient from the National List of Approved and Prohibited Substances (conventional soy lecithin). Our action alert, thanks to you, was a success. The NOSB Handling Committee received more comments on this topic – in favor of this petition – than all other comments combined. And they heard you!

The Committee, which reviewed the petition this past winter, unanimously recommended that the removal of conventional lecithin be approved at the vote of the full NOSB, at their meeting next month. We must show the NOSB that organic stakeholders are still engaged – tell them we expect them to cast their final vote in the interest of organic consumers and innovative organic companies.

Our action alert below outlines why this precedent-setting vote is so important for the future of organics. Read Full Article »

Posted in Completed Action Alerts

SAMPLE LETTER — click here: We Must Tell Congress to also Protect High Quality Organic and Local Food

1. HR 875: The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009
2. HR 759: The Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009
3. HR 1332: Safe FEAST Act of 2009

The blogosphere has sounded the alarm warning that Congress and agribusiness and biotechnology lobbyists are conspiring to pass legislation that will force organic and local farms, and even home gardeners, out of business. What are the threats and opportunities, and how should we gear up to communicate with our congressional representatives? Read Full Article »

Posted in Completed Action Alerts

Action Alert

Message to Obama: Please Fix the USDA’s Organic Mess
Overhaul of Management and Culture Needed

Please urge President Obama and new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to take immediate action to repair the USDA’s increasingly dysfunctional National Organic Program (NOP). Suspect imports of grains, nuts, and vegetables from China and other countries, questionable organic milk, beef, and eggs from giant factory farms, and the erosion of opportunity for family farmers are plaguing the organic sector.

Make your voice heard by Read Full Article »

Posted in Completed Action Alerts

We need change at the USDA, or the “People’s Department,” as President Lincoln so aptly called this agency.

We need new management to create a culture supporting the thousands of ethical organic family farmers, and their consumer allies, who have built the vibrant organic agricultural and foodmarket.

The timing is exquisite for the new Obama administration and the USDA to hear the serious concerns of the organic community.
Read Full Article »

Posted in Completed Action Alerts

Center for Rural Affairs

President-elect Barack Obama launched his campaign in Iowa with a promise to create genuine opportunity for rural people and family farmers. Obama proposed changing the failed rural policy of Washington by capping payments to megafarms and enforcing rules against unfair practices by meat packers to strengthen family farms. To revitalize rural communities, he proposed investing in small business development and value added agriculture.

Read Full Article »

Posted in Completed Action Alerts