2011 - Page 3 of 19 - Cornucopia Institute

Seventy–Eight Percent of U.S. Families Say They Purchase Organic Foods

Consumers vote with their dollars despite economic difficulty Organic Trade Association Contact: Barbara Haumann Brattleboro, VT (Nov. 2, 2011)—Seventy eight percent – more U.S. families than ever before – say they are choosing organic foods, according to a study published today by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). “In a time when the severity of the […]

Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act Introduced in Congress

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition On Tuesday, November 1 Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) and 35 original co-sponsors introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 1773, H.R. 3286), a comprehensive bill intended for inclusion in the 2012 Farm Bill. As the Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership work to finalize […]

Groups Sue U.S. Over GMO Crops in Wildlife Refuges

Lawsuit involves crops in eight Midwestern states. Fourth in a series of similar legal actions. Plaintiffs claim Roundup Ready crops hurt environment. Reuters By Carey Gillam (Reuters) – Environmental and food safety groups filed suit on Wednesday against the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, demanding it end the cultivation of genetically modified crops on Midwestern […]

Future Friendly Farming: Report Highlights Cost-Effective Strategies…

Report highlights cost-effective strategies to protect wildlife habitat and save taxpayers, farmers and consumers money National Wildlife Federation Mékell Mikell American farmers provide food, fuel and fiber for a growing nation. In the face of challenges including tight budgets, increasing threats to natural systems, climate change and extreme weather, farmers can implement strategies that assure […]

Consumers Win the Right to Know About Their Food

State of Ohio dropping regulation in face of organic community pressure PRNewswire-USNewswire WASHINGTON — The State of Ohio today agreed that it will no longer pursue regulations limiting labeling on organic dairy products. Ohio had attempted to prohibit statements on labels which informed consumers that organic dairy products are produced without antibiotics, pesticides or synthetic […]

Rep. Blumenauer Proposes Shift in Farm Programs Away From Large Agri-Businesses

The Hill (link no longer available) By Pete Kasperowicz Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) on Wednesday introduced a broad proposal to revamp the farm bill next year by moving billions of dollars away from the large agribusinesses that have benefited from past farm programs, and instead focus on aid to family farmers, new farmers and the production […]

Organic Farming: Going Against the Grains

Native Iowan returns to buck trend in organic farming by going big The Des Moines Register (link no longer available) Written by DAN PILLER Harn Soper understands why the vast majority of Iowa farmers focus on producing grain for biofuels and livestock feed. “It’s hard to walk away from a model that lets you grow corn […]

Food Companies Petitioned to Ban New Monsanto GMO Corn

Reuters By Carey Gillam Opponents of Monsanto’s new genetically modified sweet corn are petitioning national food retailers and processors to ban the biotech corn, which is not labeled as being genetically altered from conventional corn. A coalition of health, food safety and environmental organizations said they have collected more than 264,000 petition signatures from consumers […]

Green City Growers Breaks Ground for Cleveland Greenhouse

Business in Central neighborhood is latest from Evergreen Cooperatives Green City Growers CLEVELAND, OH – Green City Growers today will welcome community members, partners, and supporters to Cleveland’s Central neighborhood to break ground for its commercial greenhouse. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Cleveland Foundation Chief Executive Officer Ronn Richard, and Cleveland Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland are among […]

From a Farm Stand, New and Old Insights

New York Times By CRAIG LEISHER Living in a cabin in the woods with three boys, two cats and a flexible schedule means every day is different. But there’s one constant to my weeks. On Thursday afternoons, I know I’ll be in a town 30 minutes away standing under a white awning and waiting in […]

Cereal Crimes

“Natural” claims in the cereal and granola aisle mislead consumers. A new study from The Cornucopia Institute indicates the “natural” claim is mostly meaningless marketing hype, in contrast to the USDA certified organic label which signifies the food was produced without genetically modified organisms (GMOs), toxic pesticides and other potentially dangerous synthetic inputs. Cornucopia and USDA research […]