[Cornucopia’s initial review of this mixed decision leaves standing the core-complaint enabling consumers to go after Aurora and the retailers for misrepresenting their product as “organic.” The court’s decision that the Organic Foods Production Act has purview over organic marketing only illustrates how important it is for the USDA to carry out the intent of… Read more »
Fears led to crackdown on egg safety in Maine
Des Moines Register (link no longer available) By Philip Brasher Washington, D.C. – Maine officials worried so much about a salmonella outbreak from Jack DeCoster’s egg operations that they forced him to take steps to stop the contamination, including hiring a staff veterinarian. Contrast that with the situation in Iowa, which doesn’t have its own standards… Read more »
Farmer sells grass-fed beef locally
Statesville Record & Landmark (link no longer available) By Bethany Fuller Sam Dobson whistled while he walked onto one of the grass fields where he grazes beef cattle. “Come on,” he yelled to the grass-fed herd at the bottom of the hill. The Angus and Hereford cattle seemed to think about coming up for a moment… Read more »
Southern Oregon family revives hops crop
Capital Press (link no longer available) By Greg Stiles ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) — Even amid the euphoria of their second-straight harvest, the owners of Alpha Beta Hops realize they still are in the experimental phase of their hop-growing careers. Steve and Rebecca Pierce, along with their son, Spencer, are discovering the ins and outs of organic… Read more »
Many avoid factory farms by buying local
They know, trust those who provide the food Cincinnati Inquirer By Polly Campbell The responses to this summer’s well-publicized accounts of eggs making people sick range from a demand for more and better government inspections to increased attention to handling and cooking food at home. And some consumers have adopted the strategy of avoiding food… Read more »
As Concerns about Food Safety and GMOs Intensify, Retailers Launch First National Non-GMO Month
Non-GMO Project Upland, CA — This October, more than 580 natural food stores nationwide will take part in the first ever Non-GMO Month, celebrating consumers’ right to choose food and products that do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organized by the non-profit Non-GMO Project, the event coincides with the launch of the “Non-GMO Project… Read more »
What is Organic Food?
And Why Should I Care? This is the title of a presentation by Jim Riddle and Bud Markhart, of the University of Minnesota. The two explain that unlike marketing claims such as “natural,” “sustainable,” “green,” or “local,” the word “organic” is defined in Federal law and regulated through an extensive certification process, from field to… Read more »
Eat Local, Give Local: Gardeners Grow Tons of Produce for Food Pantries
The Capital Times By Pat Schneider Linda Joranger likes to get out first thing in the morning to harvest vegetables at the Middleton Outreach Ministry food pantry garden. “That way, when the food pantry opens, there’s fresh produce right there,” says Joranger, a laid-off state worker who turned to the food pantry — and the… Read more »
Organic Farming May Grow 10-Fold in 5 Years
The Economic Times New Delhi — Area under organic farming in India is likely to grow over ten-fold to one crore hectres in the next five years on buoyant domestic market and increased farmers’ interest to ensure sustained yield at lower costs. “Since the beginning of organic farming almost ten years back, acreage in India… Read more »
FDA Moves Towards Approval of GE Salmon for Human Consumption
NCGA and other groups encourage consumers to comment by September 19 National Cooperative Grocers Association Eric Davis Iowa City, IA — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on August 25, 2010, that it will potentially approve AquAdvantage transgenic salmon as the first genetically engineered (GE) animal intended for human consumption. Many consumer and… Read more »
