Garden, Plant, Cook!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Non-GMO Choice Voice - Open Letter to Grocery Chains

Dear Folks,

I am happy to pass on to you an organization which is championing the consumer in helping you choose non-gmo products and retailers.

Non GMO Project

"The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit multi-stakeholder collaboration committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices.


Our shared belief is that everyone deserves an informed choice about whether or not to consume genetically modified organisms. We offer North America’s only third party verification and and labeling for non-GMO food and products."  -- http://www.nongmoproject.org/

In my previous post(s) I encouraged you as the consumer to make your voice known about your right to choose whether you buy gmo goods or not.  Here is a way for you to find retailers who support this right and / or find producers who espouse the same principal.

The foods/goods do not have to be organic (although many of them are) to choose to be non-gmo.

Information you need to be aware of:  Because a producer or grower chooses to work with non-gmo goods does not mean they can give you a 100% guarantee that their goods or foods have not been contaminated with gmo pollen -- that possibility exists as long as Monsanto, their fellow laboratory engineers and the USDA and FDA choose to allow gmo planting without restriction.

BUT at least we head in the right direction by supporting the producers of the products we want and shopping with retailers who provide us with that information.

The "organic" movement began with a wish and a prayer decades ago and has blossomed into the better availability options we have today.  This same 'consumer driven' spirit can make it clear to producers and retailers that we want that choice and we want it clearly labeled.

Remember that Kroger companies was one of the first to ban rBst from their stores.  It can also happen with GMO labeling - IF WE all ask for it.

. . .

An OPEN LETTER TO MAJOR GROCERY RETAILERS

As a consumer who regularly purchases some of my foods and goods from your stores I want the right to know if they contain GMO products or components.

I want labeling to allow me to make informed choices.

This is no different than the labeling allowed for non rBst dairy products.

I want your company and stores to permit producers to label their products as non-gmo.  And I want you to do more -- I want you to encourage your vendors to provide such labeling.  If you do this and promote it in your ads, you WILL get my attention along with the millions and millions of us who regularly look for organic or naturally produced goods.  If you clearly mark your natural and organic food shelves with NON-GMO signs - I will pay attention to that.  If you clearly mark your produce in sections with NON-GMO signs - I will pay attention.

Thank you,



-- Catherine, The Herb Lady