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Silk® SOYMILK ANNOUNCES ENROLLMENT IN THE NON-GMO PROJECT’S Product VERIFICATION PROGRAM
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Broomfield, Colo. (August 18, 2010) – Silk® Soymilk, the leading soymilk brand in the U.S., today announced it has enrolled in the Non-GMO Project’s Product Verification Program. The Non-GMO Project, launched in 2008, is a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, farmers, seed companies and consumers dedicated to the shared mission of ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO food and beverage choices. Since the brand’s inception in 1996, Silk has been committed to providing non-GMO plant-based protein beverages. GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE).

Download More Information: Silk Article Continued

More Information: Silk Soy Milk

NATIONAL MAGAZINE RATES PENSACOLA'S TAP WATER
Thursday, July 01, 2010

Pensacola's poor water quality is once again in a national publication. Open the link below to read an article published in the July edition of Women's Health magazine. The article explains the harmful additives found in tap water, more importantly, it points out cities with the best and worst tap water. Unfortunately, Pensacola is ranked number one in the country.

EATING PROCESSED MEATS, BUT NOT UNPROCESSED RED MEATS, MAY RAISE RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES
Thursday, June 03, 2010

A new study found that individuals who ate processed meats may be increasing their risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The researches, however, did not find the same results in those who ate unprocessed meats which included red meats, lamb, beef and pork.

More Information: Click here to read full article

STUDY SHOWS NO BENEFITS OF ORGANICS, BUT FAILS TO DISCLOSE LINK TO MONSANTO
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A recent study from the UK questions the validity of the health benefits of organics. The study's research however, was funded by Monsanto. Read the full story below.

More Information: Read the full article on www.naturalfoodnet.com

NEW ALARM BELLS ABOUT CHEMICALS IN CANCER
Monday, May 10, 2010

New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof reports on a study by the President’s Cancer Panel, warning that lax regulations may negatively affect our health.

More Information: Read the full article on www.nytimes.com

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH CARE RIGHTS! DSHEA TARGETED
Friday, March 26, 2010

DSHEA TARGETED

Our right to take supplements is under attack, and yet again the target is our stronghold of health freedom: the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). As we know, there has been a well-established pattern of attempting to weaken DSHEA with amendments and modifications.

This bill, the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010, would impose new requirements on supplement makers. These rules would needlessly complicate the production of natural supplements, making it harder for manufacturers to focus on innovation and quality.

In a worst-case scenario, this all-encompassing adverse event reporting amendment might even ultimately revoke our right to take supplements altogether.

Click link below to read entire article.

More Information: Nutritional Health Alliance

SPEAK OUT FOR HEALTHY FOODS IN SCHOOL!
Friday, March 26, 2010

ACTION ALERT:

Support legislation to help schools serve healthier food!

Childhood obesity and diabetes are at epidemic levels in our country. At Organic Valley, we promote the benefits of delicious, healthy eating, but realize that some children have little access to the nutritious foods that they need.

You can make a difference in the lives of more than 31 million children by helping schools serve healthier food. The National School Lunch program is a big part of the solution. Ask Congress to pass a strong Child Nutrition Act.

Right now, legislators are considering changes that will enable more schools to buy food from local farmers, cook fresh meals, teach healthy eating, and plant school gardens. This is an enormous opportunity for families and for farmers. Slow Food USA's Time for Lunch campaign website makes it easy for you to email your legislators.

Helping more schools serve healthy, local food would be a major step forward towards a future where everyone can enjoy food that's good for us, good for the planet and good for the farmers who produce it.

The Senate Agriculture Committee will begin marking up the bill this Wednesday, March 24, so your timely comments make a difference. Please take a moment to speak out at Slow Food USA's Time for Lunch. Then, contact us at rootstock@organicvalley.coop to let us know you took action.

Thanks for all you do!

The Farmers and Staff of Organic Valley
www.organicvalley.coop

More Information: Ask Congress/Slow Food USA's Time For Lunch

THE ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION OPENS ITS FIRST D.C. OFFICE
Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Washington, D.C. - The Organic Trade Association (OTA), headquartered in Greenfield, Massachusetts, has opened its first Washington, D.C., office in the Hall of the States at 444 North Capitol Street, NW.

Christine Bushway OTA's Executive Director and CEO, made the announcement, saying, "OTA is very excited about achieving this milestone at the beginning of its 25th anniversary year. This office, located three blocks from Capitol Hill, will help the trade association increase its visibility and effectiveness in D.C. with Congress, the Executive Branch and all regulatory agencies including the National Organic Program housed at USDA."

The Hall of the States is home to many Washington offices of the 50 states, U.S. territories and associations of state officials, as well as to college and university offices and associations. More than 90 organizations have office space there.


"Not only is this building within view of the U.S. Capitol, it also offers a host of amenities that will expand our capabilities, from meeting rooms and conference space to a library of resources for those working in the public policy arena," Bushway added.

In conjunction with opening the D.C. office, OTA is scaling up its policy and advocacy staff. Laura Batcha, formerly OTA's Director for Marketing and Public Relations, has been promoted to OTA's Chief of Policy and External Relations. Batcha will continue to be based at the Greenfield office but will devote more time in D.C. in her new role. In addition to Bushway, a new legislative and advocacy position will be filled and based out of the D.C. office.

"The physical office space-along with OTA's augmented government relations staff and members' continued participation on our policy task forces-will give OTA a more solid footing from which to advocate in Washington for organic agriculture," said Bushway, explaining that monies pledged to OTA's 2010 Annual Fund will provide the financial foundation of this enhanced government relations program.

Working on the policy front throughout its 25-year history, OTA envisions its government relations program will play an even more vital role in the coming days and years. Issues ranging from food safety to climate change, from National Organic Program (NOP) funding to emerging non-food standards, continue to be critical to the organic sector.

http://groceryheadquarters.com/articles/2010-01-06/The-Organic-Trade-Association-opens-its-first-DC-office

More Information: Organic Trade Association Website