Archive for the ‘GMO’ Category

GMO Alfalfa in the Flathead?

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
Alfalfa

Alfalfa

by Catherine Haug, April 3, 2013

(photo, right, from Wikipedia)

Two years ago, on January 27, 2011, the USDA approved Roundup-Ready GMO alfalfa for planting. You can view this history and read pertinent documents on the USDA’s Roundup-Ready Alfalfa website.

Originally, USDA Chief Vilsak had assured Organic growers that there would be restrictions on how close this new crop could be planted to Organic alfalfa fields, but he did not follow through with that promise; instead, he gave a green light to unrestricted planting of this crop. See Grist: In a stunning reversal, USDA chief Vilsack greenlights Monsanto’s alfalfa from Jan 2011.

What does this mean for Flathead farmers and ranchers? What does this mean for those who raise a dairy cow or goat for the family milk? (more…)

Gathering Summary: Homemade laundry soap and GMO discussion, with Sheree Tompkins, 022713

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
Laundry Soap Ingredients and Equipment

Laundry Soap Ingredients and Equipment

by Catherine Haug, March 2, 2013

Photo, right, of ingredients and equipment, by S. Tompkins

This was our first event at a new venue: the Crestview Senior Housing Clubhouse. We all sat around a big table while Sheree demonstrated how to make laundry soap at another table.

This is just a short synopsis; you can find more detail in the complete, printable pdf file: Gathering Summary: Homemade Laundry Soap and GMO Discussion, with Sheree Tompkins, and in her handout:  Homemade Laundry Powder or Liquid, by Sheree Tompkins

We took turns grating the bars of soap into a bowl, and passed around the finished product so all could see that it looks like. Sheree also brought a jug of liquid soap that she made from her powdered mix, and a bucket of liquid soap that she made by a more direct method (not mixing up the powder first) to show us what the gel mixture looks and feels like when scooped up in a ladle.

Cora Reynolds, a 97-year old resident of the housing complex shared with us how she used to make laundry soap bars when she lived in North Carolina, in the  old days before her community had electricity.

Then Sheree joined us at the big table to share GMO handouts and to talk about the Non-GMO Tipping Point Network of which she is the coordinator for NW Montana.

Read on for more detail about the presentation and discussion. (more…)

Hersheys uses GMO ingredients in their chocolate products

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

Frankenfood

by Catherine Haug, February 8, 2013 (image, right, used by permission from the Organic Consumers Association)

Do you eat/drink Hershey’s chocolate products? Do your children or grandchildren? If so, you might want to retying this. How about Dagoba, which is now owned by Hersheys. From the Organic Consumers Association:

“The Hershey’s kisses and chocolate bars sold here in the U.S. are loaded with cheap genetically modified beet sugar and genetically engineered soy lecithin. And where does the giant chocolate maker get its cacao? From regions where child labor and workers’ rights abuses run rampant.”

If this disturbs you, consider signing on to boycott Hershey’s. Go to Sweet Revenge: Boycott Hershey’s and Dagoba (1) to read more and sign the petition.

Dagoba may not (yet) be using GMO sugar and lecithin, but it is now owned by Hershey’s, so they will feel the pain if the boycott of Dagoba and other Hershey’s products is widespread.

Read on for more on GMO sugar beets and GMO soy and its byproducts; and for more about why you should be concerned about GMO. (more…)

Free screening of “Genetic Roulette” film

Friday, February 8th, 2013

by Catherine Haug, February 8, 2013

The Institute for Responsible Technology is offering another chance to view the film, Genetic Roulette – The Gamble of our Livesfor free, through February 10, 2013.  From the IRT Website: ‘[This film] was just awarded the Top Transformational Film of 2012 by AwareGuide! More than 15, 000 people from 50 countries voted for 30 films, including three on this year’s Academy Award shortlist. But Genetic Roulette was the “clear winner” by a wide margin.’

The film is 1 1/2 hours long and well worth the watch – especially when it’s free. But you only have a few days to take advantage of the free offer.

>> Go to Genetic Roulette Free Screening to view. <<

GMOs – The Tipping Point Network (TPN) Informational Flyer

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

Frankenfood

by Catherine Haug, February 2, 2013

(image, right, used by permission from Organic Consumers Association)

Don’t know what GMO is and why you should be concerned? See my earlier posts:

Or see Institute for Responsible Technology, or their Tipping Point Network. See also flyer GMO Tipping Point Montana Contact Flyer-3 (pdf)

Right now, GMO is not required on labels, so it’s not so easy to spot these foods. The key is knowing what else to look for on the label that hints at GMOs. For example, any processed food (boxed, canned, etc.)  containing corn, soy or canola ingredients is highly likely to contain GMO. To learn more, see the Non-GMO Shopping Guide (pdf).

But the sure way to know when a food contains GMO, is to require it on the label. If you are in favor of mandatory labeling of any food containing GMO ingredients, listen-up. ESP is working on a future event to educate people about GMOs and their harm, and about the GMO-Labeling effort. It’s also about how to increase awareness in our own community about the harm of GMO foods. Meanwhile, you can help.

Last month, a group of Montanans got together to launch a GMO-Awareness effort across our state, as part of  The Tipping Point Network. TPN aims to get enough states to require labeling of GMO, that our federal legislature will have to follow suit. And that requires enough people to understand the issue, and to get an initiative on the ballot – or otherwise to pressure the state legislature into passing such a law.

We now have a flyer providing contact information for the Montana TPN group, and contact info so people can learn more about GMOs. Print the flyer GMO Tipping Point Montana Contact Flyer-3 (pdf), then post it in your neighborhood, at your church or community center, or at favorite businesses in the valley (with their permission).

Help yourself and your family too; print out the Non-GMO Shopping Guide (pdf) which can help you to avoid GMO foods.

Why processed food & fast food is cheap

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

CAFO Herd of Herefords

by Catherine Haug, Jan 16, 2013

(photo, right, from R. Cummins article on CommonDreams.org)

There are probably many answers to why processed & fast food is cheap; I’ll focus on three major reasons:

  • government subsidies
  • fake food products
  • CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations)

(more…)