Organic & Non-GMO Report

In his excellent book Blessed Unrest noted author and entrepreneur Paul Hawken describes the millions of groups worldwide—“ranging from neighborhood organizations to well-funded international organizations”—working to protect the environment and fighting for social justice and human rights.

From coast to coast concerned citizens are organizing to demand the right to know and for non-GMO foods.

Farmers, agricultural consultants, representatives from environmental groups and a religious group, and concerned citizens recently called on the Iowa legislature to require labeling of genetically modified foods at a recent public hearing.

When scientists first learned in the late 1970s how to sequence DNA and transfer it from one kind of organism to another, improving foods and other crop plants by introducing foreign genes was among the first applications proposed.

“Non-GMO” becomes new gold standard for the industry

Whole Foods’ decision to require labeling of genetically modified foods in its stores by 2018 has been hailed as a “game changer.” The New York Times said it could “radically alter the food industry.”

Organic and natural food manufacturers praised Whole Foods’ GMO labeling commitment.

With Whole Foods’ recent commitment to GMO labeling by 2018, the demand for non-GMO and organic grains and ingredients is likely to increase. Companies that sell GMO-risk products to Whole Foods may reformulate their products with non-GMO ingredients.

Roulac is co-chair of GMO Inside, a new initiative to raise awareness about the presence of GMOs in food products.

Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds, located near Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, has grown and sold organic, non-GMO seeds for fresh sprouts and microgreens for over 30 years. But it’s cultivating more than seeds....

Farmers in the United States, Europe, Brazil, India, and South Africa find fewer non-GMO options as biotech companies monopolize seed markets with GMOs

Ice cream maker wants to help increase demand for conventional non-GMO ingredients and foods

PuraMaize© naturally impedes fertilization/contamination from GMO and blue corn pollen

Washington, Hawaii, Vermont, Connecticut, California, Missouri, New Mexico, Maryland, Rhode Island, Iowa, and Illinois

How biotechnology companies monopolize seed markets, escalate seed prices, and eliminate farmer choice

John Vandermeer is Asa Gray Distinguished University Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on tropical agroecosystems and theoretical ecology.

High Mowing Organic Seeds is offering its expertise to the Non-GMO Project with the aim of creating a non-GMO standard and testing protocols to verify seed as non-GMO.

In this age of profit-driven buyouts, lucrative mergers, and an obsession with the bottom line, it’s something of a head turner to hear about a business owner/CEO giving away his company to his employees—on the grounds that they’re the ones best suited to run it.