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New York Times Editorial, November 4, 2005
An Organic Drift
Organic food has become a very big business, with a 20 percent annual growth rate in sales in
recent years. But popularity has come at a price. Ever since 2002, when the Department of
Agriculture began its program of national organic certification, there has been a steady lobbying
effort to weaken standards in a way that makes it easier for the giant food companies, which
often use synthetic substances in processing, to enter the organic market. ...MORE...
An Organic Drift
Organic food has become a very big business, with a 20 percent annual growth rate in sales in
recent years. But popularity has come at a price. Ever since 2002, when the Department of
Agriculture began its program of national organic certification, there has been a steady lobbying
effort to weaken standards in a way that makes it easier for the giant food companies, which
often use synthetic substances in processing, to enter the organic market. ...MORE...
Roll Call
November 16, 2005
Two weeks ago, Congress finished work on this year's Agriculture appropriations bill and sent
it to the White House for the president's signature. Contained in the legislation was a
provision that had not been present in either the House or Senate bill and which had nothing to
do with funding the Department of Agriculture or any other agency whose budget is contained
in the bill. The language was not discussed during any formal meeting of the conferees. When
the final report surfaced, the question was raised, "Who among the conferees had insisted on
that language?" But no one stepped forward. ...MORE...
November 16, 2005
Two weeks ago, Congress finished work on this year's Agriculture appropriations bill and sent
it to the White House for the president's signature. Contained in the legislation was a
provision that had not been present in either the House or Senate bill and which had nothing to
do with funding the Department of Agriculture or any other agency whose budget is contained
in the bill. The language was not discussed during any formal meeting of the conferees. When
the final report surfaced, the question was raised, "Who among the conferees had insisted on
that language?" But no one stepped forward. ...MORE...
New York Times Op-Ed
November 23, 2005
WHEN I first sold my family's vegetables at farmers' markets in Virginia in 1980,
Slow Food hadn't been born, and the phrase "local foods" was not yet in the lingo.
The word "organic," however, was in vogue, and our customers always asked the
same question: Are you organic? Nine years old and barefoot, I tried not to
appear flummoxed. I stumbled over answers, most of them beginning, "No,
but..." ...MORE...
November 23, 2005
WHEN I first sold my family's vegetables at farmers' markets in Virginia in 1980,
Slow Food hadn't been born, and the phrase "local foods" was not yet in the lingo.
The word "organic," however, was in vogue, and our customers always asked the
same question: Are you organic? Nine years old and barefoot, I tried not to
appear flummoxed. I stumbled over answers, most of them beginning, "No,
but..." ...MORE...
From Acres USA Dec. 2005 Issue
WHOSE RING SHALL WE KISS FIRST? By Steve Sprinkel
It is plain that a corporate mafia has seized control of the organic movement, now that the US Congress agreed in
secret to allow the Organic Foods Production Act ( OFPA) to be amended on the 1st of November. Many were
thunderstruck that in the end such a deed could be so effortless. But its just another example of a democracy in
shambles. As a staff member for Senator Byron Dorgan told me: " Well, that seems to be the way they do things
around here lately." ...MORE...
WHOSE RING SHALL WE KISS FIRST? By Steve Sprinkel
It is plain that a corporate mafia has seized control of the organic movement, now that the US Congress agreed in
secret to allow the Organic Foods Production Act ( OFPA) to be amended on the 1st of November. Many were
thunderstruck that in the end such a deed could be so effortless. But its just another example of a democracy in
shambles. As a staff member for Senator Byron Dorgan told me: " Well, that seems to be the way they do things
around here lately." ...MORE...
Berkshire Eagle, December 4, 2005, Editorial
Art Ames was on his way to Colorado recently for a conference of co-op
market managers and members when the U.S. Senate went into the back room to
draw up rules compromising the integrity of organically labeled products. ...MORE...
Art Ames was on his way to Colorado recently for a conference of co-op
market managers and members when the U.S. Senate went into the back room to
draw up rules compromising the integrity of organically labeled products. ...MORE...
Jackson Progressive Home Page, Food Technology Page
Federal Food Policy: Organic Inconsistencies
By Joshua Frank, December 18, 2005 ...MORE...
Federal Food Policy: Organic Inconsistencies
By Joshua Frank, December 18, 2005 ...MORE...
Consumers Union article, February 2006 ...MORE...
Editorials in various publications