Happy Halloween!

I hope all goes well for you all this evening. I’m looking forward to giving out my apples. I’ll tell you how it went next week.
Asside from being healthier to eat less meat, Now we see its also better for the environment. About a year ago I cut my meat intake by a half and I found I have more energy too. I replaced that meat with more vegetables.

SURVEY OF OCA READERS: IS IT OKAY TO EAT MEAT?
Researchers from Cornell have published a study that reopens the debate over whether it's better for the environment to be an omnivore or a vegetarian. According to the study, a low fat carnivore diet with a limited amount of meat, dairy and/or eggs is actually a more efficient use of the land. The explanation is relatively simple: if you are trying to sustainably produce the maximum amount of food nutrients on a plot of land, the high value soil is better suited for food plants, whereas low value land can create more food via grazing livestock or wild game than by planting crops. Researchers noted that the average modern meat eater consumes levels of meat and dairy that are nearly three times what would be considered "efficient". Although specific geographical areas may result in varying equations, the study's land analysis found that the amount of omnivore intake for environmental efficiency is 2 cooked ounces per day. That amounts to around the size of two decks of cards every three days. Learn more and share your opinions about this study in OCA's web forum. Please take our quick poll there too, so we can determine how many readers are vegan, vegetarian, omnivore and carnivore: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=447
RELATED FACTS: YOUR DIET IMPACTS ENVIRONMENT MORE THAN YOUR CAR
13 PERCENT = The percentage of greenhouse gases created by all trucks, SUVs, cars, airplanes, trains and other transportation.
18 PERCENT = The amount of greenhouse gases created by livestock production.
Source: United Nations
Moral of the story: If you are an average U.S. meat eater, reducing your meat consumption to 2 ounces per day is roughly equivalent to doubling your vehicle's fuel efficiency, in terms of greenhouse gas reduction.

Enjoy! Marnie

It's Time to Help!

The Organic Consumers Association is THE organization that works the hardest to keep organic ORGANIC. They have set out on a conquest to enforce the Organic Standards where the USDA will not. If you want truely organic foods in the future these standards MUST be inforced. I have made a donation to the cause and I ask each of you to do so as well...

ORGANIC CONSUMERS SUE AURORA DAIRY IN 27 STATES FOR VIOLATING ORGANIC STANDARDS
Acting on behalf of organic food consumers in 27 states, class action lawsuits are being filed this week in U.S. federal courts in St. Louis and Denver, against one of the nation's largest organic dairies. The suits charge Aurora Dairy Corporation, based in Boulder, Colorado, with allegations of consumer fraud, negligence, and unjust enrichment concerning the sale of organic milk by the company. This past April, Aurora officials received a notice from the USDA detailing multiple and "willful" violations of federal organic law that were found by federal investigators, specifically not providing mandatory pasture access and bringing non-organic cows onto their massive feedlots. Unfortunately the USDA gave Aurora what the OCA considers a "slap on the wrist," rather than taking away the corporation's USDA Organic certification.

Commenting on this week's class action lawsuit, Ronnie Cummins, National Director of the OCA stated: "If the USDA refuses to properly enforce organic standards, then organic consumers have no choice but to act as their own enforcement body, using the courts to punish those corporations, like Aurora, that put profits ahead of organic integrity." Two weeks ago Aurora threatened to sue the OCA, Cornucopia Institute, and the Center for Food Safety if we didn't back off. Now it looks like Aurora will have to face the consequences of their "willful violations" of organic standards in court. OCA would like to thank the hundreds of organic consumers across the country who have joined in on this class action lawsuit. We would like to also thank the several hundred OCA network supporters who have sent us over the past two weeks more than $15,000 to carry on this important legal battle. But now we need your help more than ever. If you can afford to help us fight this David versus Goliath battle over organic integrity, please send us a donation now.

To Donate: http://www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm
For more information on this historic lawsuit see: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7757.cfm

Enjoy! Marnie

Thanksgiving Turkeys

Yes, it’s that time again! However, we are no longer with the supplier who sold us the Organic turkeys for Thanksgiving previous years and our present supplier does not deal in meat. I have sent out some inqueries to other farms and suppliers, and I hope we will be able to secure some. If you are interested in an Organic turkey for Thanksgiving please tell me so I can have a count. I won’t actually order them without running the prices by you.
Please remember to bring back your boat bags for refilling, we tend to get a little short of boxes. Thanks.

Core Truths on the Major Benefits of Organic Food and Farming
The Organic Center's groundbreaking 108-page coffee table book is still available. Core Truths provides an overview of the science showing that:
- Organic often tastes better
- Organic produce contains, on average, 30 percent higher levels of antioxidants
- Organic farming can cut mycotoxin risk by over 50 percent
- Organic food dramatically reduces pesticide exposure
- Organic farms typically use less energy
Only $30 (plus $5 shipping and handling in US). http://www.organic-center.org/CoreTruthsOrderForm.pdf

Enjoy! Marnie

Halloween!

I have a real thing about sugar. I believe it is an addictable drug that affects our taste buds, our health and our behavior. (I know how irresistable it can be!) Come Halloween, for years I have been giving out little plastic toys as well, for those kids who don’t want candy. I hate to see sugar forced on them, and I have been greatly encouraged by their squeals of happieness at the toys. But now, as I become more environmentally aware, I realize that though the plastic toys aren’t forming sugar addicts, they aren’t good for the environment.

So this year I am taking the plunge, I am going to give out Organic Apples. I know the stigma that is attached to apples, but each one will have a little tag stating where it came from (me) and that it is organic. The parents can always throw it out, but I will not be contributing to the degradation of our children. If any of you are interested, I can order you apples through the coop at the rate of $50 per case of 100 apples. I will need to know your case count by October 29th. They will be delivered here on Halloween day.

VICTORY OF THE WEEK: KELLOGG CLEANS UP ITS ACT
Caving to the threat of a lawsuit over the company's marketing practices, Kellogg has announced a new sweeping policy that will shift the company's nutritional guidelines and set a new standard for the food industry. Under the new guidelines, all products marketed to children under the age of 12 must contain a maximum of 200 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, 230 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of labeled sugar and 0 grams of labeled trans fat per serving. Currently, 50% of Kellogg products marketed to children fail to meet their new criteria. The company says implementation will begin immediately. 27% of Kellogg's advertising budget goes to marketing to children under the age of 12.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5651.cfm

Enjoy! Marnie

Water, Water Everywhere...

I talked all about the quarterly reports and forgot to put them in the baskets! That’s why you have your report this week instead of last week. I did manage to get a few in the baskets that were still here after 6 pm last week. So, the report is as of last week! This week is in addition to it!

The League of Women Voters is putting out a little Eco-Tip each month in their newsletter. I think it’s a great idea. I have designed the little logo for it (below), but have chosen our “Eco-Tip” from the Organic Consumers Association as usual.

FIND OUT WHAT'S IN YOUR TAP WATER AND MOVE BEYOND TOXIC PLASTIC BOTTLES
Although it's common knowledge that industry, factory farms, government agencies (especially the military), and municipalities are polluting our drinking water supply, this awareness has led to a widespread phobia of tap water that is ironically exacerbating the water pollution problem. It takes five times as much water to make the plastic bottle than the amount of water the bottle actually holds. Last year, Americans consumed 1.5 million barrels of oil to make disposable water bottles. That's enough to take 100,000 cars off the road and 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The average American adult spends nearly $200 each year on bottled water. And of course recent scientific studies indicate that hormone disrupting chemicals are steadily leaching out of those billions of non-recycled plastic water bottles that Coke and Pepsi are selling us, and poisoning us. But how do you know if the water coming out of your home or workplace's faucet is actually okay to drink in the first place? Obviously, in some cases it's not, but here are some links to help you find out if your fear of your tap water is really justified:

OCA REVIEW OF TOP TAP WATER SAFETY TESTING OPTIONS
1) Water suppliers are required to supply an annual drinking water quality report. The report you tells where your water comes from and what's in it. To get your local municipality's report, check here: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/ Advantages: The report is free and relatively thorough. Disadvantages: Water suppliers aren't required by law to test for all contaminants.

2) The Watersafe Test Kit is an affordable tool that identifies harmful levels of eight different common contaminants in water: bacteria, lead, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, pH, hardness and two common pesticides. Advantages: It's only $20, and it's a home kit that you can use anytime and anywhere you like. Disadvantages: Although the kit tests for the 8 most ubiquitous types of contaminants, there are other less common pollutants it does not assess. http://www.nextag.com/watersafe-test-kits/

3) NTlabs provides consumers with the most thorough laboratory analysis of drinking water we can find at such an affordable rate. Advantages: The Watercheck includes a 75 item check for: bacteria, heavy metals, inorganic chemicals, trihalomethanes, 44 volatile organic chemicals, and 20 pesticides, herbicides and PCB's. Disadvantage: The cost is $159, but you may actually save money if you find out you don't need to be investing in bottled water and filters http://www.ntllabs.com

Enjoy! Marnie

Chemical Sensitivity

I know I have been bad about the quarterly reports, but I can get so busy and you all have been very good about keeping your accounts close to paid up. But here we are, at the end of a quarter so I have printed out statements for those of you who do not have your accounts at zero. Some of you have credits too. Please note that the total on your Statement includes the basket this week!

We had a GREAT time last weekend. Even biking in the rain! I got an inflatable mattress which helped me get a good night sleep and it wasn’t too cold which helped a lot. Biking on the old railroad beds is key. They are flat! It all made for a great camp out and bike ride with the Boy Scouts.

I know a few of you have chemical sensitivity stories to tell. Here is your chance to make your experiences help effect lawmaking! Please go to the link below and anonymously enter your story!!!

CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES? YOUR STORY IS NEEDED IN OCA's WEB FORUM
Have you or someone you know had experiences with chemical sensitivities? The Organic Consumers Association is looking to collect stories from thousands of citizens regarding such sensitivities related to foods, pesticides, additives, genetically engineered ingredients, and any other consumer-related product. Simply follow the link below to OCA's web forum where we have set up a special section to collect these stories. These anonymous stories will be a valuable tool for helping us win support from policy-makers and industry decision-makers in further protecting consumer health. (If you haven't already done so, you will need to register to post to the OCA forum, which is quick and easy).

Share your story here: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=361


Enjoy! Marnie

Focus on Milk

This is one of the busiest falls I can remember. Lots of events, parties, homework, work. And now I volunteered to go on a bicycle/campout with the Boy Scouts. Will somebody please shake some sense into me!

Anyway, with the summer prices for produce, we have nice full baskets this week. Don’t forget to get your milk from the Co-op. Natural by Nature is grass fed, local milk with no growth hormones. And it costs less than the organic milk at Kings!

I have started a blog too for the Co-op – these weekly notes are posted at http://mtnlakesorganic.blogspot.com.

GRASSROOTS VICTORY OF THE WEEK: STARBUCKS BOOTS MONSANTO'S BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE FROM ITS CAFES
After six years of pressure from the Organic Consumers Association and its allies, Starbucks has announced it will completely phase out recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH/rBST) in all of its company-owned coffeeshops by early 2008. The coffee-chain's decision comes on the heels of an announcement from food retail giant, Kroger's, who announced they will ban rBGH in all of their supermarkets by February 2008. Since 2001, the OCA's "Starbucks Campaign" has been calling on the company to discontinue serving rBGH milk and to ensure that at a significant proportion of their coffee and chocolate is certified Fair Trade and Organic.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6974.cfm


Enjoy! Marnie

Welcome Back

I hope you all have had a lovely summer. We are welcoming many new members this week - all people who have inquired about the coop over the summer. I hope you all have your kids off to school and are ready for another beautiful fall.

Please look in your Natural Awakenings. Mary Rosseland's and my company, ecoLOGIC-design, is featured on page 5. The Co-op also has an ad on page 20. We have been very busy over the summer finding out about the ins and outs of the environmental world and there is lots out there!

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS: NEW YORK TIMES EXPOSES USDA SABOTAGE OF ORGANICS
On August 19, the New York Times exposed the USDA for shortchanging organic programs. Journalist Andrew Martin pointed out that the National Organic Program, which regulates the entire organic industry, has just nine staff members and a puny annual budget of $1.5 million. In contrast, the New York Times went on to describe how chemical-agribusinesses have individually received more than that in subsidies, including $1.7 million in subsidies given to a single mega-farm in Florida. The article goes on to point out that the USDA (whose annual budget is $100 billion) spent $28 million on organic agriculture programs last year, which may sound like a lot, but, in comparison, the agency spent $37 million subsidizing farmers who grew dry peas last year. As a note of reference on those numbers, consumers spend only $83 million a year on dry peas, whereas consumers spent almost $17 billion last year on organic food. The New York Times noted, "It's not entirely surprising that organics are such a low priority at the department and in Congress. Both the agency and farm-state members of Congress are reliable cheerleaders for industrialized agriculture, and Big Ag has often viewed organics with suspicion, if not outright disdain."
Learn more and get active: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6710.cfm

Enjoy!