Tuesday, December 21, 2010

No Baskets till next year!

Enjoy the Holidays!
Marnie

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

LETTERS FROM CANCUN

Working to Slow Climate Change: Farmers Inspire Hope & Action
The earth's atmosphere is polluted with 390 ppm of CO2, well past the dangerous tipping point of 350 ppm. If the world's 12 billion acres of farms and pastures were transitioned to organic, we could pull 50 ppm of that carbon down from the atmosphere and store it safely in the soil. Here's how it works:
Compost, Not Chemicals
Synthetic fertilizers destroy soil life and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Organic farming uses natural fertilizers to restore soil health and clean greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Forage, Not Factory Farms
Animals packed into factory farms generate oceans of greenhouse gas polluting waste. Animals that forage on pasture fertilize the soil with their waste and encourage the growth of deep-rooted perennial grasses that draw carbon down from the atmosphere.
Farmers' Movements, Not Monsanto
The world's 1.5 billion family farmers and 1 billion farm workers are the caretakers of the skills, knowledge and biodiversity needed to make the great transition from fossil-fuel fertilizers and factory farms to organic farming and ranching. But, their power will be lost if we can't stop transnational corporations like Monsanto from genetically engineering their plants and animals, forcing them to buy expensive chemical pesticides and fertilizers, enslaving them with debt, pushing them off their land, and stealing their water.
Zero Waste, Zero Emissions
The number one issue for farmers -- and the key to drawing carbon down from the atmosphere to slow climate change -- is soil fertility. If farmers are going to switch from fossil fuel fertilizers to organic compost, compost has to be less expensive and in greater supply. Food scraps and yard waste make great compost, there's tons of it, and it's free. We just need to rescue it from the landfills, incinerators and power generators. We can do it ourselves and we can pass local laws to make composting mandatory.
by Alexis Baden-Mayer Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The End of the Growing Season

All the vegetables today are local except the squash and garlic and this marks the end of New Jersey’s growing season. In future weeks, we will be getting some local root veggies that Karley, our grower, is storing, otherwise all of the produce will be coming at least as far as from Pennsylvania. Karley and I agreed today that it has worked out well for us and we will be working together again next year.

Milk Feedback Wanted!
I’d like to either get more people purchasing milk or stop carrying it. I’ve noticed we have been selling less milk and it goes out of date and I have to take a loss because of it. I know some of you have bought outdated cartons, and I know it’s annoying when you get home to find you have old milk. I am, myself avoiding milk because it’s not good for older women to drink. This, however, is particularly good milk, being from grass fed cows and locally farmed in PA. I like the flavor of it the most. If you have a wish for me to continue getting the milk, what type and any other comments about it, please email me. 

Local Christmas Trees
One of our members has a tree farm! For a local, fresh cut Christmas tree go to the Small Wonder Tree Farm. Located at 170 Sunset Rd, Pompton Plains, NJ. Open weekends only - 9:30 till dark. They have Norway spruce, balsam, spruce, blue spruce, Douglas fir, Fraser fir and Concolor spruce - All sizes and shapes. Talk to Bob Crescitelli for directions and details.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Holiday Season

I hope you all had a tremendous feast for Thanksgiving. Once again, the holiday season is in full force with the decorations up, sales in the stores, and cookies in the oven. You can make your holiday a little healthier by buying a locally grown Christmas tree, learning how to juice, and sticking to raw organic fruits and vegetables - at least when you’re not at a party - or introduce them in your pot luck!
There was a lot of confusion over the Thanksgiving week off. Please, everyone watch the calendar for holidays with the Co-op: www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html . We will have the last week of the year off too. We follow the Mtn Lakes school holiday schedule.
The Benefits of Juicing - Food Prep Class
This Thursday, Dec. 2nd - 12-2 PM
At The Mountain Lakes Organic Co-op
Juicing is one of the most effective ways to get vitamins and minerals into your body. Freshly extracted juices are far superior in nutrient content than store-bough pasteurized juices. They are also very healing and can be used to treat many health problems or to implemented as a cleanse from toxins in the body. In this class you will learn why juicing should become an essential part of your daily routine. Chef Zoe will demonstrate recipes for three juices - green juice, fruit juice and therapeutic roots juice. She will provide tips on how to pick, store and maximize the use of product in juicing.
Each class is $25 individually, or a four class package is $75.
For more info and to sign up visit the Events Calendar at www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html .
Local Christmas Trees
One of our members has a tree farm! For a local, fresh cut Christmas tree go to the Small Wonder Tree Farm. Located at 170 Sunset Rd, Pompton Plains, NJ. Open weekends only - 9:30 till dark. They have Norway spruce, balsam, spruce, blue spruce, Douglas fir, Fraser fir and Concolor spruce - All sizes and shapes. Talk to Bob Crescitelli for directions and details
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Standard of living vs Quality of life

-Another part of my term paper
My presentation is Thursday. Wish me luck!
The term standard of living is not to be mistaken for quality of life, which also includes ones health, environmental quality, and social well-being, though they are often used interchangeably. There has been quite a debate over which indicators are better to use to show how happy people are. The Easterlin Paradox is where this particular discussion begins. In 1974 Richard Easterlin published a paper “Does Economic Growth Improve the Human Lot? Some Empirical Evidence.” He found that, within a country, citizens happiness increased as their incomes got higher. But when comparing countries, happiness increased only until their subsistence was taken care of, and did not increase substantially beyond that, no matter what the incomes. The intensive fury we are in, to make more and more, is called the “hedonic treadmill”. In layman's terms, keeping up with the Jones’ gone wild. 
The western business world, which uses the GDP to indicate well-being, did not like this finding. Our economy is built for growth. The more it grows the more healthy it is said to be - new houses, new products, citizens are labeled consumers. The Easterlin Paradox indicates that this growth is not necessary for our well-being, and it indicates that people would be just as happy with a steady state economy.
The Easterlin Paradox ‘opened up a can of worms’  and perhaps even began a new science - of measuring happiness. Since 1974, scientists have performed similar surveys arriving at similar results. Which indicators to use and techniques of measuring happiness have been argued between social scientists and economists. The point that we can live just as happily with far less, also began to interest the environmentalist. This topic of measuring happiness via GDP versus other indicators, has produced a number of reports worthy of discussion...
Don’t you want to read the whole paper?

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

World Imbalance

World Imbalance - quote of the week
"For years, humans have tried to conquer nature, but in doing so, they themselves became conquered. They lost their connection with the earth. They destroyed the land they were tilling. In Buddhist belief, there are no pesticides, no bad insects, no good ones. There is only imbalance in the world. We must restore that balance."
-Han Guojie, water-quality engineer turned farmer, quoted in "Sowing Seeds for an Organic Revolution," by William Wan in the Washington Post, November 2, 2010
San Francisco Bans Happy Meals
By Sharon Bernstein - Los Angeles Times, November 2, 2010 
The city's board of supervisors votes to forbid restaurants from giving away toys with meals that have high levels of calories, sugar and fat. This effectively bans most of McDonald's Happy Meals as they are now served in the restaurants.
The ordinance would also require restaurants to provide fruits and vegetables with all meals for children that come with toys. 
"We're part of a movement that is moving forward an agenda of food justice," said Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure. "From San Francisco to New York City, the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country is making our kids sick, particularly kids from low income neighborhoods, at an alarming rate. It's a survival issue and a day-to-day issue."
Just after the vote, McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud said, "We are extremely disappointed with today's decision. It's not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for."
For related articles and more information please visit OCA's      http://www.organicconsumers.org/afc.cfm .
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Holiday Season Begins!

I hope you all had a spooky Halloween. I gave out the organic apples as usual. I bought 500 and we ran out by 7:00 pm so the last couple hundred kids got candy. As always, Halloween in the Village is exhausting. So now the Holiday Season has officially begun! I will look into organic turkeys for anyone who is interested. Expect to hear more about them in the coming weeks.

I have some papers due in school in the next few weeks too. Here is an excerpt from my paper for the Ethics in Sustainability class:

A person’s Standard of Living is an economics term for the measure of ones income and ability to purchase the items desired. It is a measure of a citizen’s ability to consume. The term standard of living is not to be mistaken for quality of life, which also includes ones health, environmental quality, and social issues. One’s standard of living is the primary scale by which Americans judge themselves as better or worse off than others, but does not mean a person has a better “quality of life.” Yes, living sustainably may degrade one’s standard of living, but it will not necessarily degrade a person’s quality of life. People are repelled by the idea of living a “sustainable” life style because they immediately envision hard labor and the loss of material goods. However, studies have found the quality of life does not diminish until poverty levels. In some cases quality of life increases with more sustainable lifestyles. This is due to personal satisfaction with behaving in a sustainable way and working with others of a like mind...

More to come!
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Goodbye Harvest Season!

The end of of New Jersey’s harvest season is coming. We have a couple weeks left and can only get the leafy greens, winter squashes, peppers, potatoes, and kiwi berries. We’ve already started getting citrus from Florida and California and will begin to source more from these winter growing states like the pineapples. I’ve enjoyed the fresh Jersey produce this summer. It was a bumper crop of tomatoes and the berries, cukes, carrots, peas, beans, basil, broccoli were all so delicious! 
Safeguard Organic Standards
Chemical and energy-intensive industrial food and farming poses a mortal threat to life on the planet. Monsanto and Food Inc. are rapidly destroying the soil, contaminating water, reducing biodiversity, and destabilizing the climate. Meanwhile consumers are being stuffed with junk foods that make us fat and sick. Industrial agriculture's fatal harvest includes trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and filthy, disease-ridden factory farmed animal products laced with pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, nano-particles and bacteria. ...
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is holding its twice-yearly standards-setting meeting in Madison, WI next week. Organic Consumers Association political director Alexis Baden-Mayer will be speaking at the meeting on behalf of our quarter-million active members and we need you to back up her testimony with letters to the NOSB on the topics that are most important to you.
There are 8 Action emails you can send at this link! If there is ever an opportunity to voice your opinion, this is it.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Focus on Energy

New Jersey has some issues regarding the energy we use. Now with the ability to choose our electric supplier we can switch away from JCP&L to greener sources. One of our Co-op members, Laura Nisivoccia, is a sales person for Viridian. Take home a brochure and find out how you can get green energy for less.
Coal Country & New Jersey
Wednesday Oct 20th - 6:30 pm
Coal Country spotlights Appalachian coal mining through the eyes of miners and activists. What is behind promises of "cheap energy" and "clean coal?" And what are the alternatives for our energy future?
After the film, Christine Guhl, a field organizer for the Sierra Club will make a 30 minute presentation about the coal and it's past and future in New Jersey. The focus of her presentation will be on the existing Hudson generating station and the proposed PurGen plant in Linden, as well as the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission lines.
Food Prep Class: Superfoods
Thursday, Oct 21st - 12 to 2 pm
Join Phyllis, a certified Holistic Health Counselor, here at the Co-op, as she teaches us how to prepare superfoods. Superfoods are vibrant, nutritionally dense foods that have recently become widely available. They offer tremendous dietary and healing potential. They include goji berries, hempseed, cacao beans (raw chocolate), maca, spirulina, bee products, and a host of others. In this workshop we will prepare delicious recipes using superfoods and discuss their health benefits, quality sources for obtaining them and where to go to learn more so you can make them a daily part of your diet.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Rainbarrels

We had 14 people come to the rainbarrel workshop and had fun making rainbarrels out of recycled Coke syrup shipping barrels. They still smelled like coke syrup! We bought more barrels than were sold so we have some available. At $75 they are the cheapest barrels available and you don’t have to pay a shipping fee either. Installation directions from Rutgers are included. And the barrels are white! You can help yourself to the display model. I’ll put another out when I see it gone. Or if you want more than one, please email me or write it on the invoice.

Coal Country & New Jersey
Wednesday Oct 20th - 6:30 pm
Coal Country spotlights Appalachian coal mining through the eyes of miners and activists. The Sierra Club visit miners and coal company officials who are concerned about jobs and the economy and believe they are acting responsibly in bringing power to the American people. What is behind promises of "cheap energy" and "clean coal?" And what are the alternatives for our energy future?
After the film, Christine Guhl, a field organizer for the Sierra Club will make a 30 minute presentation about the coal and it's past and future in New Jersey. The focus of her presentation will be on the existing Hudson generating station and the proposed PurGen plant in Linden, as well as the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission lines.

Food Prep Class: Superfoods
Thursday, Oct 21st - 12 to 2 pm
Join Phyllis, a certified Holistic Health Counselor, here at the Co-op, as she teaches us how to prepare superfoods. Superfoods are vibrant, nutritionally dense foods that have recently become widely available. They offer tremendous dietary and healing potential. They include goji berries, hempseed, cacao beans (raw chocolate), maca, spirulina, bee products, and a host of others. In this workshop we will prepare delicious recipes using superfoods and discuss their health benefits, quality sources for obtaining them and where to go to learn more about them so you can make them a daily part of your diet.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

10/10/10

Sunday, 10/10/10 at 4:00 pm-
Rainbarrels & Composters
This doesn't happen often! Join thousands of people around the globe, and get out to do something for your planet today (www.350.org). Wanda Knapik and Marnie Vyff are joining forces to show you the first steps in making your garden sustainable. For a small amount we will learn how to make our own rain-barrels and get the directions to make composters for your gardens. We will talk about why these two items are essential to every environmentally friendly backyard and discuss "green" gardening techniques. Have you ever heard of permaculture? This is it! 
For more information www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html contact Marnie at FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com or 973-335-4469.   
Take Action on Climate Change
Please Join Organic Consumers Association and 350.org in our Upcoming Actions
On 10/10/10, OCA's climate justice ally, 350.org is organizing a Global Work Party to involve people in positive actions in their local communities to demonstrate how we can sharply reduce and sequester climate-destabilizing greenhouse gases and move back below the dangerous tipping point of 350 parts per million of CO2 in our atmosphere.
A worldwide shift of agriculture from chemical-intensive factory farms and industrial monocultures to organic practices could drastically reduce CO2, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions, and sequester a critical mass of carbon back in the soil, where it belongs. That's why OCA and 350.org are encouraging people to spend 10/10/10 working on a community garden or an organic farm in your local area.
Please go to www.350.org to find out what other organic consumers and climate justice activists in your community have planned for 10/10/10 like Mtn Lakes Organic Co-op’s Rainbarrel & Composter Workshop. See you there!

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Two Great Classes

This Thursday! - Food Prep Class: 
Raw Foods Dairy Substitution
Thursday September 30th from 12 to 2 pm
At the workshop we will learn why dairy posses many dangers to your health and how you can begin to substitute it with dairy-free versions. Chef Zoe will demonstrate how to make the following:
*Almond Mylk      *Mayonaise      *Ice Cream
We are introducing Zoe, a raw foods chef and founder of RAWbundant, an organic and raw line of foods, ingredients and specialty equipment. Zoe is dedicated to helping people live their best lives through learning about healthy nutrition and the advantages of a high raw diet. There are many wonderful videos and tips on health and nutrition that you may find useful on her blog at: http://zoevblog.com/. Samples of RAWbundant's signature dishes will be available after the workshop.
Each class is $25 individually, or a four class package is $75.
Find out about the individual classes and sign up through the Events Calendar or contact Marnie at FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com and 973-335-4469.
Save the Date - Global Work Party! 
Rainbarrels & Composters
The Date is 10/10/10. This doesn't happen often! Make the day special and get out to do something for your planet. Wanda Knapik and Marnie Vyff are joining forces to show you the first steps in making your garden sustainable. We will learn how to make rain-barrels and composters for your gardens. We will talk about why these two items are essential to every environmentally friendly backyard and discuss "green" gardening techniques. 
For more information www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html contact Marnie at FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com or 973-335-4469.   
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Food Prep Class: Raw Foods Dairy Substitution

Thursday September 30th from 12 to 2 pm
At the workshop we will learn why dairy posses many dangers to your health and how you can begin to substitute it with dairy-free versions. Chef Zoe will demonstrate how to make the following:
*Almond Mylk
*Mayonaise
*Ice Cream
We are introducing Zoe, a raw foods chef and founder of RAWbundant, an organic and raw line of foods, ingredients and specialty equipment. Zoe is dedicated to helping people live their best lives through learning about healthy nutrition and the advantages of a high raw diet. There are many wonderful videos and tips on health and nutrition that you may find useful on her blog at: http://zoevblog.com/. Samples of RAWbundant's signature dishes will be available after the workshop.
Come to one class or come to all...
Learn about a different type of healthy food preparation – raw foods, foods that are good for your heart, gluten free grains. We’ll prepare seasonal produce, canning summer fruits, make tomato sauce, and even learn how to detox in the winter. join us for pleasant afternoon socials, and learn about delicious and healthy food preparation.
Each class is $25 individually, or a four class package is $75.
Find out about the individual classes and sign up through the Events Calendar or contact Marnie at FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com and 973-335-4469.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Food Prep Class: Preserving the Bounty of the Season

This Thursday from 12 to 2 pm

Its a bumper crop! Gardens are chock full of fruits and vegetables now, your co-op and your local farmers market too. It's time to learn how to reap the benefits of the produce for months to come. In this demonstration class we will learn about the different techniques for preserving fruits and vegetables; canning, freezing and dehydrating; so you can enjoy eating whole foods all year long.

Phyllis is a certified Holistic Health Counselor with over 20 years practicing in the field of nutrition. She is a coach, educator, and chef skilled in multiple food disciplines. Certified by the Institute for Food Studies and The National Gourmet Institute, Phyllis has authored healthy alternative menus for schools, taught food education, and, overall, dedicated her life to sharing and promoting health through nutrition in the public and private sector.

Learn about a different type of healthy food preparation each month ? raw foods, foods that are good for your heart, gluten free grains. We?ll prepare seasonal produce, can summer fruits, make tomato sauce, and even learn how to detox in the winter. join us each month for a pleasant afternoon social, and learn about delicious and healthy food preparation.

Come to one class or come to all...
Each class is $25 individually, or a four class package is $75.

To sign up rsvp or contact Marnie at:
MountainLakes Organic Co-op, llc
10 Vale Dr, MountainLakes, NJ 07046
973-335-4469
FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Factory Farms, Eggs & Food Safety

The recall of a half-billion eggs from two mega-farms in Iowa is accelerating the call for government action on food safety. Some news reports are confusing consumers over the safety of organic eggs. A couple facts: No USDA certified organic egg producers have been recalled. Factory farm practices that are banned in organic, including battery cages and feed contaminated with slaughterhouse waste and manure, are believed to be the cause of disease outbreaks.

Some consumer groups are pushing the Senate to vote on its version of the food safety bill passed by the House last year. Here are a few things we can to do to get moving in the right direction:

1. Congress should exempt small-scale, direct-to-consumer, local, pasture-based, and organic farmers and food processors from inappropriate food safety regulations. Support Tester-Hagan amendments to Senate Bill 510.
2. Consumers should swear off factory-farmed animal products and eat vegetarian when pasture-raised organic isn't available. We also need to press the USDA to require pasture for organic chickens.
3. Regulators should phase-out the worst factory farming practices. The USDA organic standards ban battery cages. Michigan and California are the first states to pass phase-out laws. Banning battery cages can cut the risk of salmonella contamination in half.
4. Localities should lift restrictions on residents raising chickens in their backyards.

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

School!

Time to gather together again what is left of our beach-brains and send our kids (and some of us) back to school! My son managed to pick up a virus playing soccer in the rain last week (and eating peanut butter & fluffernutter sandwiches). So he’s off to a slow start. He got enough down time to get his summer reading done though!

New Pick-up Site in Rockaway!
The Rockaway site will be operational on Big weeks (even weeks), so all types of baskets are available there every other week. If you are interested in picking up from the Rockaway Site please email me.
Kate Gray is our new host. She is a Certified Health Counselor and Animal Rights Advocate. She decided to become a health counselor to fulfill her passion of raising awareness of nutrition and the powerful mind body connection.
Find out more about our Madison and Rockaway sites on their webpages... 
We are still looking for a Montville host. If you are interested please contact me to discuss what it entails.

Read about us in the latest Newspaper Article we're in!

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Weather Broke!

The night of August 18th, in my book, Fall started. Every year, there is always a night where the air suddenly is different, and then it stays different. The heat of the summer is over. Haven’t you been sleeping better? That's not to say we won't have the usual warmer than usual days, but the nights will be much cooler now. With the fall comes apples, and squashes, and pumpkins and pears. The leafy greens can grow locally again too.

New Pick-up Site in Rockaway!
The Rockaway site will be operational on Big weeks, so all types of baskets are available there every other week. If you are interested in picking up from the Rockaway Site please email me.

Kate Gray is our new host. She is a Certified Health Counselor and Animal Rights Advocate. She decided to become a health counselor to fulfill her passion of raising awareness of nutrition and the powerful mind body connection.

Find out more about our Madison and Rockaway sites on their webpages...

www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Rockaway.html
www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Madison.htm

We are still looking for a Montville host. If you are interested please contact me to discuss what it entails.

Read about us in the latest Newspaper Article we're in too!
www.northjersey.com/food_dining/marketplace/99916424_Responding_to_the_demand_for_fresh_and_tasty.html


Enjoy!
Marnie

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Soccer has begun!

Soccer has begun! We are back now (more or less) from the summer. Kristian met his little sister, his father’s baby. I’ve seen the pictures and, I have to say, she is very cute!
I will make this note brief because, my sorters are still on vacation so I’m doing it all today. The supplier gave us conventional strawberries by accident, so be sure to wash them extra well, even soak them.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Tomatoes!


The tomatoes are king this week! We have a few less different items because the tomatoes are in high season right now and we are concentrating on them. The blueberries are still good here in Jersey and the melons are ripe! A great salad that is totally in season right now is the Horitaki Salad or Greek salad...
Horitaki Greek Salad
Ingredients
  • 3 tomatoes sliced in segments
  • 1 large red onion sliced
cucumber quartered lengthwise and sliced in 1/3’’ segments 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
How to make it
Combine all ingredients except olive oil and toss gently. Spread olive oil over all and sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Beautiful Local Produce!

Things are working out really well with Jeff’s Produce, our local organic supplier! Some of you may know Karley from various local farmer’s markets. She is my contact. This week we have hugh beefsteak tomatoes, grown right here in New Jersey. The zucchini, cucumbers, beets, and chard are also New Jersey grown. She didn’t have enough melons, but next week she should! 
I hope you all are enjoying your summer! I just climbed 2 mountains in 2 days in the catskills this weekend. (I’m really proud of that!) So my summer is turning out fine.
The Organic Solution to the Climate Crisis
"The future of life on this planet may depend on what we eat. Factory farmed junk food is the #1 cause of climate change, but we can save the planet by going organic.
"The greenhouse gas emissions from factory farms, deforestation, industrial crop production, food processing, and long-distance distribution make the food sector the biggest cause of climate change, responsible for at least a third of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Factory farmed meat, dairy and eggs alone may contribute as much as 51%!
"But we can change food system pollution into food system solutions. A worldwide shift to local, organic food production would drastically reduce food system emissions and turn the world's farmland into a carbon sink to capture and store 40% of global greenhouse gas pollution."
- Excerpt from Organic Consumers Association's "Food Agenda 2020: The Organic Alternative"
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

New Jersey Farm!

We have solidified a deal with a new supplier of local, New Jersey veggies this week – Jeff’s Organic Produce. About half the veggies are from them and I look forward to a full season working with them!
Please don’t forget – We will not be having baskets the next 2 weeks – July 13th and July 20th. We will still have milk, eggs and cheese in the fridge so please feel free to come by and shop! Have a wonderful couple weeks!
Nitrates in Water and Food may Increase Thyroid Cancer Risks for Women
By Ward, MH, BA Kilfoy, PJ Weyer, KE Anderson, AR Folsom and JR Cerhand – Environmental Health News, June 29, 2010
Nitrates in drinking water and food increase risk of thyroid cancer and thyroid hormone disease.

Long-term exposure to nitrates through food and water may increase a woman's risk of thyroid disease, finds a study of older women in Iowa. Public water supplies contaminated with nitrates increased the risk of thyroid cancer in the women. Eating nitrates from certain vegetables was linked to increases in thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism, one type of thyroid disease.

This is the first study to show a link between nitrates and thyroid cancer in people, although nitrates have been shown to cause thyroid tumors in animal studies.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Which Federal Politicians Oppose GMO Labeling?

We will not be having baskets July 13th and July 20th. 


Monsanto's Minions in Congress
Each year Monsanto contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to elected officials, while their powerful allies, Food Inc. and the Farm Bureau, contribute millions more. We characterize these indentured Congress members as "Monsanto's Minions," to call attention to the fact that they would rather deny consumers the right to know whether their foods are genetically engineered or not (90% of their constituents want labels on GMOs), rather than standing up to Monsanto and the other Gene Giants: Syngenta, Dow, BASF, Dupont, and Bayer.
Is your US Representative one of Monsanto's Minions?
Representatives for Mountain Lakes, NJ...
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
5th term Democrat from New Jersey.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
2nd term Democrat from New Jersey. Appt. 1/2006.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ 11th District)
8th term Republican from New Jersey 11th District.
All three Oppose Labeling Genetically Modified Foods
These Congresspersons opposes consumers' right to know whether our foods contain genetically engineered ingredients.
They have never co-sponsored the bills that Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Senator Barbara Boxer have introduced to create needed regulations for the products of genetic engineering that are used in agriculture and food. These include crops, food ingredients, growth hormones and vaccines.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Don’t Forget Your Melon!

All Big, Basic and Fruit Bags are entitled to a watermelon from the bin just outside the door. They’re very yummy!!!
I love this kind of summer produce. I look forward to the summer fruits all year long. I made another contact at the farmer’s market last Sunday and we have another Jersey organic supplier in the works. We’re just working out delivery details.
We will not be having baskets July 13th and July 20th. If we need to take other weeks off, I will inform you by both email and this newsletter. A new doorway will be put in during those weeks connecting the garage to my back room. This is for easy access when we need to sort inside in very hot or very cold weather.
Monsanto's RoundUp "May Have Dire Consequences for Agriculture"
"Ignoring potential non-target detrimental side effects of any chemical, especially used as heavily as glyphosate (Monsanto's RoundUp herbicide), may have dire consequences for agriculture such as rendering soils infertile, crops non-productive, and plants less nutritious. To do so might well compromise not only agricultural sustainability, but also the health and well-being of animals and humans."
- Johal, G.S. and D.M. Huber. Glyphosate effects on diseases of plants. 2009. European Journal of Agronomy 31:144-152
Read More: 
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Co-op Vacation Dates

I finally have some vacation dates for you! We will not be having baskets July 13th and July 20th. If we need to take other weeks off, I will inform you by both email and this newsletter.
Exams end in a couple days and my son is SO ready for summer! I, of course am scrambling to put together my own vacations! I hope your’s are better planned out. I’ll enjoy getting away, but will miss everything here! I don’t know if I can leave my garden for 2 weeks!
California Proposes Use of Methyl Iodide, Known to Cause Cancer, Late-Term Miscarriages and Irreversible Brain Damage
In February 2010, a Scientific Review Committee commissioned by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) concluded that the use of methyl iodide in agriculture would endanger public health:
Susan Kegley, a consulting scientist for Pesticide Action Network, summed it up for the San Francisco Chronicle: "This stuff just kills everything," said Kegley, a chemist, who pointed out that even low doses have caused neurological damage and fetal death in laboratory animals. "It is a known carcinogen."
"We are likely to see a greater incidence of thyroid disease with use of this chemical," said Kegley, who wears double gloves and uses syringes, a fume hood and ventilation devices whenever she handles the chemical in the lab.
Despite scientist concerns, on April 30, 2010, California proposed using methyl iodide in agriculture.
Take Action by June 29: Call Governor Schwarzennegger & demand that methyl iodide not be approved: (916) 445-2841.
Take Action:
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

WooHoo! Summer!

The local vegetables have begun to arrive! New Jersey and Pennisylvania in June produce greens, peas and berries. So the rest is still from further away, but not as far away! Georgia and North Carolina are producing now too, instead of just California and Florida. We have a few New Jersey farmers lined up who provide delicious produce this season as soon as it's ready.
With exams next week and my son’s trip to the tropics around the corner, I need to know how to get a 16 year old boy to get a hair cut! I’m loving this weather!
Please read!
I Need Your Vacation Dates! 
Please send me your vacation dates by email or write it on your invoice! I have to charge you for missed baskets unless you notify me. I will be taking a week or 2 here or there this summer, and will update you when the co-op will take these weeks off. I spent a good part of this last week working out my vacations, and almost have it in order.
Genetically Modified Foods Cause Sterility
"We failed to get cubs from these pairs, which were fed with GM foodstuffs. It was proved that these pairs lost their ability to give birth to their cubs." Dr. Alexei Surov, a Russian biologist describing the results of a study of hamsters fed genetically modified soy for two years over three generations. By the third generation, most the hamsters lost the ability to have babies. The pups who were born suffered slower growth and a high mortality rate. Inexplicably, some grew fur inside their mouths.
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Summer Plans

Please read!
Please send me your vacation dates by email or write it on your invoice! You will be charged for missed baskets unless you notify me. I will be taking a week or 2 here or there this summer, and will update you when the co-op will take these weeks off. I spent a good part of this last week working out my vacations, and almost have it in order.
Slow Money...
Our Second National Gathering
Shelburne Farms, Vermont
June 9-11, 2010
A new way of connecting investors to local food systems, catalyzing new forms of social investing and philanthropy for the 21st century. Join the emerging network of investors, donors, entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists who are giving birth to the nurture capital industry.
Come to Shelburne Farms, a working farm and forest and National Historic Landmark -- a setting uniquely imbued with the history of capitalism and a nonprofit organization dedicated to forging a new future through sustainability education, creating social enterprises and strengthening local food systems. Enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Champlain. Meet thought leaders and change agents from around the country who are joining in this exciting project: designing capital markets that go beyond extraction and consumption all the way to preservation and restoration… starting with food and soil fertility.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Summer Dreaming

I’m getting the hang of my new computer system. It all takes a little extra time, making the new formats, getting used to the new ways the mouse behaves, etc. I’ll be upgrading the whole Co-op system this summer. I’m beginning to think about the summer schedule too. If any of you have any suggestions, please tell me. I’d like to take a few weeks off, but haven’t made any plans yet. 
It seems we are running short of bags these days. Please remember to bring them back! We don’t have enough boxes on a regular basis these days.
Monsanto, Haiti's “New Earthquake"
"A new earthquake" is what Haitian peasant farmer leader Chavannes Jean-Baptiste of the Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP) called the news that Monsanto will be dumping 60,000 seed sacks (475 tons) of hybrid corn seeds and vegetable seeds on Haiti, seeds doused with highly toxic fungicides such as thiram, known to be extremely dangerous to farm workers. Hybrid seeds, like GMO seeds (in contrast to Creole heirloom or organic seeds) require lots of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. In addition if a small farmer tries to save hybrid seeds after harvest, hybrid seeds usually do not "breed true" or grow very well in the second season, forcing the now-indentured peasant to buy seeds from Monsanto or one of the other hybrid/GMO seed monopolies in perpetuity. Monsanto wanted initially to dump GMO seeds on Haiti, but even the corrupt Haitian government knew that this would spark a rebellion, so Monsanto cleverly decided to dump hybrid seeds instead. The Haitian small farmers organization has committed to burning Monsanto's seeds, and has called for a march to protest the corporation's presence in Haiti on June 4, for World Environment Day.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

New Computer! Help!!

All the updated programs ARGG!! Everything is taking me 10 times longer!! This will be brief, but soon it will be beautiful! When I figure this stuff out!!!
Alert of the Week: Safeguard Organic Standards!
The National Organic Standards Board...
... Votes for Factory-Farmed "Organic" Poultry
As we reported in the last issue of Organic Bytes, the USDA National Organic Program is only loosely enforcing animal welfare rules that require organic poultry farms to allow their birds to have access to the outdoors and "exhibit their natural behaviors." This has resulted in a wide range of farms being certified organic; everything from lush green pastures where hens roam free, scratching in the compost and nibbling greens, to giant sheds with tens of thousands of grain-fed birds that never see the light of day.
At its April 2010 meeting, the National Organic Standards Board had an opportunity to reform organic chicken and egg production by outlawing a synthetic feed supplement called methionine that confinement poultry producers have used as a crutch to help them scale up and keep costs down.

Unfortunately, despite thousands of letters from organic consumers who understand the nutritional and environmental benefits of pasture-based organic systems and are concerned about animal welfare and synthetics in organic, the NOSB voted to keep methionine on the list of allowed synthetics.
Tell the USDA: Stop Factory-Farmed "Organic" Poultry! http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=13184481
Enjoy!
Marnie

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

May!

I’m not volunteering for anything now. I am looking SO forward to a little time in my garden!

Survey: Do You Support the Rights of Mother Earth?
During his presentation at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, President Evo Morales of Bolivia proposed a global referendum that would tackle the root causes of climate change. Below are the questions he proposed.
1. Do you agree with re-establishing harmony with nature while recognizing the rights of Mother Earth? YES or NO
2. Do you agree with changing this model of over-consumption and waste that the capitalist system represents? YES or NO
3. Do you agree that developed countries reduce and re-absorb their domestic greenhouse gas emissions so that the temperature does not rise more than 1 degree Celsius? YES or NO
4. Do you agree with transferring all that is spent in wars to protecting the planet and allocate a budget for climate change that is bigger than what is used for defense? YES or NO
5. Do you agree with a Climate Justice Tribunal to judge those who destroy Mother Earth? YES or NO
SURVEY: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/p/dia/action/public /?action_KEY=3171

May Calendar
4 Basic Basket Week
11 Big Basket Week
13 Deliciously Raw in the Spring – Food Preparations Class
18 Basic Basket Week
20 Montclair Environmental Movie Night – Dirt!
25 Big Basket Week
For more info: www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html

Enjoy!     Marnie

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Compost Talk

Wish me luck! Tomorrow is my term paper presentation to my class. I then have another on Saturday to the Municipal leaders in the area. My paper is on getting composting into municipalities. I’mprepared but very nervous non the less. I won’t write much here today. Enjoy your produce, and start composting if you don’t already!

Just so everyone is aware, if your bag size is too much or too little, you can change it. Just email me with your new preference. The bags work on a two week basis. The Big Bags are available every other week. The Basic Bag however are available every week. You can choose to:
switch back and forth each week;
just get a Big Bag every other week;
just get a Basic Bag every other week;
or get a Basic Bag every week.

Also, please don’t forget your invoice with your check or cash. It helps a lot with the bookkeeping.
Happy Arbor Day on Friday!!!

Enjoy!    
Marnie

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Aware Nest!

Finally the cold subsides. I always enjoy these 70° days weather they are in January, July or April. We have just spent two chilly weekends at lakeand river sides for the Mountain Lakes Crew Club. I am looking forward to a warm regatta!

Please notice the flyer in your basket for The AwareNest. One of our members, Regan Caton just launched this new site for local people to find green, local sources of goods, services and events. Check it out and list your green company there if you have one! www.TheAwareNest.com

Keep Nanotech Ingredients Out of Organic Food!
The USDA National Organic Program's advisory panel, the National Organic Standards Board, will be meeting in California at the end of this month. OCA political director Alexis Baden-Mayer will be presenting testimony at the meeting. It is essential that we back up OCA's position to ban nanotechnology from organic production with as many letters from OCA members as possible. This is a huge public health and environmental issue. Will the USDA permanently ban nanotech ingredients from organic food and products, or will they leave the door open to this new, dangerous, unregulated technology, with the power to literally change matter at the atomic or electron level?
Learn more: www.organicconsumers.org/nanotech.cfm
Action:
http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=13948781

Enjoy!    
Marnie

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Looking for Denville or Rockaway Host!

The Co-op is looking for a host for weekly Co-op pick-ups from their garage, within a mile of route 46 in Denville or Rockaway. It would need to be accessible to a number of members, like my garage is without disturbing the residents. There is minimal weekly managing. We pay you in weekly produce. If you are interested, please call me and we can discuss the details.

Cooking with sea vegetables - Food Preparations Class
April 15th, 12:00 pm
Many people think the idea of using vegetables from the sea is something strange and new. But in China, Japan and the Pacific, many varieties have part of the staple diet for thousands of years. High in minerals and protein and low in calories, sea vegetables have always been valued for their rejuvinating and purifying properties. Join us to learn about the different varieties of sea vegetables and how they can be combined with other whole foods to form the basis of a balanced diet.
Phyllis is a certified Holistic Health Counselor with over 20 years practicing in the field of nutrition. She is a coach, educator, and chef skilled in multiple food disciplines.
For more info: www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html

Montclair Environmental Movie Night: A Chemical Reaction
April 15th, 6:30 pm
For more info: www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Calendar.html

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

New Madison Branch

For all who live in the proximity of Madison – this is the first week for our new Madison Branch of the Co-op. Daria’s space is on Chapel Street, two blocks from Main Street, and she is a lovely woman. Please contact me if you are interested in picking up your produce from her garage.
FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com

Seed Exchange 
Its time to start your garden (indoors)! Bring your extra seeds and take some that are here!

Green Patriot and OCA Expose 1,4 Dioxane in Household Products
March 12, at a press conference held adjacent to the Natural Products Expo West, the Green Patriot Working Group (GPWG), led by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman, and the Organic Consumers Association announced that Procter and Gamble (P&G) and the Green Patriot have reached an agreement in principle that P&G will reformulate its top-selling Herbal Essences brand to reduce levels of the carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-dioxane. The press conference also announced new 1,4-dioxane test results for twenty laundry detergents, of which notably some of the most popular mainstream brands - including Dial, Church & Dwight Co. and Procter & Gamble - had the highest levels overall.
www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/PG-press-release-03-10.pdf