Organic Technicality

Thank you everyone for your response to our ‘Organic Technicality’ survey. Overwhelmingly the response was Choice A – to no longer use the term organic. I read through your comments too and felt I should fill you in on what is happening. A few of us smalltime co-operatives have been handed notice from the National Organics Program (NOP) to stop using the term organic. I responded immediately by phoning them. They asked a few pointed questions and decided from my answers that we are closer to ‘handlers’ than ‘retailers’, which has a lot more restrictions. Retailers have much more leniency with use of the term, but it still seem like we cannot call ourselves organic without certification.

I spoke to the owner of another local organic co-op, and she proceeded to hire a very expensive lawyer. The latest with them is they have a verbal ok to continue as a ‘retail’ operation, though she is still waiting for the written letter. I hired a different lawyer, and we have sent in our response, arguing that we are retailers. We may also be considered retailers, but even retailers can’t use the term ‘organic’ in their name without being certified. The term ‘organic’ has a giant list of regulations behind it, which is part of what we love about organic foods. In some ways, this is just the NOP doing their job.

We are waiting now to hear the NOP’s response. They may have decided we aren’t worth the effort and we won’t hear from them. If we do, we won’t take it to court, and are just preparing for the next step. Our lawyer suggested I ask you all, which you would prefer. With about half the co-op responding, over 80% chose to not use ‘organic’, 6.5% wanted us to become certified, and 13% was happy either way. I have to say, I too would prefer not having to go through the hoop jumping involved with the certification process, though loosing organic in the name would have a negative marketing impact. I can’t help but feel their time could be better spent making sure the farms themselves are compliant.

Welcome all New Trial Baskets!

We have the highest number of Trial Baskets today ever! We had 15 last week and 18 this week! I am guessing it is because of the articles in the Daily Record Grassroots section on April 5th.

So with this, I’m particularly distressed that the strawberries did not come through today. We will make it up to everyone in two weeks with an extra pint of strawberries. Trial baskets are welcome to come on 5/8 for their berries as well.

Meet the Farmer

If you are interested in raw milk; soy-free, grass-fed, pasture-raised, organic meats and dairy; and fermented foods and drinks, please some out to Madison, NJ this Saturday, April 28th to meet a wonderful Amish farmer and sample some of his delicious products.  The farmer will arrive around 7:15 a.m. He is a wonderful farmer who is part of the C.A.R.E. and Weston A. Price organizations.  Please e-mail ban5143@yahoo.com or call 973-520-8614 for more information.  Hope to see you there!

Enjoy!

Marnie

No baskets on the 27th

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy New Year!

Enjoy!

Marnie

No baskets on the 27th

That’s in two weeks. 

More purchasing power on the website

I have started to put the refrigerator items on the website for one time and repeating orders. If you purchase through the website, you can choose the regularity of it – one time, weekly, biweekly, and monthly. If your creditcard has been charged for it, the sticker on your basket will state what items have been paid for. If you have any trouble, please call me for assistance.

This also opens up Dairy and meat purchasing capabilities to the outer pickup sites. Please be aware the items will be in a cooler with ice blocks waiting for you at the site. They are left there between 1 and 3 pm, so the sooner your pick up the better.

Christmas presents from a local green store!

Check out : http://transitioningtogreen.greenhome.com/

Enjoy the Season!

Marnie

The Holiday Season

Is in full swing! I got my tree and started decorating. I have my Christmas cards and will send them out later this week. The best party of the year was this last weekend. I DO have good friends. I’m going to try to not shop in stores this year. All the presents I give will be bought online and delivered. Everything I give will also be related to food or gardening. I have no plans to get stressed out this season!

No milk available this week at all! I guess we all used so much over Thanksgiving or the stores have bought it all up for the Holidays.

We won’t be having baskets on the 27th, that’s a Basic week. I was going to go to Florida, but we are not sure these days. We may just go to the Catskills for a pretty white holiday. The road through there is still washed out from Irene. They say it’ll be finished in February. My last paper will be finished on December 19th. I will then have a Masters degree! WooHoo!!

Enjoy the Season!

Marnie

Thank you OCA and to everyone who supported OCA in 2011!

Everyone who donated, everyone who volunteered, everyone who took the time to take action!

You made it possible to continue the transition to an organic future by fighting back against the biotech bullies and their government lackeys, by supporting state and federal legislative reforms, building local chapters, holding nationwide protests, and putting pressure on the corporations who control the food supply.

In 2012, we are going to have to fight even harder, but the rewards will be much greater. With the 2012 California ballot initiative, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto with the skull and crossbones they fear so much--mandatory labels on genetically engineered food.

If we can win in California in November, we'll be so close to an organic future, we'll be able to hear her breathing!

Organic Consumer’s Association is our lobbying representatives in Washington. To find out more about them and help support their efforts go to: www.organicconsumers.org/donations.cfm

Enjoy! Marnie

HappyThanksgiving!

Ideas for the Holidays

Skip (some of) the meat. Raising conventional livestock requires large amounts of fuel, pesticides and fertilizers, making the process a major contributor to greenhouse gases. You don’t have to make your holiday meal vegetarian, but maybe make ones that feature smaller amounts of meat as a seasoning. 

Drink local. Consider getting wine from a local, organic winery, with less pesticide intensive methods. The Hudson Valley is getting quite a reputation! Or, support our nation’s growing craft brewing industry by picking up beer from a local brewery.

Dust off the china and glasses. One of the biggest generators of waste at holiday parties is the use of disposable cups and silverware. Though it’s easier to throw everything away, you’ll find that with a couple volunteers to help wash dishes or load the dishwasher, everything will be rinsed and dried in no time flat. 

Organize the leftovers. Once the meal is finished, encourage guests to dispose of their scraps in a compost collection. Leftover should be packed or frozen and used for future meals. If there is too much for you to handle, the food should be redistributed for guests to take home. It’s a great way to reuse the take-out Chinese food containers.

Give gifts that grow and inspire. Consider spreading the magic of real food culture through a hands-on cheesemaking kit or a homebrewing kit. Or share your favorite cookbook of culinary fundamentals. A seasonal produce calendar can be a fun reminder of what to anticipate next year at the farmers markets. Seed packets are a cheap and creative way to help develop a green thumb. 

Use wrapping “paper” that lasts. Try using reusable tote bags or light scarves. Reuse old maps, the comic pages from newspapers, and sheet music. If you do have a heap of discarded wrapping paper at the end of the night, be sure to recycle it, along with any cans and bottles.

Enjoy! Marnie