Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Great post!
"Thanks for spearheading the fight to label GM (GE) foods...
we need everyone on board for this big push!"
23 minutes ago · Like
June 8, 2011
9:39 am
MY LATEST PLANT YOUR DREAM POSTS
ON THIS ORGANIC SPIES ISSUE
ARE "ORGANIC SPIES" RALLYING TO DIVIDE
THE ORGANIC MOVEMENT?
EVENING OF JUNE 5, 2011
10:51 from the ORGANIC SPIES
SITE
ORGANIC SPIES SAYS
ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE
THIS COMMENT ON THE
ORGANIC SPIES FACEBOOK
HAS EITHER MISINFORMATION
OR DISINFORMATION
JUNE 5, 2011
Organic Spies Monsanto is arguably the most ruthless, criminal organization in the history of the world. We are only pointing out that most companies on the board of the OTA are customer's of monsanto, cargill and ADM's products, this is a fact, not an opinion. These board members are executives at companies that have product purchase order's from them and should be required to disclose that information when they run for the OTA board to members. In 2011 we will create a short documentary about uniting the organic movement and defunding monsanto !!!!!!!
LESLIE SAYS
This is only part accurate, very sad to say.
More in morning...going to bed,,,,
BETH BALDINO WRITES
TO ORGANIC SPIES
Beth Baldino says
to Organic Spies on their
FB page, June 5
"Perhaps you are referring to my inquiry earlier, which you haven't answered yet. I can't imagine I'm the only one. With all due respect, I'm all for truth, so can we please have some from you? And unlike some of your other commenters, I get that these big companies are selling GMO foods, not to mention have profited off selling foods with all kinds of unhealthy ingredients in them for many years because they were cheap, possibly because they were addictive (ie MSG). I think it's important to think critically about all this, and always question everything and everybody's motives and interests, so if that's what you're doing, I applaud you.
But I just want to be sure before we're all drawn into big infighting that the issues are clear here and we know where you are coming from on this and you are transparent on that. It is important because we are very vulnerable to some entity, and I'm not saying this is you, purposefully trying to break down the movement by making nebulous charges and confusing the issues and therefore distracting and weakening us over all. The fight to keep foods clean, maintain organic standards, and address the GMO threat is hard enough without us potentially trashing a huge faction in the movement that has shown from their actions (despite the conflicts you point out) that they are actually working on behalf of the cause. Let's not forget there are plenty of bigger bogey men/women we can be going after, including Monsanto and the sell-outs in our own government and FDA."
4 hours ago · 1 person
Beth, thanks for looking into this. It is easy to see this turning into a big infighting issue, and taking a whole of good people's time to clean up and explain. I am fnding it a distraction already for many other things I need to do, but I am concerned that good organic advocates such as Kelly Shea and Julia Sabin would be harmed by misinformation going out.
Some of the smaller organic companies are owned by the larger conglomerates. This is not to say that their OTA decisions
are influenced by their larger companies.
PHOTO OF KELLY SHEA
VP OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
AND ORGANIC STEWARDSHIP
WHITE WAVE
WITH JEFFREY SMITH OF THE
INSTITUTE OF RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY
Photo taken at the Natural Product Expo West
Anaheim California at the Organic Farming Research Foundation
luncheon 2010.
NOTE THAT THE PRIMARY SPONSOR FOR
THE OFRF at its March 10 luncheon was
Horizon Organic, one of the companies bonded
with White Wave. White Wave, according to its
FAQ is an independent subsidiary of Dean Foods.
Many of the smaller organic companies are now owned
by larger companies, that very well may have investments
in GMO foods, while the smaller companies are clearly invested
in NON GMO positions.
POINTS TO RESEARCH
These are points to research
and questions that I will seek to answer when I speak
to Kelly Shea, likely on June 7, 2011.
What is her relationship with Dean Foods?
Her relationship with being an advocate for
the Organic Agenda is clear from this video clip
I made with her at the OFRF luncheon of
March 10,2011
POINTS OF MISINFORMATION OR DISINFORMATION
IN THE OS DOCUDRAMA
IT says that, OTA has been foot dragging...
that its leadership does not want GE labeling
because it assumes some of its board members
have conflicts of interest.
Q AND A:
WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE
THAT OTA COULD HAVE GONE ANY FASTER
IN IT's EFFORTS TO FOSTER GMO LABELING?
The comments of one former board member
(who by the way is a man whose company
I also support...) is not enough for a case....
POINT #2
YES, or DEAR OS MONSANTO MISINFORMATION
ARTIST...
You have proven that two of the board members
have stock in their parent companies...
that is all that can be said...
This does not prove a conflict of interest.
Why not ask them where their alligience lies?
WHERE IS KELLY SHEA PASSIONATE ABOUT???
WATCH THIS VIDEO!!
JULIA SABIN AND RW KNUDSEN's
ORGANIC LINE
Julia Sabin...has first went to work for RW Knudsen's
line and helped make it organic....
I will check this out with her when we talk....
while
advocating for the organic agenda of the subsidiaries
that are organic that they work for....
submitted by James Townsend on Thu, 2011-02-24 17:19
Can we avoid GMO foods?
While the government decided we were better off being ignorant, advocates of natural and organic foods formed the Non-GMO Project, which sets standards such as third-party testing of foods to determine if they are non-GMO. More than 400 companies, including Whole Foods Markets, Seeds of Change, Nature’s Way and WhiteWave support the campaign financially and by labeling their own non-GMO-proven products with the Non-GMO seal.
Disinformation and misinformation to suggest
the OTA is not in favor of GMO labeling.
MANY OF THE SMALLER ORGANIC COMPANIES
TRUE TO THEIR ORGANIC MISSION
ARE SUBSIDIARIES OF LARGER COMPANIES
WHO MAY LIKELY DO COMMERCE IN GMO
These smaller companies apparently
function independently according to
the FAQ
Such is the stated FAQ FOR WHITE WAVE
HERE
COMMENTARY BY LESLIE GOLDMAN
YOUR ENCHANTED GARDENER
10:06 am
June 4, 2011
It does not take too much investigation to see
that in the business climate of today, many of our
favorite organic companies are now under the wings
of larger companies whose dedication is to do the best
for their stockholders.
The organic marketplace is a good investments.
These are among the fastest growing companies.
They want to be part of this success.
It is also not too big of a stretch to imagine
that VP's of the smaller companies-who are invested
in organics, VP's such as Julia Sabin and Kelly Shea,
would have investments and be offered stock in the larger companies
that own these subsidiaries.
I experience Julia Sabin and Kelly Shea, two of the OTA'S
Board members, as among the most dedicated bridge builders
for the organic agenda, taking the organic agenda
into places where it needs to go.
It is also clear that the Organic Trade Association (OTA),
the leading advocate for the organic agenda in Washington D.C.,
is a strong advocate for promoting the Non GMO
Pro labeling of Genetic Engineered Foods stance.
"The Organic Trade Association has called for a moratorium on the use of genetically engineered (GE) organisms in all agricultural production, and for mandatory labeling of GMO foods since 2000."
The OTA is not only on the bandwagon,
is it at the reins of Non GMO activity.
ORGANIC UPRISING SUPPORT FROM KELLY SHEA
COMMENTS I MADE ON THE ORGANIC SPIES
FB SITE
FYI, The non GMO shopping guide is a collaboration of jeffrey Smith's Institute for Responsible Technology and the Non-GMO Project. Jeffrey is one of the primary advocates of the Tipping Point to label and educate people about the problems of GMO Contamination and health hazards.
Non-GMO Shopping Guide http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com
posted
12:49 pm
June 4, 2011
Silk, part of White Wave, is one of the Top donors for this project. Kelly Shea, named in the video, is a major supporter for the Non-GMO project. I know this from personal experience.
White Wave, Silk, and Horizon Organic are all under the influence of Kelly Shea. She has been highly supportive of my efforts to launch my Spring Campaign, Standing up for Nature's Original Technology, each of us being an Organic Uprising.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEEN
WHITE WAVE AND DEAN FOODS
IS CLEARLY EXPRESSED ON THE
HORIZON ORGANIC SITE
Horizon is a brand within WhiteWave Foods, a leader in corporate citizenship. WhiteWave is dedicated to manufacturing innovative, authentic and nutritious branded food products through socially and environmentally responsible practices. WhiteWave Foods is a subsidiary of Dean Foods Company.
What is the relationship between WhiteWave Foods and Dean Foods?
WhiteWave Foods Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Foods. The company was established in 2004 when Dean Foods consolidated Horizon Organic, White Wave, Inc. and much of its Dean National Branded Group into one consumer packaged goods organization.
What is WhiteWave Foods’ Position On Genetic Engineering?
We understand that some people may have ethical or environmental reasons for avoiding genetically altered foods. At WhiteWave Foods, we believe that labeling foods with genetically altered ingredients is not a safety issue, * but rather an initiative to help consumers make informed choices.
[* NOTE: written here on June 6, at 5:40 am
I, Leslie Goldman, do believe that avoiding genetically altered foods
is a safety issue. Jeffrey Smith, who wrote Seeds of Deception
also believes this to be the case. The White Wave position
and the personal position of Kelly Shea, VP needs to be asked.
I can only say that Kelly Shea and Horizon Organic were
primary supporters of the Non GMO project at the Natural
Product Expo West, and that Kelly Shea was my main cheerleader
for the launch of Organic Uprising, Standing Up for Nature's Original
Technology at the NPEW. I also know for her personal passion
that is a devoted advocate of the organic agenda. to hear this in her
own words, please view this video I made with her
at the Organic Farming Research Foundation Luncheon March
10, 2011.
Also note that Horizon Organic, one of the primary companies
she works for, was one of, or the main supporter funding the
Organic Farming Research Foundation luncheon of March 10, 2011
at the Natural Product Expo West NPEW.}
WHAT DOES THE ORGANIC FARMING RESEARCH FOUNDATION
DO?
Mission Statement
of the Organic Farming Research Foundation
To foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic
farming systems by sponsoring research related to organic farming;
disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers
interested in adopting organic production systems; and educating
the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-0440
Location
303 Potrero Street, Suite 29-203, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-2759
Hours
(Please fill in office hours, if appropriate)
Phone
(831) 426-6606
Website http://www.ofrf.org
What is WhiteWave Foods’ Position On Organic Farming?
We believe that a corporation is most successful when it conducts business with an eye toward the greater good of society. Support for organic agriculture and small family farms is a key element of our responsible livelihood commitment.
Knudsen's parent company is The J.M. Smucker Co. Knudsen's marketing does not associate themselves with the parent company, although some packaging displays a small SQB marking. SQB denotes Smucker Quality Beverages, the internal unit of The J.M. Smucker Co. that includes Knudsen, Santa Cruz Organic, Natural Brew, and After the Fall. Most of Knudsen's marketing, product development, and manufacturing occurs at their headquarters in Chico, California.
Russell W. Knudsen founded the company from his California farm in 1961.[1]
added 12:20 pm
June 4, 2011
More to write...on this...
10:46 am
June 4, 2011
TO DO:
THE ORIGINALS OF THE NO LABEL
ARGUMENT
The origins of the idea that we would not label
GMO foods traces to the thinking of the engineers of the FDA
position who believe that conventional and GMO foods
are no different.
In my opinion, after watching the actions of Julia Sabin
for more than a decade, if there is any woman in business
today that could convert the heads of Smuckers to the organic
agenda, it would be her! I have always found her an advocate of the organic
movement and my own projects. Over the years, I have admired her generous contributions, both financial and in service, to the OTA.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) will honor Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) with its 2011 Public Servant Award next month. Brown, a first-term senator, will receive OTA’s highest award for a public servant during the Brattleboro, Vt.-based trade group’s 2011 Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days in Washington. OTA board president Julia Sabin and Tim Smucker, both of Orrville, Ohio-based Smucker Natural Foods, which has its headquarters in Brown’s district, will bestow the honor during conference sessions on April 6.
Describing Brown as “a true friend and supporter of the organic industry,” OTA executive director and CEO Christine Bushway added, “He and his staff have been more than willing to reach out to OTA about any legislation that would impact or present opportunities for the industry.”
Brown’s support played a pivotal role in OTA’s legislative successes during 2010, the organization said. Among his actions was sponsorship of the Organic Pilot Program, which was added to the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act by the Senate Agriculture Committee without opposition. The program authorizes $10 million for competitive grants for schools to incorporate organic foods in their meals. Brown and his staff also worked to ensure that organic interests were included in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. In particular, he included an amendment to the traceability and recordkeeping section of the bill to allow for food directly marketed from farmers to consumers, or to grocery stores and food labeled with the identity of the farm that produced it. The amendment additionally prevents FDA from requiring any farm to keep records beyond the first point of sale when the product leaves the farm, except when farms commingle product from various farms.
Brown was elected to the Senate in 2008 after serving 13 terms in the House of Representatives. He is chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Family Farms, and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.
Established in 2009, the Public Servant Award recognizes individuals in government who have displayed outstanding support for organic agriculture and trade. The award was first given to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in 2009. The 2010 recipient was Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.).
As someone that's been in the organic food business for 22+ years, I can say that this piece does have a few points that deserve consideration, though the general approach in focusing on a few board members and bending reality to fit a storyline is disingenuous. It is patently unfair to say the OTA and specifically some members of the board have intentionally obstructed efforts to ban or label GM Foods. Yes, some board members may now work for organic subsidiaries of big food companies, but most have been working for the organic divisions long before they were purchased by the parent companies. As to why there aren't more small organic farmers on the board? Running an organic farm, especially a small one is all consuming, and most simply don't have time for it. Secondly, in the reality of Washington DC today, special interests and lobbyists with big money are almost always going to win vs what's in the best interest of the general public. The OTA vs the Agro-chemical lobby is truly a David and Goliath situation - I don't know this for a fact, but I bet if you added up the entire operating budget of the OTA for the last 10 years, it'd still be a fraction of what Monsanto, Novartis, DuPont, ADM, Cargill, etc. have spent on lobbying in a year or two. The OTA has done a great job leveraging the meager resources it has. If you want to do something about the lack of progress on GM labeling and bans, contact your Senator and Congressperson, and insist they support banning / labeling GM AND campaign finance and lobbying reforms to prevent corporations and lobbyists from influencing legislation. Third - The farm bill is a perfect example of the above- it ladles out gobs of money subsidizing unhealthy foods and agricultural practices that contribute to obesity and all the other ills mentioned in the video. If corn, soy, and other commodities weren't so heavily subsidized and cheap, they wouldn't be in everything. At least the last farm bill had something for organic agriculture in it - largely due to the efforts of the OTA and the people you're targeting. Lastly, President Obama and Ag. Secretary Vilsack rolled over and approved GM alfalfa and sugar beets recently.... with friends like that, who needs enemies? In my opinion, the OTA and people on the board have done a lot to advance the cause of organic agriculture with minimal resources vs. unimaginable resources and influence from the agri-chemical lobby. If you want to help, write your legislators, and make a donation to the OTA.
THE KELLY SHEA I KNOW
In this video made on March 11, 2011, Kelly Shea of Horizon Organic is speaking at the Jeffrey Smith, Seeds of Deception session at The Natural Product Expo West. She mentions her own work with GMO advocacy over the years, and the support she was able to give Jeffrey Smith at headquarters at White Wave. When it was time for me to gain my national voice in Sustainable Agriculture, Kelly helped get me to the Organic Summit in Baltimore.
KELLY SHEA HELPED LAUNCH ORGANIC UPRISING AT NPEW 2011
Alert Webmaster
