Toward Food Safety & Bio-Diversity: The Non-GMO Project

Toward Food Safety & Bio-Diversity: The Non-GMO Project 
by Harvest Market Natural Foods

With concerns on the rise about the health and environmental impacts of genetically engineered foods (GMOs), we thank everyone for celebrating Non-GMO Month with us in October.  Throughout the month, hundreds of natural grocers across the country hosted programs designed to raise consumer awareness, empower shoppers to confidently make Non-GMO choices, and protect the long-term availability of food and products that have not been genetically engineered.

Thanks to the generosity of our customers during our Register Round-Up Campaign to support the Non-GMO Project, Harvest Market matched donations and gave a total of $1,566 to this important cause. 

Unfortunately, misinformation about GMOs is common. Though plantings of GMO Crops reached all-time highs last year, with 93% of soybeans, 86% of corn, and 93% of the cotton planted in the United States genetically modified, the public knows little about them, their prevalence in our food, or how to avoid them. Further, the biotech companies who control this new technology have effectively prevented researchers from publishing studies on the potential risks of GMO consumption.  Wheat crops are currently approved for GMO production, and we expect the prevalence of GMO wheat to rise, unless citizens take action to protect our food supply from corporate interests.

Even without any science showing GMOs to be safe, genetically modified foods do not need to be labeled in North America.  And it is estimated that over 80 percent of conventional processed food contains genetically modified ingredients.  Presented with these concerns, a group of conscientious retailers put their heads together to create the Non-GMO Project.

The Non-GMO Project believes that you have a right to know what’s in your food, and a right to choose Non-GMO. To this end, they maintain North America’s only third-party standard for GMO avoidance. Since the Project’s inception, thousands of products have been verified to this rigorous standard, and many of your favorite foods may already bear the Non-GMO Project Verification Mark on their packaging.

This seal indicates that the ingredients and practices used in making your food have met a strict standard focused on traceability, segregation, and testing of high-GMO-risk ingredients (e.g. corn, soy, canola, sugar, etc.)  Keep an eye out for this trustworthy label while you shop for dinner, or your favorite snack.

At Harvest Market, we believe consumer choice to be of utmost importance.  The surest way for citizens to express our desires is to vote with our dollars.  Currently, Certified Organic products may not legally include any GMO ingredients.  By purchasing Organic, or purchasing products shelf-tagged “Non-GMO Project Verified,” consumers can convey the message to food producers that we demand accountability for safety and biodiversity in our food supply.

For a complete list of participating products, or for more information on GMOs, visit: http://www.nongmoproject.org

Again, sincere thanks for joining us in raising awareness about this crucial piece of the food puzzle.  Educated citizens really can make an impact.

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