The news on the Non-GMO front is continuing to heat up as over 2 million people across the world marched against Monsanto on May 25th. As this battle continues to heat up more and more food suppliers are searching for ingredients that are GMO free. Companies like Whole Foods that are requiring their suppliers to ensure that their products are Non-GMO are also adding fuel to the fire. We feel this is great news as the corporations that stand behind the GM crops still haven’t been willing to do the research to demonstrate why their foods are exactly the same in the body as Non-GM foods, as they claim. That lack of transparency is what is driving people in record numbers to find out what’s actually in their food and moving us towards the requirement of labeling. This story from the NY Times helps us understand the challenges we still face while still moving forward…
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/business/food-companies-seeking-ingredients-that-arent-gene-altered.html?_r=2&
Author: Greg Koenig
SunRidge Farms at the Sweets and Snacks Show in Chicago
SunRidge Farms will be in booth 1085 for the Sweets and Snacks Show at McCormick Center in Chicago, 5/20-5/23. We’d love for you to stop by and see and sample our newest items. For more info on the show click here, http://www.sweetsandsnacks.com/
Organic Food Industry Gains Clout on Capitol Hill
Organic farming is rattling the entrenched agri-business community with a proposed amendment that would would allow the organic industry to organize and pay for a unified
industry promotional campaign called a “check-off” that is facilitated
by the Agriculture Department but is no cost to the government. These
promotional programs have traditionally been limited to individual
commodities or crops, producing familiar campaigns like “Got Milk?” and
“Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner.” This amendment passed committee even with comments like this:
“That’s one of the things that has caught me and raises my concerns,
is that industry’s lack of respect for traditional agriculture,” said
Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga. He was referring to some organic companies’
efforts to reduce the number of genetically modified crops in the
marketplace.
At the same time, Scott acknowledged that he and his wife buy organic foods.
For more on the story, click here – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/17/organic-food-industry_n_3291908.html
Some immediate GE crop assessment needs!
Food Safety News brings us this article regarding urgently needed assessments of some additional concerns with genetically engineered crops. The public’s help is needed to ensure that these assessments are accomplished by pushing our public officials to support independent research. See the latest here – http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/05/ge-crop-risk-assessment-challenges-an-overview/#.UYfXmoKzI7A
What’s killing the bees?
Honeybee’s are good. We know this since about 80% of our food supply is pollinated by bees. Honeybee’s are also dying at incredible rates each year; so much so that our food supply is at risk. The US Government has a take on the colony collapse that is happening and here’s their report, http://weather.yahoo.com/feds-many-causes-dramatic-bee-disappearance-152605922.html.
Simply put, regardless the reason for the decline in bee populations, we have to take this seriously and realize that if pollinators go away so do humans. All of need to be aware of our actions that contribute to the bee decline. One of those factors is GM (genetically modified) crops. How much of a factor seems to be under debate but, regardless, these crops have a negative impact on bee colonies. What is really difficult to fathom is why a company like Monsanto fears research? Recently we shared a story about a bee research company that had produced research implicating Monsanto’s products as a leading contributor to colony collapse disorder. What happened to that company and that research? It was bought by Monsanto! Coincidence?? We think not….
We are a lifestyle company that just happens to sell really good foods!
It’s April 2013 and late last year we celebrated 30 years of business. The staff here at SunRidge Farms did an amazing job of finding photographs and attaching captions and stories on a timeline that covered one of the walls of our building so those of us who hadn’t been part of the entire journey could ‘see’ the beginning and follow that to our current status. It truly tells a wonderful story and emphasized how we truly are a lifestyle company that produces excellent foods. Wouldn’t that make us a food company? Well, there is no doubt that foods play an important role in our existence but it’s so much more than that. From our very first trail mix, the goal has not been so much about the food but how to allow a food to benefit our lifestyle choices. A better trail mix led to many other products (over 1300 now) that has provided the opportunity to build a company that can positively impact the lives of others as well as our own team. Almost 40% of our energy needs are now accomplished via solar, our delivery trucks utilize biodiesel, and our recycling and other environmental efforts are top notch so we’ve reduced our carbon footprint dramatically. By practicing what we preach we hope to exist well into our children’s children lifetimes so that when they look at the next timeline on the wall they can be just as amazed as we are while still being able to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and enjoy foods free from contamination. We can all agree that that’s a lifestyle we all want and we know that many of the choices we’ve made can be accomplished by almost EVERY other company out there. These choices don’t always equate on a short term dollar and cents basis but reflect doing the right thing for the future. Those are choices that we hope will set an example for others to copy and expand upon. As always, we appreciate our customers and suppliers and the support we’ve been given throughout the years. If you are new to SunRidge Farms, give us a look see and try some of our items. It’s not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle.
New Leaf Community Markets will require GMO labeled products!
We were so excited to see another grocery retailer taking the steps to require their suppliers to label their products as to their GMO content. As the evidence mounts that GMO’s are a health concern we applaud efforts to limit our exposure to these ‘foods’. For more on this visit the New Leaf Community Markets website at http://www.newleaf.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&sid_store_news=300&storeID=J3QSSEQX5CS92J2000AKHMCCQJA05T39
April 21st is National Chocolate Covered Cashew Day
You heard correctly! April 21st is National Chocolate Covered Cashew Day. Good thing SunRidge Farms has you covered. You’ll want to visit your favorite retailer that is carrying our bulk products and look for item 022608 to find delicious Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews.
Make this the year you buy bulk foods. Let’s take care of the environment and save money by reducing packaging.
How to Shop for Food in Bulk
National Bulk Foods Week is October 13-19, 2013. Here’s a little more information on how to shop for bulk foods – http://www.yumsugar.com/How-Shop-Food-Bulk-29458772
What every parent should know about Monsanto!
We don’t need to say much here as it’s well presented in this editorial – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-nagy/what-every-parent-should-_b_3008452.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular,organic-food
