There is no more appropriate way to start off this Organic Link Love column than by introducing Debbie Stabenow, the esteemed Democratic Senator from Michigan and chair of the Agriculture Committee.

During the recent vote for GMO-labeling in the Senate Farm Bill, The Huffington Post quoted her as saying that “labels run counter to science and the public interest in healthy food.”

If you’re shaking your head after reading that one, you’re not alone.

It is one of the most absurd statements that I have ever heard…… but par for the course for politicians who are influenced by Monsanto’s lobbying machine.

In other GMO-related news, the Senate also refused to overturn the Monsanto Protection Act, and Connecticut passed a watered down GMO-labeling bill with so many provisions that it is essentially meaningless.

Interestingly, New York, my home state, is making real progress in its effort to push through a GMO-labeling bill.

Articles keep popping up about how the organic industry’s clout is growing in Washington, D.C., but it is clear that we still have a long way to go.  Read more »

After a brief hiatus, Organic Link Love is back!

Here are links to some of the most interesting and relevant organic food news stories over the past few weeks.

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Without a doubt, the biggest story in the organic world has been the approval of the Monsanto Protection Act by Congress, which was later signed by the President.

For the next six months, ag-biotech companies will have blanket approval when growing and commercializing very risky GMO-crops. Here are the 5 Terrifying Things about the Monsanto Protection Act.

Despite what President Obama said on the campaign trail in 2007, that he would label GMOs, he continues to betray the organic food industry one day after the next.

The Center for Food Safety has started a petition to help kill the Monsanto Protection Act (please e-sign it HERE), and the Organic Consumers Association has called for the resignation of Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) for writing this despicable piece of legislation.

If you want to know why our Senators refuse to implement food policy that accurately reflects the views, needs, and wants of the people that they are supposed to represent, read this excellent piece in the New York Times about why gun legislation failed. It is the exact same situation with GMOs. Read more »

I’m trying out a new Organic Link Love format this week. Please let me know in the comments below if you like this one or the old format.

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The Top 5 Organic Food Policy Stories that caught my eye this week were:

1) The EU asks its citizens for feedback as it relates to GMOs and organic food.

With 25,000 people in Berlin recently protesting against industrial agriculture, the government in Europe is taking food concerns very seriously.

2) There are now 13 states considering laws that would make it an Act of Terrorism to report on abuses at factory farms. An act of terrorism???

This just shows you how much power that Big Ag has in our country and how they will use any tactic possible to keep hidden from the American consumer as to how conventional food is produced.

If you are not familiar with the ridiculously inhumane treatment of animals that takes place on these factory farms, here is a YouTube video that shows you how just how abhorrent the situation is. (Warning: this video is very graphic and very disturbing). Read more »

In terms of organic food news over the past few weeks, the two major stories headlines have been (1) the release by the FDA of its genetically-engineered salmon Environmental Assessment and (2) the Monsanto Rider in the Farm Bill, both of which I recently wrote about.

Here are the other stories that caught my eye. Enjoy!!!

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QAI, a major organic certification agency, gives its organic forecast for 2023  –  Sustainable Food News

Hain Celestial closes its acquisition of BluePrint, a NYC-based pressed organic juice brand  –  Just Drinks

Washington State may be voting on GMO labeling this fall  –  The Spokesman Review

Whole Foods launches plant-based line of Engine2 Diet products from author and fireman Rip Esselstyn  –  Private Label Buyer

Major organic distributor UNFI acquires Pacific Organic Produce and its Purity Organic brand  –  The Packer

Money Manager: Big upside for those looking to invest in organic food stocks  –  The Motley Fool Read more »

Here are some of the most interesting and important organic food news stories from the past few weeks. Enjoy!!

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Good piece about how Dr. Oz got it wrong on organics – Mother Jones

Kenya bans the importation of GMO foods – Nation of Change

Students in Los Angeles help bring organic food into Inglewood’s food desert – NBC

Organic food distributor UNFI to open up a $32 million facility in Wisconsin – The Journal Times

Latinos in California start organic farms with help of new programs – The Huffington Post

Great food pictures from Matthew Kenney’s new raw vegan restaurant in Santa Monica, CA – LA Weekly

Walmart starts a monthly food subscription service/box, which includes organic food – The Journal Gazette Read more »

Without a question, the big news over the past few days was that Oprah Winfrey appears to be getting into the organic food business. This is a phenomenal development, and as soon as I have more details, I will be sure to pass them along to you.

In the meantime, here are some other interesting and important organic food news stories from this week. Enjoy!!

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A paleoclimatologist is the founder of an organic sauerkraut company – Mother Nature Network

The organic food industry’s response to Hurricane Sandy – Whole Foods Magazine

Beginning in 2013, organic certifiers must conduct residue tests on 5% of producers as per new USDA rules – The Grower

Organic food and beverage sales up 12.2% year-to-date – Food Navigator

10 grassroots lessons From Monsanto’s swift-boating of the Prop 37 campaign – The Huffington Post

New healthy and organic meal delivery services in New York City – Well + Good NYC Read more »

On Tuesday, we will finally know if California becomes the very first state in the country to have mandatory GMO-labeling when citizens in that state vote on Proposition 37.

Several weeks ago, we were winning in the polls but due to a barrage of non-stop, negative and misleading ads, we are now trailing by 10 percentage points. Let’s hope that these poll results are very inaccurate.

In the meantime, here are some of the most interesting and important organic food news stories over the past few weeks. Enjoy!!

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Organic supplier EcoMeal Organic giving away organic food to Hurricane Sandy victims in Brighton Beach, NYC – Sheepshead Bites

The top farm-to-table hotel restaurants in the world – Huffington Post

Aurora Organic dairy to aid first Russian organic milk development – Dairy Reporter

‘Food hubs’ offer an alternative distribution channel for organic and local food – Pioneer Press

Meet Nell Newman, the woman behind the Newman’s Own Organics label – Grist

Dr. Bronner’s contributes another $250,000 for Yes on 37 Campaign – Organic Consumers Association

New national organization publishes first food policy scorecard – Food Policy Action Blog

Read more »