In California, the opposition has started its big ad spend and it is having an impact.

The percentage of people who are opposing Proposition 37, the state’s GMO-labeling initiative, has grown from 23% to 40%. This was widely expected but it is discomforting nevertheless.

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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Biopharmaceutical GMOs to integrate vaccines, antibiotics, and antidepressants into crops – Natural Society

The Los Angeles Times comes out against Proposition 37 – LA Times

Only organics can feed the hungry world: here’s why – Truthout

Billionaire hedge fund manager Steven Cohen betting on organic food company Annie’s – Insider Monkey

The United States of GMOs – keeping us in the dark – Food Babe

Very interesting overview of the history and regulation of organic food in China – Chinadialogue

Organic, non-GMO food truck rolls into Michigan – MLIVE
Read more »

I just got back from the Natural Products Expo East trade show in Baltimore and am now putting together my Best of Show awards.

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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Brand new study links GM-maize and Roundup to premature death and cancer in animals – Sustainable Pulse

A hospital in Michigan is growing organic food in its $1M hydroponic greenhouse – Detroit Free Press

Food writer Mark Bittman on why GMOs should be labeled – The New York Times

Cancer Treatment Centers of America grows organic produce on its property for cancer patients – Phoenix New Times

Some cool things that the people in Comox Valley are doing for Organic Week in Canada – Canada.com

New organic restaurant in Miami Beach uses an iPad for its menu – Miami.com

The new farm-to-table dining movement in New York – Chronogram

Read more »

As you may already know, I regularly post an Organic Link Love column where I curate the most interesting and relevant organic food news stories from that week.

However, when I come across something exceptional, I’ll oftentimes dedicate an entire blog post to it.

One such story was in The New York Times the other day and was about about famed money manager Jeremy Grantham and his organic food mission.

In the food world, there is a David vs. Goliath war going on – Big Ag and the chemical industries have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to influence food policy and spread propaganda while organic remains a poorly represented and under-funded movement.

As a result, the U.S. does not label genetically-modified food (GMOs), politicians in Washington D.C. put corporate profits ahead of the healthy food needs of the citizens they represent, and many people are falsely led to believe that GMOs are the only way to feed the world. Read more »

As Proposition 37 continues to dominate the headlines (and I expect it will continue to do so over the next few months), here are some other interesting and important organic food news stories from the past week.

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Farmers Markets across the U.S. will soon accept food stamps – WCYB

Etihad, which serves organic food, heads the list of the top airlines for food quality – Cruise Mates

Giant Food’s new supermarket will serve as prototype for future outlets and has a much bigger emphasis on organic – Baltimore Sun

New raw organic restaurant and juice bar opens in Portland, Maine – Portland Press Herald

Trade group funded by Monsanto creates children’s book to convince kids that GMOs are good – Truthout
Read more »

A LOT has been happening in the organic food world. Here are some of the most interesting and relevant stories over the past week. Enjoy!

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Agribusinesses owning natural/organic brands betray customers: fund attack on GMO labeling proposal in California – The Cornucopia Institute

A county in Maryland tries to seize organic farm, convert it into soccer fields – The Connection

Interesting Q&A with Walter Robb, Co-CEO of Whole Foods – BusinessWeek

My friend The Food Babe investigates: Chipotle vs. Moe’s – 100 Days of Real Food

The labeling of organic food in China is a real mess – China Daily

The use of organic cosmetics on the rise as consumers hone in on long term benefits – Cosmetics Design
Read more »

Here is some organic reading pleasure for your Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

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Local organic farmers go online to sell directly to chefs – Bloomberg

Interesting story of how Cuba was forced into organic farming and eventually thrived – Tico Times

Healthy vending machines are the future of snack food – Forbes

Former McDonald’s honchos take on sustainable, organic cuisine – Wired

Surrogate mom strives for organic living – CNN

Profile of my friend Alberto Gonzalez, founder of GustOrganics, NYC’s first 100% certified restaurant – Sustainable Foods News

Where to drink organic wine in Paris – The New York Times
Read more »

After a brief hiatus, Organic Link Love is back. Here’s some organic food reading pleasure for your summer weekend. Enjoy!

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Russia is starting to regulate organic food production – Russia Beyond the Headlines

Blue Marble Ice Cream opens up a 100% certified organic plant in Brooklyn, NY – Carroll Gardens Patch

Contamination threatens Australian organic companies –  ABC Online

Has “organic” been oversized? – The New York Times

Organic Trade Association has selected Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm and Zea Sonnabend of CCOF to receive its Organic Leadership Awards for 2012 – MarketWatch

Hospitals choose local, organic food – Revmodo

Battle over genetically-engineered food in California heading to voters – Los Angeles Times
Read more »