Note from the Founder: Taking Politics Personally

I’m taking a departure from my practice of devoting this column to explaining the application of permaculture principles on the farm to talk about something many people say is not dinner table conversation: politics.

Rather, I would like to make the case that politics indeed belong at the dinner table. By avoiding such conversations, instead of eating your ethics, you may be eating the residual effects of policies brought to you by food and agrochemical manufacturers whose chief concern is not your gastrointestinal health but their bottom line.

We can shop at the farmers market all day long, but if we don’t take action on political matters affecting the growth, processing, distribution, and marketing of our country’s food, then we are taking whatever scraps “big ag” is willing to throw our way.

It’s time for us to make space at the dinner table for some of the most critical food conversations of our time.

One of the latest stunts pulled by corporate lobby groups is to preemptively stop any more states or local groups from requiring that foods containing GMO ingredients are labeled as such. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) introduced the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (also called the “DARK Act”, as in keeping consumers in the dark!) of 2015 last week with lead co-sponsor Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). The bill would create a voluntary federal labeling standard, while pre-empting states from passing their own mandatory labeling laws for genetically modified — or GMO — foods.

Voluntary labeling ostensibly places the burden on producers and food processors NOT actually using the technology. Similarly, while farms NOT using chemical pesticides and fertilizers must go through an intensive organic certification process, operators using the substances are not required to clearly outline what is happening on their farms.

The overwhelming majority of the American public believes we have the right to know when there’s GMOs in our food, as shown by this ABCNews poll (93%) or this Associated Press – GfK poll this past December (66%). In light of the fact that most people want GMOs labelled, you would think that it would be a no-brainer for Congress to pass the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act introduced in the Senate earlier this month by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), and in the House by Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). Their bill would require labels for all foods produced using genetically engineered ingredients and prohibit manufacturers from labeling genetically modified foods as natural.

But until we call our Senators and demand that they support this legislation, our elected officials will likely vote in line with their biggest campaign contributors, whether or not they share their constituents’ values.

Go here to find your Senator’s contact info!

And speaking of voting, I’m headed to the polls right now. Election Day is finally here!

Don’t just vote with your fork, vote with your vote!

Rooted in Ferguson,