VegFamily News

PenPoints June 2007

An explosion of congressional bills are being introduced that would potentially affect our food safety, our health freedom and our general welfare. With busy lifestyles it may seem all but impossible to keep the dishes clean let alone be on top of today's politics. Yet, at the same time, it is through our united voice supporting true health, true freedom, and conscious decision making that we may help secure a brighter future.

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With this in mind, we bring you PenPoints—a news, action, and activism column—to keep you abreast of a few current political topics. The hope is to spread awareness and get an ever increasing body of people to begin sharing their opinions with their senators and representatives. We will also share inspiring stories of companies and people that are supporting conscious choices and taking on a greater world view. Perhaps they use wind power and sell fair trade goods, perhaps they support small organic farmers—the specifics will vary slightly but each story will reflect positive change. It is important to let these companies and people know that we appreciate their efforts. In this way we focus on the hopeful as well as the challenges.

Lastly we will mention a book, a movie or some form of media that is eye opening or inspiring, making us more aware of global issues and reminding us that we are not in this alone, that there are many beautiful people bringing greater harmony into this world, each and every day!

We would love to hear from you as this column develops. Our aim is to unite in greater awareness and affect change at the grass roots level. We would love to hear your particular interests in this area and how we may better serve you in this way.

Alerts:

The FDA is considering introducing cloned foods into the American food supply. Worse yet, this very unnatural food may not be clearly marked and labeled for what it truly is. Support US Senator Barbara Mikulski's(D-MD) Senate Bill S.414, the Cloned Food Labeling Act, and U.S. House Representative Rosa DeLauro's (D-CT) identical bill, H.R. 992. These bills will help ensure proper labeling. Going a step further ask congress to keep clones out of our food chain!
The FDA is suggesting that irradiated food may not need to be labeled, instead being termed pasteurized. Not only is pasteurization distinctly different from irradiation, non-labeling has the potential to only increase the amount of irradiated food on our grocery store shelves. Irradiation does not get to the root cause of food poisoning. Tell congress that we want all irradiated food clearly labeled. In addition, let's get to the root cause of food-borne illness and clean up our food production system. Say no to factory farming!

And the good news...

Judge Charles Breyer, in the Federal Northern District of California, ruled that the USDA's approval of Monsanto's genetically modified alfalfa was illegal. In a ground breaking move the Judge declared that Monsanto must first provide a full Environmental Impact Statement on this controversial seed, before harming other non-gmo crops and the earth. Thank-you Judge Breyer!
Organic flowers are the fastest growing sector of the non-food organic market, growing 50% in 2005 to $16 million in sales, according to the Organic Trade Association. We have OrganicBouquet.com CEO Gerald Prolman to largely thank for this trend. Prolman went to great lengths to persuade farmers to go organic. His steadfastness has paid off. Perhaps give Prolman a call or better yet, order some flowers! 1-877-899-2468

Progressive Media
The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements by, Sandor Ellix Katz 378 pages, softcover, USA

This book is full of ideas that keep integrity in our food chain. Sandor discusses shopping more at farmer's markets, joining community supported agriculture initiatives and growing our own food, in addition to eight other ways to preserve our food's vitality and sustainability. It gives a real look at the crisis at hand while all the while leaving us with inspiration to bring change at a grass roots level. Click here to buy it now.

Penelope Sullivan holds a Bachelors in Holistic Nutrition and is a Certified Family Herbalist through the School of Natural Healing. She is currently completing their Master Herbalist course.

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