GMO Update

by Shane Smith, Outreach Coordinator

We have the right to know what is in our food and  NH citizens have sent the message that they want GMO food to be labeled.  The petition, sponsored by State Rep. Maureen Mann and Rep. Ian Raymonds suggest that the majority of Americans want GMO food labeled now.

Illustration by Co-op designer Torin Judd

Since the campaign began in February NH citizens have added over 6,000 signatures to the campaign. Currently the Environment and Agriculture Committee has retained the bill, so it won't go to the Senate until the fall.  Thank you to all who signed the petition at the Co-op where we gathered well over 600 signatures for this bill.  Similar legislation just passed in the Vermont House. Across the country many such bills have been introduced to state legislatures and the issue is clearly picking up steam beyond just the normal "crunchy" channels. Although Prop 37 was narrowly defeated in California last November, the campaign forced Monsanto and the biotech giants to spend $45 million to defeat the measure. That's a record expenditure by the world's largest toxic pesticide companies to try to prevent consumers from knowing what they're buying. Remember: GMOs are the only products that consumers accidentally purchase without knowing what they're buying.

The Concord Food Co-op belongs to a group called the National Cooperative Grocers Association where we partner with  other Co-ops for increased buying power,  resource sharing and a bigger political voice than we could have by ourselves. In response to the GMO isue, NCGA had this response. "Last week, we sent a letter to all Co+op Deals partners reminding them of NCGA's work on the national level to fight the deregulation of GMOs and calling for the mandatory labeling of GMO foods. This letter also reinforced the importance of GMO labeling to our co-ops and their shoppers, and urged vendors to show leadership by supporting consumers' right to information to make informed purchase decisions. NCGA's category managers have been directed to require formal written responses, by April 1, from those industry partners that have been targets of the boycott in response to prop 37. Although we continue to believe that boycotts of companies whose parent organizations contribute to anti-labeling campaigns are ineffective due to the small percentage overall these brands represent of multi-nationals, we are vigorously leveraging our trade relationships to communicate the values of our co-ops and their shoppers. We will share a synopsis of the formal responses from the industry that we receive later next month."

  

Illustration by Co-op designer Brad Turgeon

Last week, Whole Foods announced all products sold at Whole Foods Market stores containing genetically modified organisms will clearly labeled within five years. This makes the company the first national grocery chain to set a deadline for what it terms “full GMO transparency.” Up to the 2018 deadline, Whole Foods says it will work in collaboration with its suppliers as they transition to sourcing non-GMO ingredients or to clearly labeling products with ingredients containing GMOs.

As a co-op, we are dedicated to meeting the needs of all of our customers. We support the right of consumers to make their own purchase decisions. We also support their right to accurate information to make those decisions. However, it would be impossible for our co-op to test every product available in the market for GMOs. We can't tell you which products do contain GMOs, we can only tell you which products do not (certified organic and non-GMO verified). The GMO labeling requirements is one of the most important consumer health legislation introduced in recent years.  The Concord Food Co-op will continue to advocate for full disclosure and to keep you informed throughout the legislative process. 

http://signon.org/sign/new-hampshire-wants-gmo?source=s.em.cp&r_by=6975197

Label GMOs in NH!

by Shane Smith, Outreach Coordinator

Please lend your support to NH State House sponsors of House Bill (HB 660-FN), Maureen Mann and Ian Raymond.  This bill would require labeling of genetically modified (GMO) food and agricultural commodities in NH.  There is currently an on-line petition and you can also sign the petition in the Co-op foyer until Monday night, February 11. The on-line petition link is here

As many of you know there was a huge amount of public support for Prop 37, a bill in the California that narrowly missed passing in the general election last fall that would have made it mandatory to label foods containing GMOs.  The decision of whether or not you have the right to know what’s in your food can help be decided right here in NH. Check out last year's "Right to Know" video.

Winter Farmers' Market at Cole Garden

by Shane Smith, Outreach Coordinator

It’s been another great year to be at Cole Garden for the Concord Winter Farmers' Market.  There is nothing better than to arrive at a sunny, warm greenhouse in the community where one can obtain excellent local food, listen to great music, and run into friends on a cold winter's day.  2012-2013 has seen a growing trend in the formation of winter farmers markets in the state.  This is really exciting.  According to the NH State Agriculture website there are over 30 winter markets in NH this year and over 90 farmers markets during the normal growing season.

All of the food at the market is either grown and/or processed by local producers. Last week I was able to get carrots, spinach, onions, potatoes, pork sausage, cilantro chutney, coffee, eggs and a Panini sandwich to boot.  Those was just the items on my list-there is so much more to choose from! You can check out the Cole Garden Website to see a complete list of all vendors who will be at the market on a given week.  The Co-op is selling Mac n’ Cheese, Panini sandwiches and chili at Cole’s Garden every other week starting Jan. 5 through March 30. 

 

I look forward to working with Chef Mike each time the Co-op is at the Market vending. We serve macaroni and cheese using local cheese and cream, Panini sandwiches using homemade pesto from the Celery Stick kitchen, Brookford Farm cheddar cheese, and chicken using Smart Chicken-the same line we use in the meat case at the store.  That is, the birds are certified humanely raised and processed, as well as raised without animal byproducts, antibiotics, or hormones.

Although vending is a blast  at Coles its always a treat to take a beak and do my own shopping and connect with other vendors at the market.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Check out the Coles Garden website for more details about vending and music here

Mac n' Cheese Bake-Off

by Shane Smith, Outreach Coordinator

The Granite State Dairy Promotion and New Hampshire dairy farmers hosted New Hampshire’s third annual Macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off held Jan. 19 at the Courtyard Marriott in Concord. Over 800 people showed up to cast their vote and make the attempt to visit all of the 28 contestants. Contestants included restaurants and individuals who entered dishes in one of four categories: best traditional, most creative exotic, best restaurant/café or best New Hampshire made. Contestants entering the New Hampshire Made category must use 100 percent New Hampshire-made milk and cheese in their dish. The Co-op has participated in the Bake-Off since its inception. 

Chef Mike with his 2013 trophies

For the last two years the Co-op has taken first place in the best restaurant category with Chef C’s Mac n Cheese (Chef Mike Cook’s creation).  Chef John has likewise entered every year in the exotic category and last year won third place. Their dishes often appear on the hot bar on Fridays at the store.  Although Chef Mike’s dish was entered into the Best Restaurant competition it could easily have also been entered into the Local Dairy category as well.  Chef Mike uses raw cheddar cheese from Brookford Farm in Canterbury and cream and milk from Bartlett Farm in Concord.  Chef John likewise used local ingredients with the addition of Ol’ Catywumpous Ale from White Birch Brewery in Hooksett for his Beer Mac. More than half of New Hampshire’s working dairy farms send milk to Cabot cheese-which also goes into both Chef Mike’s and Chef John’s dishes. Entries in all categories were judged on texture, taste and overall cheesiness

Granite State Dairy Promotion is a Non Profit 501(c)5 organization funded by New Hampshire dairy farmers. The Mission of Granite State Dairy Promotion (GSDP) is to increase the sale and use of milk and other dairy products through promotional activities, nutrition education, and to enhance the image of the dairy industry in New Hampshire.

Below is the Chronicle Episode about the Mac n Cheese Bake Off.  Chef Mike's gives away a few trade secrets as well.