FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2013     
CONTACT: Organic Consumers Association,
Katherine Paul, 207.653.3090; or Patrick Kerrigan, 218.220.922

FINLAND, Minn. – The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) today announced results of its search for the top Right to Know Grocers in North America. The winning food retailers were selected from more than 150 consumer nominations. The OCA named 12 overall winners €“ the €œDiligent Dozen€ – and 10 winners each in five regions: Northeast, Northwest, Central, Southeast and Southwest.

€œAs demand grows for organic, locally and sustainably grown, truthfully labeled non-GMO foods, hundreds of food retailers are rising to the occasion,€ said Ronnie Cummins, National Director. €œThe OCA wants to recognize the efforts these retailers are making, which include pressuring food manufacturers to transition from GMO to non-GMO ingredients, and providing consumers with clear labeling so they can make informed choices.€

The OCA launched its Top Right to Know Grocers contest, a project of its Organic Retail and Consumer Alliance (ORCA) Campaign in March. Consumers were asked to nominate health food and natural health stores, food co-ops and CSAs that are making an honest effort to inform consumers about products they carry that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and those stores that are actively working toward GMO-free product lines. More than 360 consumers nominated a total of 156 stores. The OCA interviewed store owners and managers to confirm strategies and policies. The results of those interviews are published on the ORCA campaign page.

The top 12 overall winners are: Berkshire Organics Market & Deli, Dalton, Mass.; Dad€™s Organic Market, Saskatoon, Sask.; Good Earth Natural Foods, Fairfax, Calif.; Jimbo€™s Naturally, San Diego, Calif.; MOM€™s Organic Market, Baltimore, Md. & Washington, D.C.; Native Sun Natural Foods, Jacksonville, Fla.; Natural Grocery Company, El Cerrito & Berkeley, Calif.; Nature€™s Food Patch Market & Cafe, Clearwater, Fla.;  Ocean Beach People€™s Organic Food Co-Op, San Diego, Calif.;  Sundance Natural Foods, Eugene, Ore.; Sunspot Natural Market, Kokomo and West Lafayette, Ind.; and Terra Organica, Bellingham, Wash.

The OCA is expanding the Top Right to Know Grocers project by providing an online hub where grocers can connect and share strategies for eliminating or labeling GMOs. The OCA is committed to growing the market for organics, and to advocating for truth and transparency in labeling.

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The Organic Consumers Fund is a 501(c)4 allied organization of the Organic Consumers Association, focused on grassroots lobbying and legislative action.