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Vermont has raised more than $300,000 in private donations since May to help defend its GMO labeling law in federal court.

SumOfUs, a nonprofit issue advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., made the largest donation – $78,000 – to a defense fund to help the state pay its legal bills.

National trade groups this summer sued the state, saying the law requiring food manufacturers and retailers to label certain products containing genetically engineered ingredients starting in 2016 is unconstitutional. Attorney General Bill Sorrell last month asked the court to throw out the case.

The state has received more than 1,000 private donations to defend its labeling law, Act 120, according to the state Department of Finance and Management. State officials estimate it could cost as much as $8 million to defend the law.   

Vermont has raised more than $300,000 in private donations since May to help defend its GMO labeling law in federal court.

SumOfUs, a nonprofit issue advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., made the largest donation – $78,000 – to a defense fund to help the state pay its legal bills.

National trade groups this summer sued the state, saying the law requiring food manufacturers and retailers to label certain products containing genetically engineered ingredients starting in 2016 is unconstitutional. Attorney General Bill Sorrell last month asked the court to throw out the case.

The state has received more than 1,000 private donations to defend its labeling law, Act 120, according to the state Department of Finance and Management. State officials estimate it could cost as much as $8 million to defend the law.   

The Colorado-based Mexican restaurant chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., donated $50,000 last week. The Vermont ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s also donated $5,000 through the sale of “Food Fight Fudge Brownie” ice cream.

Private individuals and advocacy groups want to help Vermont defend what could be the nation’s first GMO labeling law. Other high profile donors include liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org and the private foundation Ceres Trust – each donated about $50,000.

Vermonters have donated about $16,000 to date, approximately 5 percent of the total amount.

SumOfUs has more than 5 million members worldwide and is seeking up to 50,000 donors to support Vermont’s labeling law. The donations range up to $500 or more, and the group has received more than 22,000 donations, according to its website. The group also supports a host of other causes, including environmental, labor and animal rights issues.

Two consumer advocacy groups, the Center for Food Safety and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, have asked for permission to join the state in its defense of the law in federal court. The Grocery Manufacturers Association and other trade groups in the case asked the court to reject this motion. Vermont does not oppose the advocacy groups’ motion to intervene in the case.