Essays by Ronnie Cummins

Organic Consumers Association Statement on Starbucks Participation in Grocery Manufacturers Association’s GMO Labeling Lawsuit against Vermont

Press Release

November 25, 2014

Organic Consumers Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2014... Read more

All out for November 4: Frankenfoods Fight at the Crossroads

Essay

October 29, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Ronnie Cummins

On November 4, final votes will be tallied in two hard-fought and highly publicized state mandatory GMO food labeling ballot initiatives: Measure 92 in Oregon and Initiative 105 in Colorado. Read more

Organic and Local: Still the Gold Standard

Essay

October 9, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Ronnie Cummins

The fact is, none of these labels””local, natural or non-GMO””on its own provides a guarantee that the food behind the label is either healthy, sustainable or natural. There is only one food label that provides that guarantee: USDA Organic. Read more

Why We Shut Down the USDA Organic Meeting and Why We Would Do It Again

Essay

October 1, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Ronnie Cummins

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is the one place in our regulatory system that retains a shred of democracy, where, if the consumer demand is strong enough, the will of the people can actually trump corporate interests and influence... Read more

Made in the Shade: Six Reasons to Choose Organic, Shade-Grown, Fair Trade Coffee

Essay

October 1, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Ronnie Cummins

Consumers are getting wiser””and choosier””about which coffee brands they buy. A recent trend in ethical consumerism has seen coffee-lovers voting with their dollars. And what they're voting for are organic, shade-grown and fair trade beans””for a... Read more

What’s Holding Back the Organic Revolution?

Essay

August 20, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Ronnie Cummins

There is growing alarm among conscious consumers and activists that our 21st Century food and farming system, and the government-corporate cabal that that props it up, is spiraling out-of-control. Read more

How Industrial Ag is Making the Soil--and Us--Unhealthy

Essay

September 9, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Hanna Bewsey and Katherine Paul

Old tractor in field

Photo Credit: Law H8r via Compfight cc

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Not anymore, unless the apple comes from a tree grown in healthy, organic soil.

Food forms the building blocks of our bodies and health. Soil forms the basis for healthy food. Unhealthy soil grows poor quality food. And poor quality food means poor health. And our soil has been under assault since the advent of modern industrial agriculture, with its monocrops, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides.

NOSB Meeting Report: Big Food Pushes for Weaker Organic Standards; Consumers Win on Antibiotics

Essay

May 7, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Alexis Baden-Mayer and Ronnie Cummins

Last week, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) disrupted the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting to protest a move by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) that makes it more difficult for the NOSB to phase out synthetic and non-organic materials from organic food. We did persuade the NOSB to enforce its Oct. 21, 2014, deadline for ending the use of streptomycin on organic apples and pears.

Organic Consumers Association Joins Coalition of 80+ Groups against King Amendment

Press Release

Organic Consumers Association

FINLAND, Minn. - (Sept. 24, 2013) ”“ The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) http://organicconsumers.org/ has joined a broad coalition of more than 80 groups that have jointly signed a letter http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_28365...

Regenerative Agriculture: Sowing Health, Sustainability and Climate Stability

Essay

August 5, 2014

Organic Consumers Association by Katherine Paul

According to Alan Savory, agriculture is the foundation of civilization and of any stable economy, but is also, when poorly practiced, the most destructive industry.