Full Speed Ahead for Food Movement, Despite GMO-Labeling Loss

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:


Full Speed Ahead for Food Movement, Despite GMO-Labeling Loss
Although a ballot initiative to label foods containing genetically modified organisms failed in California, the organizers behind the measure say their movement is better organized and larger than ever before.

by Cecilia Garza, James Trimarco
posted Nov 08, 2012


Supporters of California’s Proposition 37 are not giving up the fight after Tuesday’s rejection. In fact, they’re saying that the organizing around the initiative helped forge a diffuse group of individuals interested in healthy food into a powerful, organized movement.

“The Organic Consumers Association is a million strong," said Ronnie Cummins, the founder and director of that group said on a conference call on November 7. "We have 5 million people on our email list and we’re looking forward to continuing this battle.”

Proposition 37 would have required the labeling of foods that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and banned the use of the word “natural” to market products that contain GMOs. While the initiative won urban coastal counties such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, it lost in the state’s central valleys.

“We just didn't have the funds to compete on the air” in those regions, said Stacy Malkan, media director at California Right to Know. “Many of those voters were getting their news from TV and we couldn't compete with them.” ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/full-speed-ahead-food-movement-despite-california-gmo-labeling-loss