Bhavani’s Interview on Life Out Loud

Last week, Bhavani was interviewed by Junie Moon on Life Out Loud! Click the link to listen to the show. Junie and Bhavani discussed connecting the dots between the foods we eat, our health, and the environment, a huge topic that effects everyone. We all play a part in shaping our world – we vote with our dollars every time we shop, and can do our part to help the environment, and our health, by choosing food that is grown organically, locally, and sustainably. Everything is connected, and it’s important to have conversations about these connections.  Bhavani is usually the one doing the interviewing, so this is a nice change! Be sure to listen to the talk here!

Vermont’s GMO Labeling Law is Here

July 1st has finally past and Vermont’s groundbreaking GMO labeling law is officially in effect! The law requires on-package labeling of genetically modified ingredients as of July 1st. Some companies such as Coca-Cola, are pulling less popular products from Vermont, rather than changing the labels. Other companies such as General Mills and Mars are going the other way and voluntarily labeling all products, nationwide. With this new labeling law, the future of the food industry is changing, but it’s still unclear which way it will go. Large food companies are still trying to push a horrible law through Congress that would ban state’s from individually requiring the labeling of GMOs and put a very vague federal standard into effect. Don’t be fooled by the companies that are voluntarily labeling nationwide – they are still lobbying for a weak federal standard rather than state by state laws. We are still celebrating the fact that tiny Vermont has won against corporate giants like Monsanto, but also know that a lot of work is still ahead. Now more than ever, we need to speak up for “on-label” mandatory labeling, so be sure to reach out to your elected officials.

San Francisco Bans Styrofoam

Last week, the city of San Francisco banned the sale of Styrofoam, effective  January 1, 2017. San Francisco and California in general are usually at the forefront of environmental solutions. Styrofoam doesn’t readily degrade, and cannot be recycled, making it a huge environmental problem. The food industry is notorious for using Styrofoam cups and food packaging, so starting in 2017, they will have to switch to a more environmentally friendly packaging. The ban is part of San Francisco’s zero-waste plan, which also includes water refilling stations and taxes on cigarettes to clean up cigarette butts off the sidewalk. Many other cities have also partially or fully banned Styrofoam packaging – we love to see cities being conscious and switching to better options!