Corporate Organixxx

Earth-friendly organic cotton bath & baby products are being sold at Wal-mart stores along the United States and Canadian East Coasts. They are harbingers of a new generation of organic-conscious consumer products sold by big box corporations in America. While the popularity of organic products is encouraging, not everyone is happy with their sudden transition into the world of mass consumption. Especially when corporate entities are engaged in behaviors that would appear to exclude them from participation in organic trade. An overwhelming amount of large-scale producers do not consider what is good for communities or the environment in their long-range decisions. The evolution and history of organic good production is directly correlated with local trade support and concern about the condition of land, crop, and creature. Neither of these goals set the bottom line for big box business. Instead, these companies are all motivated by "mandatory" monetary gains. They also routinely contradict what is advertised or professed in their company mottos by their actual endeavors. This is evidenced by the victory of certain corporate lobbyists when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would no longer monitor organic label claims on "non-food" items including pet food, cosmetics, seafood and fertilizers.

Just over a decade ago, doubters predicted organic products-which at that time were expensive to mass produce, and available only in limited areas-would be a passing fad for the wealthy. However, organic product consumption was influenced more by ethical and educational factors. During a period of ten years, organic products received a 20% increase in market sales, causing big business to sit up and take notice. In fact, corporations make the majority of the popular, low priced organic foods on the market. Examples include Seeds of Change, which is owned by M&M Mars Corporation, and Rice Dream, whose ownership, following a long line of shareholders and owners, ultimately belongs to Citigroup.

America started its own struggle to establish organic food certification and protection in 2002, when USDA organic standards were implemented. This is now being challenged, as the USDA is allowing numerous synthetic food additives and processing aids to be used in organic products without public review. The change is due to an amendment of the 2006 Agricultural Appropriations Bill in response to pressure from large-scale food manufacturers. The amendment will also allow for the "emergency" use of non-organic ingredients. In addition, there is still inadequate funding to support organic product research and development. In order to change the current less than one-percent allocation of our agricultural budget to organic research, citizens should share their concerns with congressional representatives. Provisions must be made for increasing the funding of organic products on the 2007 Farm Bill, as the study of organics should be proportionate with market demand.

Stores such as Meijer, which sell some locally grown food products, were the first to attempt selling organics in a big box environment. These products were expensive, but typically lower priced than at a natural food store. Oddly, big box businesses have a hard time figuring out what to do with organic food-does it get its own section, or should it be interspersed with other foods of the same name? While they do not necessarily have the organic niche figured out, a person can walk into any big box grocery store in the country and find organic products somewhere on their shelves.

The prices of organically grown food in big box business have steadily gone down while the prices of others, such as local farmers, have remained consistent-the result of routine big box business practices. Larger companies purchase from a supplier that can provide both an organically certified product and a cheaper, popular brand alternative. For example, Kellogg owns Kashi, so the company markets both brands of breakfast cereals in order to sell to the largest possible consumer base.

The growth in popularity of organic foods has precipitated the interest of fast food restaurants. In parts of Canada and America, people can purchase cups of Newman's Own brand of fair trade coffee with their meals. In this way, McDonalds hopes to capture some of the organically conscious consumer market. However, Rebecca Kneen, co-owner of a certified organic farm and microbrewery in Canada called Crannog Ales, pointed out, "This is a tiny action in a company that pollutes massively, has obscene hiring practices and labor relations, and devalues food."

There are reasons to hesitate before applauding the growth of America's organic food industry. First, the interest of corporations in this market means losses, both now and in the future, for local farmers and local retail outlets. In some places, organic stores may find themselves struggling to remain competitive. Food cooperatives such as Oryana or the Grain Train, staples to our community, could be forced to close with enough competition from big box stores. It's a difficult concept to picture, but keep in mind the goal of corporate business is to control all revenue relating to the product areas in which there are investments. This means the livelihood of local organic farming is indeed threatened.

Even businesses such as Stonyfield Farm are a potential danger to local farmers. All of the goods they produce are organic, such as milk and yogurt. However, they are not local, so the money spent on their food does not stay in the community. Stonyfield has received criticism from their peers, who see little value in mass production and shipment. For many organic farmers, their work includes the growth and sustainability of their own community. It is this attitude that encourages farmers to continue their craft, at a time when little else can compensate for such a career.

"It's better to have a more local product and support a local manufacturer than to create the industrialization of organic farming," says Sandy Ware of Ware Farm in Bear Lake. The Wares are established organic farmers, whose strawberry and asparagus products are sold through many different channels. They are like many local farmers-utilizing all aspects of income that seem valuable. Their product can be hand picked, bought at a market, or purchased in a pie. As farmers, they work with Food For Thought and Eden Foods, and distribute their goods to restaurants. People can also order their products through a community distribution program, by paying membership fees in exchange for the delivery of fresh food.

There are ways to fight corporate ownership of organic products, and the most effective is to monitor purchases. Those who are curious about corporate organic products should consult whistleblower websites, such as www.corporganics.org. In addition, encourage your organic retailer to buy local goods, or substitute certain products owned by corporations for similar ones. In the summer, Traverse City's downtown outdoor farm market brings in crowds, and the local farmers produce enough food to keep the entire city awash in fresh goods. Those who struggle with poverty also enjoy organic goods, and organizations such as the Father Fred Foundation encourage organic food donations. Perhaps the strongest aspect of the organic food movement is the knowledge that communities can sustain themselves, without the need for mass-produced commodities.

Thanks to a lawsuit filed by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and a leading organic body care company, along with nationwide grassroots pressure, the USDA agreed on August 23,2005 to allow certification of qualifying organic body care products, pet foods, and nutritional supplements. The OCA is now fighting to reverse the recent changes to organic standards. Plug in at: www.organicconsumers.org

Written By Faye Hoxie

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