Say Goodbye to Farmers Markets, CSAs, and Roadside Stands

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Say Goodbye to Farmers Markets, CSAs, and Roadside Stands

Posted by: Dr. Mercola
March 28 2009 | 64,693 views

U.S. "food safety" bills currently under consideration were written by Monsanto, Cargill, Tyson’s and ADM. All of them are associated with the opposite of food safety.

Organic food and a rebirth of farming have been winning -- not in absolute numbers, but in a growing shift by the public toward understanding the connection between their food and their health.

Farmers markets, local farmers, real milk, fresh eggs and vegetable stands threaten the corporations, which is why there are now massive "fake food safety" bills in Congress.

They set standards for "food safety" that are so grotesquely and inappropriately applied to local, independent farmers and ranchers that there is no way they can manage. Imagine a tiny business being faced with a 100-page IRS form and facing a million dollar a day penalty for a mistake; that would be similar to the impossible complexity facing small farmers.

The bills would require such a burdensome complexity of rules, inspections, licensing, fees, and penalties for each farmer who wishes to sell locally -- even a fruit stand at a farmers market -- that no one could manage it.

Sources:

Op Ed News March 3, 2009

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Increasing numbers of people are reverting back to the ways of our ancestors, choosing to purchase food directly from local farmers -- who generally apply organic farming practices -- and cooking it using slow, traditional methods.

Major food corporations like Monsanto and Tyson do not like this trend because they are in the business of mass food production, which relies on much newer and often dangerous techniques like genetic engineering, factory farming and widespread use of chemicals.

Well, similar to how Codex is slowly but surely shimmying into position to mandate the universal maximum “safe” level of every vitamin, mineral, supplement and herb -- and in so doing taking away your access to therapeutic dosages of supplements -- numerous food “safety” bills are also underway that threaten the very safety of food, along with those who grow it.

This has been going on for some time now.

How Food Quality is Being Threatened by U.S. Government and Big Business

When speaking of food safety, the giant food corporations and government are really one in the same. It’s sad to say, but industrial agriculture lobbyists wield incredible power in Congress.

Their relatively minor investments allow them to manipulate votes on key legislation that is highly favorable to their bottom line and almost always in conflict with your best interests. Some key rulings that have seriously undermined food quality?

• Just last year the U.S. government decided to allow food producers to irradiate fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce in order to kill organisms like E. coli and salmonella, but at the expense of nutrients.

• Federal regulation prohibits raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption in interstate commerce, despite the fact that they have proven health benefits.

• Small farmers often cannot afford the costly organic certification process required by the government. Yet, if they try to sell foods that are raised according to organic standards, but not certified as such, they can be fined or sent to jail.

• The food crops currently subsidized by the U.S. government are corn, wheat, soy and rice. Growing little else but corn and soy means we end up with a fast food diet. In essence, these commodity programs are subsidies for the creation of junk and fast food, not REAL food that could have a positive impact on public health.

Unfortunately, a handful of food “safety” bills that are in Congress’ hands right now, namely HR 875, HR 814, SR 425, and soon, HR 759, include similarly destructive plans that will only continue to further degrade the food supply, favor agribusiness, and make it more difficult for small farmers to compete.

How to Make Your Opinion Heard

If you’d like to speak out against these food “safety” bills, you can send a message to members of Congress or your local newspaper using this link.

There is another way your voice can be heard as well, and that is speaking with your wallet. Use your money to support the small farms, farmer’s markets, vegetable stands and food coops that are still growing food using wholesome, natural methods.

You can still find healthy food using the sources that follow, and you can also view this list for an expanded list of healthy food resources near you.

    1. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

    2. Farmers' Markets -- A national listing of farmers' markets.

    3. Local Harvest -- This Web site will help you find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.

    4. Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals -- The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, and hotels, and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

    5. Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) -- CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

    6. FoodRoutes -- The FoodRoutes “Find Good Food” map can help you connect with local farmers to find the freshest, tastiest food possible. On their interactive map, you can find a listing for local farmers, CSA's, and markets near you.