Organic Bytes Special Action Issue: Breaking the Chains

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Mon, 4 Apr 2005 10:59:45 -0700

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Organic Bytes Special Action Issue: Breaking the Chains

 

 

 

Organic Bytes #54 - Special ACTION Issue

4/4/2005

 

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http://www.organicconsumers.org/campaign.cfm

 

BREAKING THE CHAINS: BUYING LOCAL, ORGANIC & FAIR MADE

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is proud to announce the

launch of a new and ambitious global campaign called Breaking the

Chains: Buy Local, Organic, and Fair Made. Beginning Earth Day Week

(April 22- 29), OCA network volunteers will host hundreds of Earth Day

Week dinner potlucks across North America, where we will gather with

family and friends to share an organic meal, watch the new stimulating

and entertaining 15 minute DVD called The True Cost of Food, and talk

about how we can help " break the chains " of mindless and

self-destructive consumerism.

 

The quality and range of America's daily essentials is being dictated

and degraded by a powerful network of Brand Name Bullies and Big Box

chains. By " outsourcing " from sweatshops in the factories and fields,

by cutting corners on public health and the environment, and by

sucking up billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies, business

behemoths such as Wal-Mart have constructed a vast global shopping

mall of cheap goods and conveniences, reinforced by a non-stop, 24/7

glut of multi-media distractions. LEARN MORE:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm

 

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HOW CONSUMERS ARE CHANGING THE MARKETPLACE

Fortunately, health-minded and ethically responsible consumers are

rattling the chains of global corporate commerce. By patronizing

local, independently owned stores, coops, restaurants, and coffee

shops, and by shunning chain stores and socially irresponsible

companies and brands, more and more consumers are rewarding producers

and businesses that " do the right thing. " A good example of this

international marketplace insurgency is the $30 billion global organic

food market. At current rates of growth, most grocery store items in

the industrialized world will be organic within 20 years, providing a

solid livelihood for millions of small farmers around the world.

Certified Fair Trade products are another important growth sector,

with $500 million in annual sales. LEARN MORE:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm

 

 

 

WORKING TOGETHER TO BREAK THE CHAINS

The OCA believes that the next step in this greening and

re-localization of the global economy is to take a more visible public

stand. By working together, across communities and national borders,

we can leverage the enormous collective economic clout of the world's

organic and ethically conscious consumers. To move us along this road,

OCA invites you to participate in the launch of our Breaking the

Chains (BTC) campaign during Earth Day Week.

 

http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm

 

 

Host a " Breaking the Chains " House Party

During Earth Day Week, OCA invites you to join organic consumers

across North America April 22-29 in Breaking the Chains by hosting an

Earth Day organic dinner. At hundreds of potlucks and dinners, OCA

network members, friends, and family will dine on organic food and

drink, watch a powerful and humorous 15 minute DVD called the " True

Cost of Food " (suitable for viewing for both children and adults), and

share ideas on how we can spread the movement to " Buy Local, Organic,

and Fair Made. " For a donation of $25 (to cover expenses), OCA will

send you the " True Cost of Food " DVD, a free set of

conversation-stimulating Earth Dinner creativity cards by Douglas

Love, sample invitations to get people to attend your Earth Day

Dinner, and the OCA's Breaking the Chains Action Guide, with articles,

ideas, and resources. Please click here to order your Breaking the

Chains House Party packet: http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm

 

In September, Organic Harvest Month, OCA will organize another round

of House Parties and community events. Finally, starting November 25

(the day after Thanksgiving), OCA and our allies will organize a

series of Global Days of Action to kick-off Buy Local Month, which

will extend until New Year's Day 2006. During this period OCA will

attempt to get over one million consumers to sign our petition and

take the " Buy Local, Organic, and Fair Made " pledge, to boycott the

chains, and to align our values with our consumer dollars. Visit OCA's

Breaking the Chains action center for more ideas and resources:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm

 

 

 

Take the Pledge to Buy Local, Organic, & Fair Made!

Sign the OCA's Breaking the Chains petition/pledge. Our goal is for

one million people to join us in Breaking the Chains by December. Urge

your local businesses, community organizations, coffee houses,

environmental groups, and churches to do the same! Click here to sign

the BTC Pledge: http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm

 

We need your help to spread this campaign far and wide. Please forward

this email to every ethically concerned consumer in your address book.

Consumers of the world unite. We have nothing to lose but our chains!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION

6101 Cliff Estate Road

Little Marais, MN 55614

Phone: (218) 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652

 

 

 

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