Re:OT:ownership link (Was Crumbles)*big Corporations

[Guest guest]

     I had not realized this, that so many " big companies " had bought out so

many of the

smaller, previously independent organic food producers.  Figures!  When I saw

the

link with the " flow charts " and such, it amazed me at the scope...and then

seeing the

aquisition dates, I thought, " Ah-HAH! --Probably co-incides with the USDA taking

over

(I had suspected it would come to no good!) the " organic " label and co-opting

the sole

right to determine what the " standards " were for the use of that label. 

 

     Sure enough, at the bottom of one of the charts, it SAID that the dates of

aquisition

roughly coincide with the USDA's stepping in and taking over the certification

process

for all products labeled " organic " and the companies that produce those foods

and

products.  GRRRRRRR!!!

 

     I think the most frustrating aspect of seeing this scenario is that, here

in the middle

of the midwest, there are almost NO options for finding " local " organic

foods. Almost

none!  I don't have the freedom or the facilities to do organic gardening, even,

and I have

been a regular customer during the growing season at our local farmer's market. 

Be-

cause the mindset around this area is so strongly bent toward the use of

chemicals in

all types of farming, even the vegetable farmers who vend locally are almost

NEVER

" organic " in their methods. 

 

      It's depressing, because small organic (local) farms mean much more than

just food.

They have to do with viable economy, sustainable, earth-friendly farming

practices, keeping

our water supply safe, and preserving the valuable topsoil...and better

treatment of animals, even when the mindset is not strictly

vegetarian...Mass-produced and " big-industry " practices are nearly always bad

for both humans and animals.  But with the " buyouts " so

pervasive, what can a person do when other options are so limited?  This is

frustrating!

 

     --Laura B., in Illinois (where the nearest " organic " food source is

sometimes 2 hours away at a (big corporation) Whole Foods!)