A Collaborative Initiative Working to Ensure the Sustained Availability of Non-GMO Options

Leading up to Non-GMO Month this October, the Non-GMO Project’s Facebook page will be hosting a non-GMO book club series with three leading authors on the topic.

In August, Robyn O’Brien will kick off the series with her book “The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It” (published by Random House May 2009 and now out in paperback). This is the story of how one brave mother, who left her job as a Wall Street analyst to stay home and raise four children, chose to expose the role that chemicals and GMOs in our food supply are having on the health of the American children. Her meticulously detailed book highlights the role that federal policy and financial incentives play in the toxicity of the US food supply, and Robyn’s work has been recognized by Ted Turner, Erin Brockovich, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Dr. Oz and others.

The Non-GMO Project staff selected this book for the critical information it contains AND for its page-turning readability. It’s a must-read for current and future parents, anyone working with children, and anyone interested in learning more about the unhealthy truth behind many aspects of the U.S. food supply, including GMOs.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BOOK CLUB:

1. Read the book! The first 25 people who registered for our event on Facebook have already been mailed free copies of “The Unhealthy Truth”. You can also click here to purchase online, or find “The Unhealthy Truth” at your local book store.
2. Between now and August 20th, Non-GMO Project Facebook users can use “The Unhealthy Truth” discussion tab on our Facebook page to start discussing the book and posting questions.
3. On August 20th at 11 am PDT, log in to “The Unhealthy Truth” discussion tab for an hour of live chat with author Robyn O’Brien. Robyn will answer your questions and respond to comments. It will be a fantastic opportunity to get more details straight from the source about some of the fascinating information in “The Unhealthy Truth.” Participants will also have a chance to learn more about Robyn’s AllergyKids Foundation.

The series will continue on September 20th with Jeffrey Smith and “Genetic Roulette,” and on October 20th with Andrew Kimbrell and “Your Right to Know: Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Your Food.” All book club events will be from 11 am PDT to 12 pm PDT. Please email outreach@nongmoproject.org with any questions.

Inspiring healthy eating and sustainable choices with hemp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR (July 7, 2010) — Living Harvest Foods announces a strategic partnership with the Non-GMO project, reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainable farming and healthy eating with hemp.

Launched in 2008, the Non GMO Project is a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, farmers and consumers in the North American organic and natural product industry. With a shared belief that everyone deserves an informed choice about whether to consume genetically modified products, Living Harvest is thrilled that consumers will now have even more information to make educated, good choices about what to eat.

Hans Fastre, CEO of Living Harvest Foods, explains, “Now more than ever, we feel an incredible responsibility to educate consumers about the goodness of hemp. Naturally prolific, non-GMO and pesticide-free, hemp is one of the most sustainable agricultural crops around; and until now, hemp has been largely misunderstood.”

While hemp food products are in growing demand by US consumers, hemp is still not yet legal to grow in the United States and has been widely misunderstood. Hemp has no drug value and has a long list of incredible attributes:
Why Hemp?
• ESSENTIAL NUTRITION: Hemp is one of the densest sources of nutrition and nearly two-thirds of its nutrients are essential.
• QUALITY, PROTEIN: Hemp is one of the best sources of quality, easily digestible plant-based protein. Hemp contains all 10 essential amino acids.
• GOOD FATS: Hemp is rich in Omega-6 and Omega-3, in the balanced 3:1 ratio nature intended. 92% of the fat content in Tempt™ Hempmilk is Omega Essential Fatty Acids.
• ALLERGEN FREE: Unlike soy, rice, almond, wheat and dairy, hemp has no known allergens.
• SUSTAINABLE: Hemp is grown without pesticides, does not deplete the soil of nutrients as many crops do, and requires little water to grow.

According to the USDA, in 2007, 91% of soy, 87% of cotton, and 73% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. As a result, it is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of products in the average U.S. grocery store.

In 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered proven safe. In the US, however, that is still not the case. Fortunately with hemp, GMO is a non-issue.

Dan Warner, Operations Director for Living Harvest Foods explains, “Our partnership with Canadian farmers is solidly grounded in sustainable farming practices. Fortunately hemp is naturally pest-resistant, hardy, and grows prolifically in a variety of climates and conditions. We are committed to responsible farming, no-till and quite honestly, doing the right thing.”

Living Harvest Foods believes that US farmers should be allowed to grow hemp and actively supports efforts to bring hemp farming back to the US. For more information on Living Harvest and Tempt products, call 888.690.3958 or visit livingharvest.com.

About Living Harvest Foods and Tempt™ products

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Living Harvest Foods is the global leader in hemp food products, including Tempt™ hemp milk, frozen dessert and protein powder. An early pioneer of industrial hemp farming and an active advocate of hemp legalization, Living Harvest is committed to bringing the goodness of hemp to everyone.

Sustainable, non-dairy and gluten-free, industrial hemp is packed with nutrients and rapidly gaining popularity as one of the most valuable sources of quality plant-based protein. It’s also a rich source of Omegas, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal alternative for vegetarians and anyone with allergies to soy and dairy.

Tempt™ products are available at over 4,000 leading natural foods and grocery stores nationwide. To learn more or to find a dealer, call 888.690.3958 or visit www.livingharvest.com.

Help change the future of food. The Non-GMO Project is seeking an energetic, detail-oriented, articulate and well-organized “people person” to fill our new Communications Manager position. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, processors, distributors, farmers, seed companies and consumers committed to providing North Americans with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO food and products.

In addition to providing support to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager partners with our Outreach Coordinator to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders toward implementing and expanding North America’s first consensus-based Standard, third-party Product Verification Program, and uniform Seal for products made following best practices of GMO avoidance. This is a position with fantastic opportunity for growth. The organization is just three years old, and has expanded phenomenally in the last year, with accomplishments including a commitment by Whole Foods Market to obtain “Non-GMO Project Verified” status for all of its private label products.

Communications Manager responsibilities include:

• Outreach to stakeholders in the natural products industry (retailers, manufacturers, etc.) via phone, email and at tradeshows, and tracking communications in the Project’s Client Relations Management (CRM) database
• Supporting Executive Director on a dynamic range of projects, including social media communications, event planning, coordination of meetings and travel, etc.
• Maintaining Upland, CA office
• Overseeing Administrative Intern(s)

Applicants should have a passion for sustainability and an understanding of the GMO issue. In addition to aligned values, applicants should have:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A strong sense of order and organization
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as a willingness to follow instructions
• Solid computer literacy, including experience with Microsoft Office and internet research; experience with Adobe Photoshop preferred
• Confidence, poise and enthusiasm
• A bachelor’s degree
• Experience in PR/Marketing preferred

The Non-GMO Project is based in Upland, CA. The Communications Manager will most likely have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of each week, but is also responsible for maintaining the Upland office and overseeing Administrative Interns at that location. This is an independent contractor position; hourly compensation starts at $15, with significant room for growth and potential to become a salaried employee.

Position begins Monday August 2nd. We will be accepting applications through July 22nd and interviewing the week of July 26th. To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to megan@nongmoproject.org. Serious applications only, please. Your cover letter needs to convince us that you care about the GMO issue and have the skills to help us change the future of food!

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marina McLachlan
Essenza Communications, Inc.
303-803-5711
marina@essenzacomm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Organic and Fair Trade Pioneer CHOICE ORGANIC TEAS Adds Non-GMO Project Verification to its Growing List of Distinctions

Seattle, WA (July 2010) — CHOICE ORGANIC TEAS, the first exclusively organic tea crafter in the United States and the first in the country to introduce Fair Trade Certified™ teas, is now also the first tea company to earn Non-GMO Project Verification. The company’s flagship product line, representing 29 teas, achieved the official verification and will carry the Non-GMO Project Verified seal.  They will also appear in the Non-GMO Project’s Shopping Guide on their website: tinyurl.com/nongmoproducts and in distributor online catalogues.

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization created by leaders in all sectors of the natural and organic products industry from the United States and Canada to offer consumers a consistent non-GMO choice for organic and natural products that are produced without genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technologies. It began as a collaborative effort among independent natural food retailers who wanted to ensure that their customers had an abundant selection of clearly labeled, independently verified non-GMO choices. The project verifies all types of products, including those (like tea) that are not yet produced commercially in GMO form. This allows shoppers to easily identify non-GMO items, and also helps reduce the likelihood of new GMO crops being commercialized. Further information about the project, including a complete list of participants can be found on their website at www.nongmoproject.org.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of yet another critical issue facing our industry and our customers,” said Ray Lacorte,” Head of Operations for Choice Organic Teas. “With the Non-GMO Project seal now added to our flagship line of products, we hope to further demonstrate to our customers the company’s commitment to producing safe, healthy high-quality teas.”

The Non-GMO Project will be recognizing Choice Organic Teas during the first ever Non-GMO Month this October. According to Executive Director Megan Westgate, “Consumer excitement is definitely growing as the Non-GMO Project seal appears on more and more products. It’s wonderful to have companies like Choice Organic Teas leading the way in providing shoppers with the information and non-GMO options they deserve.”

A brand of Granum, Inc. of Seattle, Choice Organic Teas made its debut in 1989. As North America’s #1 selling exclusively certified organic tea line, Choice Organic Teas has promoted the growth and development of organic agriculture in tea estates worldwide and offers more than seventy-five varieties of teas and herbal infusions available in teabags, tea pyramids, and loose leaf. In 2000, Choice Organic Teas became the first tea crafter in the United States to offer Fair Trade Certified™ tea. Visit www.choiceorganicteas.com for more information.