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

- Red’s 100% All Natural frozen burritos is one step closer to earning the coveted Non-GMO Project Verified seal -

Fairfield, Conn. – Red’s 100% All Natural might be a newcomer to the burrito arena, but it’s certainly ahead of the game when it comes to high quality, all natural food. The Connecticut-based company wasted no time standing behind its name when it announced its enrollment in the Non-GMO Project Verification process. The Project, a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, farmers, seed companies, and consumers, is dedicated to the shared mission of ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO natural and organic product choices.

When the verification process is finished, Red’s will join over 200 other brands with products that have been produced under the most rigorous practices for GMO avoidance. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are organisms whose genetic makeup has been modified through methods like gene splicing, gene modification, or transgenic technology. It is estimated that GMOs are present in more than 80 percent of packaged products in the average U.S. grocery store.

For founder and CEO Mike Adair, enrollment in the program was not even a question. “’All natural is in our name. It’s who we are. We don’t want to be a part of that statistic,” said Adair. “We want people to feel confident that when they’re enjoying our product, they’re enjoying only the highest quality, all natural ingredients.”

Manufactured under strict sanitary conditions, each 11 oz. burrito is crafted with antibiotic and hormone-free meats, and stuffed with the freshest veggies, and highest quality beans and spices, all cradled tight in a homemade, wheat flour tortilla. Full of protein and low in sodium, Red’s All Natural burritos are sold frozen in 4 different combinations that can be enjoyed by meat-lovers and vegetarians alike: turkey molé, chicken, steak and bean and rice. They are available at prices ranging from $4 to $5 at select retailers nationwide.

For more information about Red’s All Natural, visit www.redsallnatural.com. To learn more about the Non-GMO Project, visit www.nongmoproject.org.

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ABOUT RED’S ALL NATURAL

It all began on a Tuesday night in 2008 at the New Hampshire trailer of high school sweethearts Mike and Paige Adair. Busy with graduate school, the couple designated Tuesdays as sacred burrito night. But it wasn’t sacred for long, as word had quickly spread around town about Paige’s gift for all things burrito, and it wasn’t long before the whole neighborhood was lined up outside their door. Paige’s creation was an obvious hit, so Mike combined his business background and love for food with his wife’s infamous burrito recipe and Red’s All Natural was born. Named after their adopted dog, Red’s sold its first 100 percent all natural burrito in New England in 2010 and has since grown to include four frozen burrito combinations sold at retailers nationwide.

- Barney’s Premium Foods is proud to announce the verification of Barney Butter Crunchy and Smooth by the Non-GMO Project -

FRESNO, Calif. – Barney Butter is pleased to announce that its 100 percent all natural almond butter has earned the esteemed Non-GMO Project Seal. Made from all natural California almonds, Barney Butter’s smooth and crunchy almond butter joins over 200 other brands with products verified by the Non-GMO Project. A non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, farmers, seed companies, and consumers, the Non-GMO Project is dedicated to the shared mission of ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO natural and organic product choices.

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are organisms whose genetic makeup has been modified through DNA methods like gene splicing, gene modification, or transgenic technology. It is estimated that GMOs are present in more than 80 percent of packaged products in the average U.S. grocery store.

For CEO Dawn Haden, verification by the Non-GMO Project was an important next step. “We’ve always taken great pride in our commitment to providing consumers with a top quality, all natural product,” said Haden. “It is unquestionable that the all-natural, healthy food movement is in full swing, and we are pleased to stand at its forefront. With Non-GMO Project Verification, our consumers can feel confident that Barney Butter products have been produced under the most rigorous practices for GMO avoidance.”

The almond butter, which is manufactured under strict sanitary conditions in an almond-only facility, is 100 percent gluten-free and vegan-certified. A healthier alternative to peanut butter, Barney Butter has fewer calories and less than half the saturated fat.

Barney Butter products are available at grocery stores nationwide, and other major retailers and independent grocers across the country, as well as at www.barneybutter.com. Barney Butter retails for $5.99 to $6.99 for a 10 oz. jar or $7.99 to $9.99 for a 16 oz. jar.

For more information, readers can visit www.barneybutter.com.

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Nancy Trent/Pam Wadler
Trent & Company, Inc.
594 Broadway, Suite 901
(212) 966-0024
pam@trentandcompany.com

The Non-GMO Project is thrilled to welcome Courtney Pineau as our Communications Manager. In this newly created position, Courtney will focus on public relations for national Non-GMO Month events (October), development and support for our Product Verification Program, and consumer education with an emphasis on social media.

In the ten short days during which this position opening was posted, we received nearly 40 applications from an impressive slate of candidates. People from all over the country were offering to pack up and move to Bellingham in a heartbeat for this opportunity. What a great affirmation of how important the GMO issue, and the Non-GMO Project, have become to many Americans! Fortunately for us (since we wanted someone who could start training right away) we found our perfect candidate right here in Bellingham.

Courtney’s passion for sustainable agriculture is complemented by a background in the natural products industry, both on the vendor side (sales and marketing), and on the retail side (department manager). Most recently, she spent nearly five years in the non-profit sector while also earning an MBA in Sustainable Business with a focus on food systems. To top it all off, Courtney’s warm smile and bright spirit make us truly excited to have her join our small, hard-working team.

Below is a Q & A to help you start to get to know Courtney. For those of you who will be in Baltimore next month for The Organic Summit, All Things Organic, and the Natural Products Expo East, you can look forward to meeting Courtney in person!

What interests you about working with the Non-GMO Project?

First and foremost, I am inspired by the work of the Project. Having worked in the natural foods industry, I have seen firsthand the value of the education and awareness work that the Non-GMO Project has undertaken. The labeling and verification of non-GMO foods is a major step towards enabling people to make informed food choices. I also appreciate that the Non-GMO Project is the product of a collaborative effort between leaders in the natural foods industry. As the hub for much of the engagement and collaboration around GMOs, the Non-GMO Project is helping to bring about much needed change.

I hold a core belief that healthy and safe foods should be accessible to all people. I recognize that this is a lofty vision, but I seek to make choices in my life that help to support that possibility for others in the future. I believe that each product labeled by the Non-GMO Project brings awareness to the issues concerning GMOs, opens dialog, and moves us one step closer to a food supply that is truly healthy and safe.

How do you feel your prior experience will help you in working with the Non-GMO Project?

My passion for food, sustainability, and community outreach began in earnest in my teenage years and has not waned since. For several years, I worked as a health educator before moving into the natural foods industry, where I worked in marketing and sales for several large natural foods companies. It was through this work that I learned that marketing could be a powerful vehicle for change. Many mission-driven organizations have an important story to tell, and communications and marketing can be incredible tools for helping to bring a story and a mission to life.

I have a strong interest in understanding food systems. This has led me to volunteer on farms, study models of fair trade at home and abroad, and to homestead my own small piece of land. In 2009, I graduated from the Bainbridge Graduate Institute with an MBA in Sustainable Business, with a focus on food systems. Understanding the complexity of our food system creates a foundation for understanding many of the issues pertaining to GMOs in our food supply.

For the past five years, I have worked for a large international non-profit as a marketing project manager. Through this work, I have had the opportunity to engage in all types of communications platforms. This experience has left me more excited than ever about communications as a means to educate, to initiate dialog, and to connect people with one another.

What is important to you about the work you will be doing with the project?

It is important to me that my work with the Non-GMO Project support communications and outreach activities that are open, honest, and inclusive. It is also important to me that we welcome all stakeholders, no matter what their viewpoint, to the conversation about GMOs: farmers, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and consumers. From a broader perspective, it is important to me that my work contributes to a future where consumers can make informed food choices, and where all people have access to healthy and safe foods.

With consumer interest in Non-GMO food higher than ever, the Non-GMO Project is hosting a webinar for retailers on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011, from 10:30 am-11:30 pm PDT (starts at 11:30 pm MDT, 12:30 pm CDT, 1:30 pm EDT).

Register here now!

During this webinar, we will provide you and your team with all of the information you’ll need to engage your customers, and begin preparing for Non-GMO Month 2011.

We will cover:

• Basic information about genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• History and overview of the Non-GMO Project
• Updates on recent developments in the fight against GMOs (salmon, alfalfa, etc.)
• Key talking points for addressing consumer concerns about the issue
• Exciting strategies for successful Non-GMO Month promotions.
• Other retailers’ approaches to going Non-GMO right now!

We will be available to answer any questions during an an optional 30-minute Q&A immediately following the presentation.

We look forward to speaking with you!

Following the spring 2011 public comment period (held from March 10th to April 18th 2011), the Non-GMO Project Standard Committee and Board of Directors have agreed on proposed revisions to the Standard. Members of the public have an opportunity to comment on these proposed revisions through August 26th, 2011. Once all comments have been reviewed and addressed appropriately, version 8 of the Non-GMO Project Standard will be formally implemented.

Please click here to review a pdf of the Non-GMO Project Standard with comments inserted and changes tracked.

To submit comment, please click here.

July 14, 2011, Napa CA - Salute Santé!®, the leading brand of award winning grapeseed oils, has been verified to the Non-GMO Project’s rigorous standard for GMO avoidance, receiving the prestigious designation, “Non-GMO Project Verified”. The entire line of Salute Santé! grapeseed oil, including original plain, roasted garlic, basil, chili, rosemary, lemon and their new California extra virgin cold pressed grapeseed oils are now Verified.

“This is wonderful recognition,” says Valentin Humer, president and CEO of Napa, Calif.-based Food & Vine™, Inc. “We have achieved another milestone, in addition to our Green certification, to keep the Salute Santé!® brand the leader in the grapeseed oil category for the best quality”.

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit collaboration of natural and organic industry leaders, which offers North America’s only independent verification for products created according to GMO avoidance best practices. GMOs are genetically modified organisms that have been created through genetic engineering, inserting DNA from one species into another species, creating genes that do not occur in nature.

The Project was conceived by retailers who recognized consumers’ desire for products that used natural, non-GMO ingredients. Prior to the Non-GMO Project, there was no uniformity in non-GMO labeling claims. The Project’s claim offers a statement stating simply that the product in question has been “verified”. The verification assures that a product has been manufactured according to consensus-based best practices for GMO avoidance, including testing of risk ingredients.

Contact: Nanette Humer
nanette@grapeseedoil.com
707-251-3900
_____________________________________________________________________

Food & Vine™, Inc., purveyors of award-winning, 100% natural Salute Santé!® Grapeseed Oil, are certified green by Green America. This distinction recognizes Food & Vine™, Inc.’s commitment and achievements as a green company, placing it among the nation’s leading progressive businesses working to solve today’s tough social and environmental problems.

www.grapeseedoil.com www.nongmoproject.org www.greenamericatoday.org

BASALT, Colorado (July 6, 2011) – Two leaves and a bud is pleased to announce that their whole leaf, craft teas have now been verified by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, farmers, seed companies, and consumers dedicated to the shared mission of ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO natural and organic product choices.

As more consumers are gravitating towards natural products, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has become a concern for many Americans. In fact, a recent CBS/New York Times poll found that 53% of consumers stated that they would not buy food that has been genetically modified. The Non-GMO Project provides consumers with an opportunity to make an informed choice when it comes to GMOs.

“From the very start of our company, two leaves and a bud has always used only natural ingredients in our teas,” said Richard Rosenfeld, the company’s Founder and CEO. “We understand that tea consumers are concerned not only about the quality and flavor of their tea, but are also very health conscious. Our customers want to know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies. In order to achieve Non-GMO Project verification, two leaves and a bud demonstrated that all of its ingredients are tested according to a rigorous and continuous program in compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standards. These standards also include strict traceability and segregation requirements. By officially becoming verified by the Non-GMO Project, tea connoisseurs can feel confident that while they’re drinking their favorite two leaves and a bud tea, they’re only consuming a natural product that has gone through rigorous third-party verification of GMO avoidance practices.”

The recent Non-GMO Project verification is a continuation of the company’s commitment to helping consumers in maintaining a healthy lifestyle while also protecting the planet. In addition to being non-GMO verified, 16 of the company’s 18 teas are organic. The company utilizes a pyramid style sachet for their teas that not only allows for a better flavor in each cuppa’ tea, but is also gluten-free and biodegradable. This fall, the company will also be introducing biodegradable sleeves as part of their eco-friendly packaging initiatives. To learn more about the Non-GMO Project, visit www.nongmoproject.org

About two leaves and a bud tea co.

Two leaves and a bud tea company (www.twoleavesandabud.com) is a tea company based in Basalt, Colorado, specializing in whole leaf, craft tea. The company was founded in 2005 by Richard Rosenfeld, an entrepreneur who traveled the world for business, only to become frustrated at being able to find a quality cuppa’ tea at home. Two leaves and a bud travels to tea gardens around the world to interact with farmers, taste the best they have to offer, and provide premium tea that tastes like it was plucked and steeped directly at the gardens. The company is named for the essence of great tea — the top two leaves and a bud of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. For more information about the tea company and their variety of black, green, white, and herbal teas, visit www.twoleavesandabud.com.

For More Information Contact:
Sara Loveday / Silk
sara.loveday@whitewave.com
303-635-4680 

Lauren Cameron / Linhart PR
lcameron@linhartpr.com
303-951-2570

Non-GMO Project Product Verification Program Seal to Begin Appearing On-Pack in August for All Silk Soymilk, Pure Coconut^® and Pure Almond^® Beverages

Broomfield, Colo. (June 23, 2011) – Silk^®, the leading plant-based beverage brand in the U.S., today announced that all products in its beverage portfolio have been officially verified by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, farmers, seed companies and consumers dedicated to the shared mission of ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO food and beverage choices. Silk’s beverage portfolio includes Silk Soymilk, Silk Pure Coconut^® and Silk Pure Almond^®.

Craig Shiesley, general manager for Silk, made the announcement at the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) Forum currently taking place in Boulder, Colo. Shiesley was part of a panel focusing on “GMO Awareness in our Food.”

All Silk soymilk, coconutmilk and almondmilk products were enrolled in The Non-GMO Project’s Product Verification Program last year. In order to achieve verification, Silk demonstrated that all of its GMO risk ingredients are tested according to a rigorous and continuous program in compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standards. These standards also include strict traceability and segregation requirements.

“While Silk has been using non-GMO soybeans since the brand’s inception 15 years ago, enrolling our soymilk, almondmilk and coconutmilk products in the Non-GMO Project was an important step in our commitment to providing consumers with sustainably-produced, non-GMO plant-based beverages,” said Shiesley. “With our Non-GMO Project verification, consumers can feel confident purchasing Silk beverages knowing the products have gone through rigorous third-party verification of GMO avoidance practices.”

Consumers will be able to find the Non-GMO Project’s verification seal on all verified Silk Soymilk, Silk Pure Almond and Silk Pure Coconut beverage packaging beginning in August.

“With more than 20 million consumers nationwide and an exceptionally high volume of soybeans, all from North America, Silk is a tremendous ally,” said Megan Westgate, executive director of the Non-GMO Project. “The verification of their beverage portfolio is an enormous boost to our non-profit mission of providing the public with an informed choice and preserving a non-GMO ingredient supply for the future.”

Prior to enrolling in the Non-GMO Project, Silk already took extensive steps to ensure its soybeans were non-GMO, including following a comprehensive set of testing protocols to detect GMOs. From seed to manufacturing, Silk’s soybeans are tested four times to make sure they are non-GMO.

The verification of Silk’s plant-based portfolio as non-GMO follows the launch late last year of its new soymilk traceability website (www.silksoymilk.com/traceit/), which allows consumers to trace the origin of the soybeans found in any Silk product down to the county level.

To learn more about Silk, visit www.silksoymilk.com, visit Silk on Facebook or follow us @lovemysilk Silk on Twitter.

ABOUT SILK
Silk was founded in 1996 on a promise to make the world a healthier place. We believe that plant-based foods are the best way to nourish people and the planet and today we offer a broad portfolio of nutritious, great-tasting milk-alternatives, including Silk® Soymilk, Silk PureAlmond™ and Silk PureCoconut™. All of our products have been verified as non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO food and beverages. Silk is also committed to making the world a healthier place through socially responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices, such as our Responsible Soybean Sourcing & Production Program, our traceability website (www.silksoymilk.com/traceit/) and our legacy of using and championing renewable energy. For more information, visit www.silksoymilk.com, www.silkpurealmond.com, www.silkpurecoconut.com, Facebook.com/SilkUS or follow us on Twitter @LoveMySilk.

ABOUT NON-GMO PROJECT
The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit multi-stakeholder collaboration committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. More information can be found at www.nongmoproject.org, and at www.facebook.com/nongmoproject, where over 40,000 people follow daily news and updates from the Project.

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Concord, MA (June 2011) Stark Sisters Granola, the gourmet granola company which has received rave reviews from Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Boston Globe, and many more, is announcing that Stark Sisters Maple Almond, Nutty Maple and Maple Raspberry Blueberry Granolas have been Non-GMO Project Verified. This Verification demonstrates Stark Sisters’ fierce commitment to keeping Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) out of their Granola.

With the recent USDA approvals of genetically modified sugar beets and alfalfa, Stark Sisters believes that there has to be a renewed commitment to sustainable agriculture and to the health and well-being of the people who live on this planet.

According to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, 80% of packaged food products contain GMOs. Debra Stark believes that American shoppers are being treated like human guinea pigs; that there is no reliable scientific data that proves genetically modified foods are safe. The fact that many countries have banned GMOs also concerns Stark.

A CBS/New York Times study reported that the majority of consumers said that they wouldn’t buy GMO foods. However, because GMO labeling is not required in the US, the American consumer is left guessing, hoping if they buy organic and natural, they will be safe. In fact, with genetic contamination increasingly a concern, only through examination and certification can a company prove their food is safe. Non-GMO Project Verification provides a rigorous, reliable third-party standard for GMO avoidance.

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit collaboration comprised of manufacturers, retailers, processors, distributors, farmers, seed companies and consumers who are concerned with the use of GMOs in food products. Their standard utilizes on-site facility audits, document and systems reviews and DNA testing of high-risk ingredients to verify non-GMO alternatives.

Independent retailers (like Debra’s Natural Gourmet in Concord, MA, home of Stark Sisters Granola, Jimbo’s in CA, and Whole Foods Markets nationally), carry Stark Sisters Granola in their bulk bins. People from all over call Debra and order Stark Sisters shipped directly to them too.

Stark Sisters Granolas are also wheat free, terrific, crunchy, vegan, kosher, made with organic grains, and, as you now know, are Non-GMO Project Verified.

David Rosengarten said about Stark Sisters Maple Almond, Nutty Maple and Maple Raspberry Blueberry, “This is the stuff…tastes really fresh, and natural as if you’re Euell Gibbons on a foraging expedition….”

For more information, send Debra Stark an email at debra@starksisters.com. Call 800-858-5549. Visit www.starksisters.com

Click here to download an information packet

Visit the Right2Know March website to sign up or find out more!

When: October 2 – 16, 2011

Why: We have the right to know what’s in our food, and to choose safe, healthy and sustainable non-GMO food and products for ourselves and our children.

This right is not being respected, so it’s time to…

These recent actions have created momentum to rally for the right to know about GMOs:

Where: From New York City through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland culminating on October 16^th, World Food Day, in Washington, DC.

What:Everyone is invited to walk the entire route or portions of the route – or to get involved in other ways. Stops at supporting retail stores will be scheduled along the route for events. There will be a large kick-off event in New York City at the Green Festival and final event in Lafayette Park across from the White House. Arrival and departure, and overnight accommodations must be organized individually. Local organizing of events or marchers is encouraged.

Who:Inspired by Joseph Wilhelm, organic pioneer and managing director of Rapunzel Naturkost in Germany who has organized and lead two marches for a GMO-free world in 2007 and 2009 in Europe, this U.S. event has been initiated by citizens and NGOs who believe it is time to rally together peacefully and raise a unified voice to protect our right to know as consumers and to support the right to farm without genetic trespass.

Initial Organizers:International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM); The Non-GMO Project; Sustainable Living Roadshow; and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap.

We need:

Sponsorship: $5,000: All sponsors receive the same recognition on website, postcards, flyers, press releases and other print material. A special account has been set up by The Non-GMO Project and your sponsorship donation can be tax deductible.

We are seeking to confirm an initial group of sponsors and supporters by June 1^st, to be acknowledged in our initial press releases (scheduled for early June).

Projected budget: $150,000 – $200,000

Find out more – contact: Katherine DiMatteo, k.dimatteo@ifoam.org; 413-624-5569

www.right2knowmarch.org