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

(Winnipeg, Manitoba – June 1, 2011) – Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils, a global leader in hemp foods, is today announcing that its entire line of products have earned the Non-GMO Project Verification, demonstrating continued commitment to creating the healthiest hemp foods and educating the public about healthy lifestyle choices.

“We’re proud to have earned Non-GMO Project Verification on our award-winning protein powders, seeds, hemp beverages, oils and butters,” said Mike Fata, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Manitoba Harvest. “We’re committed to natural, healthy and sustainable foods, and providing consumers with nutritious products — free of GMOs — is an important part of that commitment.”

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.

“Many consumers choose hemp for its high quality nutrition,” said Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project. “Now, with Non-GMO Project Verification of all its products, Manitoba Harvest hemp products boast another healthful benefit.”

The Non-GMO Project Verification seal will begin to appear on Manitoba Harvest packaging beginning in late 2011.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils
Founded in 1998, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils is the world’s largest vertically-integrated, farmer owned hemp food manufacturer. Manitoba Harvest is proud to offer award-winning products like Hemp Pro 70® (hemp protein concentrate), Hemp Bliss® Organic Hemp Beverage, shelled hemp seed, and hemp oil. In addition to their own popular brand of hemp foods, Manitoba Harvest supplies many other leading consumer brands with functional hemp food ingredients. For more information visit www.manitobaharvest.com or www.facebook.com/manitobaharvesthempfoodsandoils.

Contact:
Chrissy Redmond, Cone
credmond@coneinc.com
617-939-8369

May 25, 2011

A 12-page report on The Organic Movement was published today as a circular in the Washington Post. Offering a current look at the inspiring growth and success of the organic movement, the circular also considers some of the challenges we face. It includes an article on GMOs by Non-GMO Project Executive Director Megan Westgate. The report is expected to reach over 2 million readers.

Click here to download a PDF of the report.

More than 160 Groups, including the Non-GMO Project, Urge U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture to Issue Action Plan on Consolidation in Agriculture and Food Industries

Historic workshops on agricultural antitrust issues warrant national vision

WASHINGTON, DC – May 11, 2011—More than 160 groups sent a letter yesterday urging U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to release a report on findings from the 2010 investigation of antitrust issues in agriculture. The historic workshops, conducted jointly by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture (USDA), brought together nationally recognized experts, academics, farmers and consumers to discuss the growing impact of consolidation on America’s farm and food sectors.

“Farmers applauded the departments for undertaking the antitrust workshops, but more than a year after the first workshops concluded, farmers and ranchers need real action to restore fairness and stem the losses. They are wondering what happens next,” said Kathy Ozer, Executive Director of the National Family Farm Coalition.

The five workshops also provided an opportunity for thousands of farmers, ranchers and consumers to voice their concerns about the impact that consolidation in the seed, meatpacking, poultry and retail sectors has on their livelihoods and families. Hundreds of thousands more submitted written testimony and signed petitions to the departments.

“We have heard stories from producers and consumers around the country struggling to support themselves on their farms and healthy food in their communities. Americans all along the food chain are impacted by the agribusiness monopolies dominating US food and agriculture.” said Bill Ayres, Executive Director of WhyHunger. “The need for federal action to break up the monopolies is just as important today as it was in Teddy Roosevelt’s day; restoring competition in the market is essential to curbing hunger, improving our citizens’ health, and growing strong local economies.”

The assemblage of experts and the coordination between the DOJ and USDA was unprecedented and can be the basis for greatly needed efforts to address consolidation in the food and farm sectors, the letter noted. 165 farmer, community, environmental, consumer, faith and development groups from across the country signed the letter.

“Both agencies need to understand that the American public wants more than an extended media event when it comes to breaking the stranglehold that Monsanto et. al. have on our food and farming systems. What is wanted and what is warranted is decisive and informed action from the only people on the planet in a position to take on Big Food,” concluded Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Senior Scientist of Pesticide Action Network of North America. “A clear and comprehensive report is appropriate and overdue.”

For further information, contact:

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman: 415-981-6205 x.325
Kathy Ozer: (202) 543-5675
Debbie Grunbaum, WhyHunger: 212-629-0853

Delicious, Nutritious, Convenient Kefir Beverages Expected to Become Verified Later This Year

MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin O’Connor
SS.PR
(847) 415-9320
eoconnor@sspr.com

For Immediate Release:

Morton Grove, IL (April 20, 2011) —Just in time for April’s all-natural Earth Day celebrations, Lifeway Foods, Inc., (Nasdaq: LWAY) announced today that its entire lineup of delicious probiotic Kefir, Frozen Kefir, Helios ™, ProBugs ™, and BioKefir ™ beverages has been enrolled in the nonprofit Non-GMO Project, demonstrating the company’s passionate commitment to avoidance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).The company expects to have the products verified later this fall for marketing with the Non-GMO Project Verified label. Lifeway Kefir and Helios Organic Kefir have already begun the product verification process.

Enrollment in the Non-GMO Project, North America’s only third-party verification and labeling standard for GMO avoidance, affirms Lifeway’s dedication to compliance with the Project’s rigorous standard. In order to achieve verification, Lifeway’s Kefir Products must pass a stringent review process, focused on testing, segregation, and traceability.

Commonly found in the vast majority of packaged products in the U.S. and Canada, GMOs are the result of genetic engineering, whereby the DNA of one species of plant, animal, bacteria or virus is injected into another, creating genetic combinations that can not occur naturally, or through traditional crossbreeding. According to the Non-GMO Project, more than 30 countries impose significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of GMOs, citing health and safety concerns. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on the other hand, has approved commercial production of GMOs.

“Our entire company is founded upon the notion of providing naturally healthy and delicious beverages and other products that offer all of the well-documented nutritional benefits of probiotics, without the risk of synthetic additives and GMOs,” said Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky. “Enrolling in this program signals our commitment to producing real alternatives to conventional, genetically-modified products and helps protect our industry niche in pioneering and producing these immune-boosting, tasty and convenient products.”

Numerous studies show that a significant majority of North Americans want to know whether the food they purchase contains GMOs. In fact, a recent CBS/New York Times poll showed that more than half of consumers asked said they would not buy food that has been genetically modified.

Lifeway’s cultured dairy products offer a creamy and delicious probiotic boost, courtesy of the company’s exclusive lineup of 12 live and active cultures. With convenient packaging for spoon-free, on-the-go enjoyment, Lifeway Kefir products support a healthy immune system, support digestive health and more. The company’s products are made from fresh, local ingredients, with clean, renewable energy for better flavor and reduced energy consumption.

Currently found at more than 10,000 retail stores nationwide, Lifeway products are available at Walmart, Costco, BJ’s, Safeway, and Whole Foods, to name a few. The company is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a national Lifeway Kefir tour, working its way across the country with a series of appearances at family events, college campuses and consumer events complete with human-powered blender bikes that will mix Lifeway Kefir smoothies on the spot and will help raise $25,000 for local charities.

For a complete list of Lifeway’s Non-GMO Project enrolled products, visit www.nongmoproject.org.

For more information about Lifeway Foods’ Kefir products, visit www.lifewaykefir.com.

Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 877.281.3874
Email: info@Lifeway.net
www.lifewaykefir.com

Find Lifeway Foods, Inc. on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifewaykefir
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/lifeway_kefir
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/Lifeway_Kefir
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/lifewaykefir

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY), recently named one of Fortune Small Business’ Fastest Growing Companies for the fifth consecutive year, is America’s leading supplier of the cultured dairy products known as kefir and organic kefir. Lifeway Kefir is a dairy beverage that contains 10 exclusive live and active probiotic cultures plus ProBoost™. While most regular yogurt containsonly two or three of these “friendly” cultures, Lifeway Kefir products offer greater nutritional benefits and support a healthier life. Lifeway produces various different flavors of its drinkable Kefir and Organic Kefir beverage, and recently introduced a series of innovative new products such as a children’s line of Organic Kefir called ProBugs™ with a no-spill pouch and kid-friendly flavors like Goo Berry Pie and Strawnana Split. In addition to its line of Kefir products, the company produces a variety of probiotic cheese products. Lifeway also sells frozen kefir, kefir smoothies and kefir parfaits through its Starfruit™ retail stores.

Verification of wheat and rice products by Non-GMO Project furthers natural heritage of Attune Foods’ cereals

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, April 26, 2011 – Attune Foods, a leader in natural and organic cereals, is proud to announce that fifteen of its Uncle Sam, Erewhon, Skinner’s and New Morning products are now verified by the 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.

“Attune Foods believes that what matters most is what’s inside, and is committed to delivering the most pure and natural foods to help you feel your best every day. We follow a strict mantra around here for our cereals – which is ‘Simple Ingredients. Simply Made,’ said Rob Hurlbut, CEO of Attune Foods. “Our consumers are strict label readers, and value the minimally processed, simple nature of our good-for-you foods. We are proud to reassure them that their favorites – Uncle Sam Toasted Whole Wheat Berry Flakes and Flaxseed, Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice and New Morning Organic Graham Crackers – have been verified to the Non-GMO Project’s rigorous standard for GMO avoidance.”

In over 30 other countries around the world, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), because they have not been proven safe. In the United States and Canada, there is no similar regulation, and labeling of GMO foods is not required. Attune Foods and the Non-GMO Project believe that consumers have a right to know what’s in their food, and to choose non-GMO.

To fill the information gap, a “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal has been created. Manufacturers earn the seal through compliance with rigorous standards, including testing of GMO-risk ingredients, as part of the nation’s only third party standard for GMO Avoidance.

“With concerns about the health and environmental impacts of GMOs growing by the day, more Americans than ever are looking for clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices,” said Megan Westgate, Executive Director, Non-GMO Project. “We’re thrilled that Attune Foods is supporting the cause by ensuring that people can start their days with safe, healthy non-GMO food.

Uncle Sam
Since 1908, Uncle Sam has been making Uncle Sam Original high fiber cereal. We take hard red winter wheat berries and then steam, roll, and toast them to a terrific crunch. We then combine them with flaxseeds for a delicious high-fiber and heart-healthy cereal. Each serving of Uncle Sam Original features 10g of fiber, 7g of protein, and less than 1g of sugar, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids from Flaxseed. Uncle Sam is also available in new Strawberry, Multi-Grain and Honey Almond flavors.

Erewhon
Since 1966, Erewhon has led the organic revolution and we remain passionately committed to providing the purest organic and gluten free foods. It’s the cereal you can feel good about eating. Erewhon uses only the whole grains of organic brown rice and organic corn. Each puff of Crispy Brown Rice is an actual grain of rice. Our cereals have no dairy, soy, peanuts or tree nuts in them. Erewhon is available in seven organic and certified gluten free cereals.

New Morning
Since 1978, New Morning has been making tasty organic alternatives to mass-market foods. New Morning Organic Graham Crackers are made with ingredients you can feel good about eating. We blend organic wheat flour with organic graham flour, and then add a touch of honey and molasses for a healthier spin on this classic cracker. New Morning Organic Graham Crackers are available in Honey and Cinnamon varieties.

About Attune Foods
San Francisco-based Attune Foods believes that what matters most is what’s inside, and is committed to making the best tasting natural foods that help you feel your best every day – whether through fiber, allergen and gluten avoidance, or probiotics. Attune Foods makes Uncle Sam high fiber cereals, Erewhon Gluten Free Cereals, New Morning Organic Graham Crackers, Attune Chocolate Probiotic Bars and Skinner’s Raisin Bran. To find out more about Attune, please visit us at www.attunefoods.com. Become a fan at www.facebook.com/AttuneFoods and follow us on Twitter @AttuneFoods.

Contact Information
Daniel Wiser
Attune Foods
Tel: 415-486-2103
Email: daniel@attunefoods.com

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COUPONS

Interested in trying the newly Verified cereals from Uncle Sam and Erewhon?
Visit these links for great coupons you can use at favorite local grocer!

With consumer interest in Non-GMO food higher than ever, the Non-GMO Project is hosting a webinar for retailers on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, from 11 am-12:30 pm PDT (starts at 12 pm MDT, 1 pm CDT, 2 pm EDT).

To register, click here.

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 news about Non-GMO Month 2011, coming up in October
• Other retailers’ approaches to going Non-GMO right now!

There will also be time for your questions.

We look forward to speaking with you!

To accommodate stakeholders currently working on NOSB comments, we have extended the spring public comment period by one week, through Sunday April 17th.

From March 10th through April 17th, consumers, retailers, vendors, processors, farms, seed companies, and all other members of the public have the opportunity to submit comment on the Non-GMO Project Standard. Feedback and suggested revisions will be reviewed by the Project’s Standard Committee, who will release a reflective draft for a second round of comment in late spring/early summer.

To download a copy of the Standard, please click here.

Comments can be submitted online (click here) or emailed to standard@nongmoproject.org

The Non-GMO Project Standard is opened to public comment biannually, every spring and fall, in order to keep it current, relevant, and consensus based. Please contact us if you have any questions.

More shoppers are looking for non-GMO than ever before, and nine Non-GMO Project Participants have teamed up with UNFI to offer some great deals this June! These promotions will be listed in a special Non-GMO section in the June catalogue. The Non-GMO Project will be offering PDF artwork for shelf talkers, channel strips and FAQ brochures; information about all of these will be emailed directly to our Retailer Endorsers in May. This is a perfect warm-up for Non-GMO Month in October!

Here’s an overview of participating brands and products:
Annie’s Homegrown: 30% off Mac & Cheeses
Berlin Natural Bakery: 30% off Spelt Breads & Pizza Crust
Eden Foods: 25% off Canned Rice & Beans
Lifeway: 30% off Kefir
Manitoba Harvest: 25% off Shelled Hemp Seed, 2, 8 & 12 oz.
Mary’s Gone Crackers: 22% off Cookies & 30% off Shipper
PJ’s Organics: 25% off Burritos
Tofurky(Turtle Island Foods): 25% off Franks
Traditional Medicinals: 25% off 7 Select Organic Teas

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Non-GMO Project relies on public support to fulfill our mission of protecting your right to choose non-GMO. Your donation of any amount is fully tax-deductible and deeply appreciated!

Click here to DONATE.

Enrollment validates EatPastry’s long-standing commitment to sourcing Non-GMO ingredients

San Diego, CA (April 5, 2011) – EatPastry^®, the only entirely vegan cookie dough brand in the U.S., has announced their enrollment in the Non-GMO Project’s Product Verification Program. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, farmers, seed companies and consumers committed to the shared mission of ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO food and beverage choices. EatPastry is extremely proud to be a part of such an important campaign.

Since their beginning, EatPastry has been dedicated to the use of non-GMO ingredients in their products. GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature, and have not been proven safe.

“Choosing to participate in the Non-GMO Project has never been a question. It is a necessity,” said Jessie Williams, CEO and co-owner of EatPastry. “Verification through the Non-GMO Project will help to assure customers they are getting the high-quality ingredients they deserve, and demonstrate EatPastry’s continued support of non-GMO practices.”

Once the verification process is completed, EatPastry plans to place the Non-GMO Project’s “Verified” seal on its packaging, giving concerned shoppers an easy-to-recognize Non-GMO choice.

To learn more about EatPastry, visit www.eatpastry.com, like EatPastry on Facebook or follow EatPastry on Twitter.

ABOUT EATPASTRY

EatPastry is the only entirely vegan cookie dough company in the U.S. offering both vegan and vegan gluten-free varieties. EatPastry was founded in 2008 with a mission to provide healthier choices for people and their families.  EatPastry has always been dedicated to sourcing the highest quality ingredients, and has made it their mission to adhere to the highest standards.  We believe that there is no need to sacrifice health for taste, and our cookie dough is a clear example of that belief. For more information please visit www.eatpastry.com.

ABOUT THE NON-GMO PROJECT

The Non-GMO Project, launched in 2008, 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 33,000 people follow daily news and updates from the Project.

Contact:
EatPastry LLC
Jessie Williams
858-228-6506
eatpastry@gmail.com