Written by Lynn Buske - The Cornucopia Institute   

More Organic Companies Step Up to Support "Consumers Right to Know"

Sacramento, CA – Numerous organic food companies and retailers have stepped up with financial contributions to the California “Yes on Prop 37” campaign to label GMOs in food. New contributors include Stonyfield Farm, the nation's largest organic yogurt maker, California retailers Jimbo’s and New Leaf, and many pioneering member-owned co-ops.

"We are very pleased to see Stonyfield, with a $25,000 contribution (and an additional $10,000 by their Chairman, Gary Hirshberg), joining the California Proposition 37 fight for the consumers’ right to know what is in their food," said Mark Kastel of the Wisconsin-based Cornucopia Institute. Cornucopia removed Stonyfield from its "Missing in Action" infographic (http://www.cornucopia.org/2012/08/prop37/) and added the brand to the updated infographic listing organic heroes.

Cornucopia also removed the logo of Newman’s Own Organics from its “MIA” poster after its president, Nell Newman, contributed $20,000 to the “Yes on Prop 37” campaign.

Jimbo’s Naturally, with stores in the San Diego area, contributed $10,000, and New Leaf Community Markets, with stores in Northern California, completed an innovative educational project that included matching contributions from its customers, culminating in a $6400 donation.

"Pioneering retailers like Jimbo’s and New Leaf, Good Earth Natural Foods, also in California, and Mom's Organic Market (Maryland/Virginia) have been joined by many member-owned food co-ops around the country on the front lines of this battle,” Kastel said. Cornucopia has a separate infographic showing where retailers stand on the GMO labeling issue and support for the Proposition 37 campaign.

Organic companies that have stepped up with additional contributions as well include Dr. Bronner’s (additional $262,000), Organic Valley (additional $50,000), Nature’s Path (additional $50,000), GFA Brands (additional $50,000), Dr. Mercola (additional $15,000), and Organicville (additional $7,500).


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"This is the food fight of the decade, which will likely affect consumers across the entire nation," said Kastel. Since Californians spend 10% of all US food dollars, Prop. 37 could easily result in companies labeling GMOs nationwide. "It is no surprise that the biotechnology industry and food manufacturers currently using GMOs have spent more than $40 million to defeat the initiative and keep consumers in the dark."

New polls show that the massive advertising blitz by the biotech industry is having an effect on public support for the initiative. Allegedly false and misleading advertisements and commercials by the biotech industry have succeeded in eroding overwhelming support for Proposition 37. "Financial contributions to the “Yes on Prop 37” campaign are crucial at this point, to counter the corporate juggernaut of misinformation attempting to convince the public to vote against their own interests," Kastel added.

Cornucopia's three infographics on Proposition 37 (identifying pro/con national organic brands and retailers, and major “missing in action” players) can be found at: http://www.cornucopia.org/2012/08/prop37/