Tie a yellow ribbon  
'round the old oak  tree...

Yellow ribbons were recently spotted tied around the bottom of each of our shopping carts. So what does that mean?

Our Cordata store maintenance guy Colin Clark was recently pressure washing our shopping carts over a period of several days and this was his way of identifying which carts were already washed.

Pretty clever-and very decorative. Thanks, Colin.

Majority Want More Labels on Food

Voters express almost unanimous support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. An arresting 91 percent of voters favor an FDA requirement that "foods which have been genetically engineered or containing GE ingredients be labeled to indicate that." A mere five percent oppose labeling, while another five percent have no opinion.

In short, Americans are nearly unanimous in supporting a labeling requirement for GE food, a position that is almost impervious to arguments from the other side. The only remaining question is whether the FDA will continue to be about the only group in America opposed to labeling.

Source: Mark Mellman's opinion column at thehill.com. Mellman is president of The Mellman Group.

Jill Richardson, author

America's food system is currently dominated by agribusiness and factory farms, whose destructive practices pollute the environment, are cruel to animals, unfair to workers, and worst of all, offer us unhealthy food choices. Despite this dire situation, most people have little idea how to eat differently, or healthier.

In Recipe for America, food activist Jill Richardson shows how sustainable agriculture-  where local farms produce food that is healthy for consumers and animals and does not damage the environment--offers the only solution to America's food crisis. In addition to highlighting the harmful conditions of industrial farming, this timely and necessary book details the rising grassroots food movement, which is creating an agricultural system that allows people to eat sustainably, locally, and seasonally.

How Do Ya Like Them
(Genetically-modified) Apples?

Ever feel tongue tied when trying to explain why GMOs are a big problem? No more. Now, finally, we have Earth Open Source's GMO Myths and Truths by scientists citing hundreds of peer-reviewed journals. And, it's all clearly laid out for non scientists. The authors-including a molecular geneticist and biochemist-shoot down every argument you've ever heard from the pro-GMO interests. Read more here.

For the full report, see Earth Open Source's website.

The 10th Whatcom Harvest Dinner will support learning about our food: where and how it was grown and prepared through enjoyment of a community meal featuring produce from school and community gardens, grown just for the occasion.