My Swedish roots seemed to quite like the weather.
I finally got a real winter (even if it was for only a week)! Even though those Minnesotans thought 30 degrees was warm weather, it qualified as winter for this Texas girl. I took every sweater, scarf and hat I own and my only heavy winter coat and excitedly sported them daily. I walked on a frozen lake, was the guest of honor at a sprouted wheat pizza party, hung with the coolest of food activists, visited many a food coop and even attended a raw milk meeting. I actually quite liked it up there in those Scandinavian populated parts. My Swedish roots seemed to quite like the weather. What am I doing in Texas? Hmmmm….Besides all the pot holes and poor driving conditions, the place was quite beautiful and the people friendly and progressive (and maybe a little annoyed at me for being excited about snow).
- Keeping the Organic Marketplace in check
If we have companies watering down the label, soon the word “organic” won’t have any integrity. Cornucopia’s mission is to uphold these standards…
Why did you go to Minnesota in the middle of winter, you ask? To attend the Cornucopia Institute annual board meeting. Very interesting and educational weekend debating controversial issues all centering around protecting the organic label. Many food companies want to get on the organic bandwagon, but do not want to follow the rules set by the organic standards board of the USDA. If we have companies watering down the label, soon the word “organic” won’t have any integrity.
Unfortunately, the USDA has been falling off on the job and has let many corporations slide…
Cornucopia’s mission is to uphold these standards through consumer and farmer educational outreach and by confronting the corporations directly and asking them to play by the rules. Unfortunately, the USDA has been falling off on the job and has let many corporations slide that have claimed to be selling an organic product, but have been found to selling a factory farm made product. Horizon Dairy is a case in point.
I feel more re-inspired to carry on my mission and invigorated from my trip. Now to adjust to the 70 degree days back in Texas!!
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