More Hip Than Hippie #250 - Say No to GMO

The CEO of Lundberg Family Farms explains his company's opposition to genetically modified foods, and how consumers can avoid GMOs.

As more US crops are planted using genetically modified seeds, consumers increasingly demand to know about the risks of eating GM foods. Lundberg Family Farms takes a stand against GMOs; their CEO, Grant Lundberg, tells the Hipsters why! Also, Dori steps up to the cider while Val deals with a head full of snot.

Beer and Cider:

Beer: Try as she might, Val can't stay away from her new boyfriend Samuel Smith. We give his Organic Apple Cider much Hipster love for its nice flavor. It's a great choice for those who usually find cider to be too sweet.

Chocolate: OK, this was a disappointment. Seeds of Change Organic Dark Chocolate with Mango and Cashew is heavily molested with teensy bits of fruit and nuts, so it's a bit chewier than we like. Worse, all that flotsam and jetsam contributed almost no flavor! If we're going to work that hard to eat it, we want more bang for the bite.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Looking for the perfect Travel Book Light? Verilux makes a model that folds up flat and shines a glare-free natural light. Best of all, you can power it with rechargeable batteries or a USB port.
• Would you, could you in the dark? Break in your new book light during Earth Hour 2010! Circle March 27th on your calendar and pledge to turn off your lights at 8:30pm for 60 minutes. You'll be in good company.

Hip News

• Caveat empty. Oops! Bisphenol A isn't safe after all, according to the US FDA. But they can't regulate BPA because of a quirk in the rules. So consider yourself warned.
• Car maxed. There are actually fewer autos on US roads these days. A combination of driver frustration and improved public transportation means car usage is on the decline for the first time in decades.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Vote with your dollar! Search for participating companies and verified products on the Non-GMO Project site. Share the lists with family and friends, then go shopping!

 

Say No to GMO

As more US crops are planted using genetically modified seeds, consumers increasingly demand to know about the risks of eating GM foods. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit consortium of retailers, producers, farmers and distributors who want to give shoppers a choice to avoid these foods. Lundberg Family Farms participates in this organization and takes a stand against GMOs.

• GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GM foods entered the market in the 1990s.
• Frankentomato is the not-so-complimentary nickname given to Calgene's Flavr Savr, the first GM food to hit stores.
• Health risks of GM foods are documented in a report by the Institute for Responsible Technology.
• Rice is one the few largely unmodified major crops. An experiment with LL601 GM rice did not go as planned.
• Lundberg Farms has an extensive list of verified non-GMO products.

Listener E-mails

• Bree in California loves her new Eco Smart washer and dryer, but also wants use a laundry line (her HOA says no). Visit Project Laundry List and fight for your right!
• Sandy in New York wonders if it's eco-friendly to keep charging his beloved Kindle. We think so, especially if you hook it up to a solar charger.
• Lisa in Wisconsin shares a story about therapists reporting an increase in green disputes.
• Chris in Montana (not for long!) wants some Hipster tips! Know any great blogs or mags about gardening and self-sufficiency? Val recommends Mary Jane's Farm.
• Sebastien in Canada (eh!) sent an article about water bottles of yore: revigators. Because radioactive water is good for what ails you.
• Steve in Philadelphia wants us to sample sucky wheat-free beers for him. The things we do for our listeners...

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More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.