VIROQUA, Wis., Nov. 21, 2023/PRNewswire/ — The packaging on organic food typically conjures feelings of local charm and homegrown goodness. But in an increasingly consolidated marketplace, major corporations are often calling the shots on popular organic brands. Consolidation creates not only outsized profits, but outsized influence on food policy: According to Cornucopia’s research, among the… Read more »
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to reinstate the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) Rule through new rulemaking, after the previous final rule was withdrawn by the Trump administration. In his statement on June 17, 2021, USDA Secretary Vilsack noted that the new rulemaking would address the prior administration’s reasoning for abandoning the… Read more »
Dean Foods, the largest domestic milk producer, announced on November 12 that it was filing for bankruptcy. The company’s organic portfolio is anemic after packaging its former branded products division as WhiteWave Foods in 2013. In 2017, Organic Valley controversially partnered with Dean Foods on a joint bottling venture. After Dean’s bankruptcy announcement, Organic Valley… Read more »
You may have seen the study suggesting that organic agriculture actually creates more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional agriculture. The Cornucopia Institute has observed research on this topic often comes from an industrial agriculture viewpoint. For more on this issue, read “Big Ag’s Long Arms in Scientific Research.”
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) recently unveiled new materials that showcase the benefits of pasture-raised livestock and poultry, including how pasturing improves animal welfare and soil health. They also highlight studies that show pasturing produces meat, milk, and eggs with superior nutrition when compared with conventionally raised livestock. The handouts on FACT’s website include information… Read more »
The crisis in organic dairy is ongoing, with many family scale organic farms barely staying afloat or already out of business. Source: Taylor Bennett, Flickr Ethical farmers believe this crisis is perpetuated by differing applications of the “origin of livestock” rules in the organic standards. And some certifiers do appear to allow their dairy clients… Read more »
Cornucopia has long called on the USDA to stop fraudulent organic grain imports from crossing U.S. borders. Cases of fraudulent organic grain imports originating from Eastern Europe are well documented, as is the USDA’s failure to expeditiously investigate and impose penalties on bad actors intent on defrauding American farmers and consumers. Source: Chesapeake Bay Program,… Read more »
Chlorpyrifos is a widely-used pesticide with a trail of evidence of harm to children’s brain development. Prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos is known to reduce gray matter in fetuses and subsequently to lower IQs in children. EPA research has confirmed this danger, and the chemical was slated to be banned by the Obama administration. The decision,… Read more »
Cornucopia Director of Domestic Policy Kestrel Burcham, JD While industrial organic operations forsake the synthetic fertilizers and toxic chemicals of conventional agriculture, authentic organic farms provide numerous ecosystem services for the benefit of all. As the landscape of organic evolves, Cornucopia continues to monitor the industry and its regulation. The best organic farmers offer more… Read more »
Cornucopia continues to investigate organic grain imports and monitor USDA efforts to stop the flow of fraudulent organic grain into the U.S. John Bobbe and Cornucopia’s Anne Ross The article below features the impactful work of John Bobbe, the former executive director of OFARM, the largest organic grain cooperative in the U.S. Bobbe has worked… Read more »
