MARKET REPORT - NOV. 11TH, 2015

Some news about our friend Monsanto and GMO’s

Just some quick notes on this holiday, and gap between storms – another deluge is forecast for coastal BC tonight, stretching into the interior, with another 100mm of rain expected – El Nino or not, and despite seasonal forecasts from the Canadian Weather Office, Europe Met Services and NOOA which called for an extra mild fall with normal rain –well, those are out the window - this is obviously payback time for that rainless 6 months we sweated through. And now – some news about our friend Monsanto and GMO’s.  “Yet another study has shown Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosphate to be carcinogenic and has prompted the World Health Organization to recognize it as such.  This was first announced to the public last week at the 3rd National Congress of Doctors for Fumigated Communities in Buenos Aires.  Scientific studies have linked the chemicals in Monsanto's biocides to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s disease, autism and cancer. Furthermore, as the most powerful multinational biotech corporation today, Monsanto has drawn the ire of farmers and consumers for its firm grip on the global food chain. The company's control and advancement of GMO seeds is of prime concern, as they symbolize the company's consolidation of agricultural processes.The effects of biochemicals on wildlife, including pollinators such as honeybees and monarch butterflies, are also a point of concern. For instance, since 1990, about 970 million of the butterflies – 90 percent of the total population – have vanished across the United States, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. At least part of the blame rests on the boom in Roundup use. The herbicide is marketed to farmers and homeowners as an effective method for eliminating plants like milkweed, so it's widely blamed for decimating the butterflies’ only source of food in the Midwest.One of our old friends Alberto Hidalgo (remember Green Tribe blueberries) has been an active organizer against GMO’s and Roundup in Chile, where in some towns surrounded by conventional fields, up to 50% of the children suffer or die from stomach cancer.This doesn’t stop at food production – a recent study in Argentina found that in at least one test, 100% of tampons, which are produced from GMO cotton contained some trace of carcinogenic Roundup.  (92% of the cotton grown in the US is Roundup Ready.)As we mentioned on Friday, last week we lost one of the greatest champions known for organics, certification standards, and an on-going fight against GMOs – Mary Forstbauer.  Annie and I were privileged to be amongst 500+ people who attended her memorial, an incredible celebration of life, and a life that ended far too early.  The Forstbauer clan (12 kids, 33 grandkids) have now established a Mary Forstbauer trust, all proceeds intended to help battle GMO’s.We have some great specials for you for the next 10 days, and excellent promotional opportunities.  Our cup runneth over on many veg items.  We had an unexpected overlap between our Agrofresco contract that kicked in 10 days ago, and the final harvest from a couple of local growers – so we are, as of this morning, quite overwhelmed with broccoli and kale.  Your help would be appreciated – the quality is superb!