Non-GMO Month -- Why it matters

Welcome to the October 2014 

Natural Living Blog Carnival: 

Advocating for Our Food Supply.  

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and the Green Moms Network. Since October is Non-GMO Month, National Farm to School Month and Fair Trade Month, we are naturally talking about our food supply. Be sure to read all of the other posts listed at the bottom of mine! You may find stories about why it's important to eat organic, support non-GMO awareness (and labeling), grow your own food and eat a real food diet. You may also find some new recipes or learn what real foods or gadgets are staples in our members' kitchens. This month it's all about food! 

We recognize quite a few causes in October. Yesterday, for instance, was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. And, of course, the world is awash in pink as people buy products full of carcinogens to show their support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Like there's really no one out there who isn't aware. Yeah, things like pink fracking drill bits do a lot to make people informed. Sorry, but all this pinkwashing gets me a bit riled up. And going braless for a day does absolutely nothing to help those suffering from this insidious disease. As a matter of fact, from what I've read, it actually upsets some of those who have lost a breast or two. Seeing yours flapping by does not encourage them one bit.

One cause I can really stand behind (braless or not) is Non-GMO Month. I mean, seriously. If there is something we need to raise awareness of, it's GMOs, don't you think? There are far too many people out there who are simply not informed as to the damaging effects GMOs are having on the environment, the animals, and the human population. It's devastating, and unless people get involved and make their voice, and their wallets, heard, it's just going to get worse. With corporate giants like Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow, and Bayer pushing their genetically-modified agenda at us, we're doomed to succumb to the monster they've created. Or are we? They may be tromping around as a corporate Goliath, but we've been practicing with our slingshots and we're shooting a bunch of stones their way. Remember, David was just a young shepherd boy when he slew Goliath. Let's follow his lead, folks. Let's load up our slingshots and get involved!

One way to stay on top of things as the battle wages on is to follow the Non-GMO Verified Project on Facebook and Twitter. And, for the rest of October, check out their Non-GMO Month website for info, daily giveaways, calendar of events, and more!

While you're on the website, check out the 2066 retailers across the country which are participating in Non-GMO Month. You can search by state. I was happy to see Pittsburgh's East End Food Bank and Marty's Market among those participating.

Why does it matter? Here's an explanation from the Non-GMO Project's website:

"In 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered proven safe. In the U.S. on the other hand, the FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale. Many health-conscious shoppers find the lack of rigorous, independent, scientific examination on the impact of consuming GM foods to be cause for concern."

Cause for concern? You better believe it. Remember that those who are claiming the safety of genetically modified organisms are also the ones benefiting financially from all of this. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization. In other words, they have nothing to gain in terms of riches. But let me tell you, they're paid beyond anything they could have imagined each time they save a life that could have been destroyed by consuming genetically engineered foods. 

Do I avoid GMOs at all costs? Unfortunately, I do not. I like to eat out and not all my groceries are non-GMO or organic. But I try to avoid as many genetically modified foods as I can. I've made some strides, but it never seems to be enough as Monsanto's spawns keep creeping into more and more of the food we used to consider safe and healthy.

Why does it matter? Because we're raising children in this world. And those children should have the right and the opportunity to go out into a field, like I did when I was a child, pick a strawberry, and bite into it, letting its juicy sweetness run down their chins without worrying about the poison they are ingesting. That's why it matters to me. It's all about the children.

Do your part. Make your voice be heard. Spend your money wisely. Pick up your slingshot and few smooth stones. It's time for David to march.

Visit Happy Mothering and to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival! Please take some time to enjoy the posts our other carnival participants have contributed: