Organic controversy

This article was originally published in July 2014

PCC has sent a letter of protest to the Secretary of Agriculture about significant changes to the voting process for the “sunset” of synthetics in the National Organic Program (NOP).

Instead of requiring a two-thirds vote by the National Organic Standards Board to keep a synthetic in use, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will require a two-thirds vote to remove a synthetic from use. In effect, the change means only six votes (instead of 10) will be needed out of 15 to keep a synthetic in use.

PCC agrees with the co-authors of the 1990 Organic Food Production Act, Sen. Leahy and Rep. DeFazio, that the changes violate the intent and letter of the law. We’re asking USDA to reverse the changes.

Read the letter to the USDA and NOP »

Also in this issue

Letters to the editor, July 2014

Choose organic to avoid pesticides, Vendor goes non-GE, Organic calf care, and more

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Crazy for coconut

The appetite for all things coconut seems insatiable. Just look at our grocery shelves and you'll find coconut water; coconut oil; coconut flour; coconut chips; coconut milk, yogurt, and ice cream; even raw coconut vinegar and coconut sugar.

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PCC opens 10th store

PCC opened its 10th store, Greenlake Village, on June 4, with a ribbon-cutting and a celebration that lasted for days. Shoppers enjoyed lots of free samples of PCC's signature deli salads, and of course, cake! There was so much energy in the store that one delighted shopper said, "this is so exciting, it feels like a concert!"

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