Country-of-origin labeling?

This article was originally published in September 2015

The U.S. House repealed Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in the middle of a longstanding but unfinished trade dispute at the World Trade Organization. The Senate now will consider repealing or converting COOL to a voluntary claim, allowing meatpackers to decide if consumers can know the origin of beef, pork, fresh seafood and single-ingredient vegetables and nuts.

PCC has advocated and supported COOL at least since 2008 and this appears to be the final stage of the long-running fight for transparency. PCC joined with Food & Water Watch in sending a letter to Senate Committee members, urging them not to be hasty and not to act until the trade dispute with WTO follows due process to completion.

Also in this issue

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Read about California almond woes, WSU testing a robotic apple picker, the egg shortage that has bakers scrambling, the threat of warm water to local salmon, and more.

PCC Board of Trustees report, September 2015

Board meeting report, Bylaws review, Message from nominating committee, and more

Your co-op community, September 2015

CHOMP!, Food bank packaging work parties, Blood drive, and more