Letter from our Director, Zen Honeycutt
As February winds and bitter cold segway into hints of March weather, a few hours of warmth a day coax the sprouting of daffodils on our farm. Spring is soon on its way and I am itching to plant more seeds.
I learned recently from Caleb Warnock, the Renaissance Gardener on our Monday Night Moms Connect Call, that we can plant seeds in the ground in February as soon as the ground is workable. We don’t have to be so careful about managing all of the cool season planting, 2-4-6 weeks before the last frost, and guessing when that might be.
Lee masGlyphosate Exposure During Pregnancy Raises Child’s Risk of Poor Brain Function
A study published in Environmental Research finds an association between adverse neurodevelopment (brain function and development) among infants and exposure to the herbicide Glifosato during pregnancy (gestational).
Lee masThe Truth About Synthetic Milk: What’s Inside That Has Never Been Consumed or Safety Tested
The great American — and global reaching — experiment with lab-created “food” continues to expand with the introduction of fake milk products currently used by more than a dozen food brands distributed by major retailers across the country. But recent testing by the Health Research Institute (HRI) found 92 unknown compounds and significant nutrient deficiencies in one of these brands, Bored Cow��s synthetic milk — produced from a “form of genetic engineering.” Over a dozen companies use similar formulations in products like cream cheese, smoothies and ice cream. Bored Cow, is offering a synthetic whey protein, coined "ProFerm," courtesy of biotech firm, Perfect Day. This synthetic protein is dubbed genetically modified "microflora."
Lee masChipotle Invests in Chemical Free Weed Management Robotics!
We are delighted that Chipotle has announced its investment in Greenfield Robotics – Robots for Regenerative Agriculture. Chipotle was one of the first major restaurant brands to go GMO-free and had the lowest level of the damaging agro-toxin glyphosate in our recent independent testing of the top 20 fast food brands. Their dedication to sourcing healthy ingredients continues with this latest announcement. As far as we know no other fast food chain is taking these bold and admirable steps.
While conventional farming destroys weeds with chemicals and soil tillage, resulting in escalating costs, soil erosion and degradation of soil, resistant weeds, and health risks for both wildlife and humans. Greenfield Robotics, provides regenerative agriculture solutions without chemicals. Their fleets of autonomous robots are lightweight and cut weeds between rows of broadacre crops, reducing dependence on toxic herbicides while supporting regenerative farming practices.
This is not only good for the immediate health of consumers of Chipotle food but the robotic technology offers long-term savings to farmers by improving soil health and crop yield, reducing dependency on chemicals, reducing crop damage, mitigating environmental risks, and eliminating concerns over herbicide resistance.
Lee masFDA Slow Ban on Supplements
From Alliance for Natural Health
The agency recently made a big announcement about a regulation that could eliminate 41,700 products from the market. We need to keep up the pressure to protect access. Action Alert!
THE TOPLINE
- The FDA announced that it will release the final version of the “new dietary ingredient” (NDI) guidance in several distinct pieces.
- This is deeply concerning because 1) it shows the extent of the focus the agency wants to dedicate to this guidance, and 2) it prolongs the uncertainty regarding NDI notification procedures, increasing the chances that Big Pharma can use the FDA’s back-channel to steal more natural products.
- It is increasingly looking like the FDA is following in the footsteps of the European Union’s restrictive supplement regulations in order to create a harmonized, global market.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Inorganic Mercury Assessment in Baby Formula
There is a paucity of adequate nutrition information regarding children’s health, and what nutritional guidelines do exist have been hijacked by industry and political influence. Governmental subsidy programs allow for the production of inexpensive sweeteners, frequently marketed directly to children. The production of these ultra processed ‘foods’ has resulted in the use of toxic additives that contaminate our food supply. Children are exposed to greater amounts due to their smaller size compared to adults.
Lee masThe Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food
Reposted from Consumer Reports - Lauren F. Friedman
Consumer Reports (CR) tested popular fast foods and supermarket staples for bisphenols and phthalates, which can be harmful to your health. Here's what we found—and how to stay safer.
By the time you open a container of yogurt, the food has taken a long journey to reach your spoon. You may have some idea of that journey: From cow to processing to packaging to store shelves. But at each step, there is a chance for a little something extra to sneak in, a stowaway of sorts that shouldn’t be there.
Lee masOpen Letter From Moms Across America To the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) – Grantee of 1.1 Million Tax Dollars
Dear Ms. Debbie Stabenow,
We, at Moms Across America, are happy to hear that the USDA awarded the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) an allocation of $1.1 million to five organizations to improve our children’s school lunches across the nation. According to the USDA, it is up to the parents to make this change possible for their children.
Lee masUSDA Initiative Launched to ‘Enhance Equity in Child Nutrition Programs’: Opportunity to Push for Real Change in Children’s Abysmal Nutrition
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) have announced an allocation of $1.1 million to five organizations, claiming to, “investigate and dismantle barriers to equitable access in federal child nutrition programs. The initiative, titled the Equitable Access in Child Nutrition Programs project, seeks to enhance the effectiveness of programs crucial for the well-being and development of children across the nation.”
We, at Moms Across America, think that any funds targeted towards improvement of school lunch access should include enhancement in the form of sourcing food without GMOs, glyphosate (a proven neurotoxin and carcinogen), other toxic chemicals, heavy metals, veterinary drugs and hormones and food with more nutrients. The current food supply, including current school meals, is so low in essential vitamins and minerals as to make it virtually impossible to even get the minimum daily requirements children need to function and develop normally.
Lee masGenetically Engineered Soil Microbes: Responsible Agriculture Takes Another Hit
In the era of Big Biotech reign and genetic engineering, the introduction of genetically modified (GE) soil microbes into agriculture raises significant concerns. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have jurisdiction over different types of GE microbes and neither organization has developed regulations that account for their unique properties, leaving corporate agriculture giants to their own devices.
Lee mas