Isn’t shopping for food becoming scary? One doesn’t know what is safe and what shoud be avoided. First it was spinach, then lettuce and now tomatoes that were considered the source of a salmonella contamination. And now the Government is telling us that it isn’t sure of the source of this most recent contamination.
So what are we to do? We must eat something and we certainly don’t want to get salmonella poisoning by eating what we thought was a healthy salad.
One thing we can and should do is know where our foods come from. The best way to do that is to buy local produce which includes vegetables, fruits, meats, fowl, eggs and dairy. I live in a rural area and I am beginning to see more and more local farm stands. Even the local small food markets are selling local produce and meats. The closer one is to its food source, the more knowledge one can obtain regarding the food.
There are some links to sources for local farms at this link…
Which brings me to Monsanto. This company is terrorizing the farmers of the midwest and around the world. Monsanto’s goal is to be the source for food on this planet. The current food crises is a direct result of nations allowing Monsanto to decide which crops to plant, what seeds to use and what (expensive) fertilizers are needed. And Monsanto is relentless in tracking down farmers and threatening them with lawsuits for saving seed and using this saved seed in subsequent plantings. Even if the farmer never bought Monsanto seed, this corporation has so much money that it would bankrupt a farmer in legal fees to prove their innocence.
Back to that contaminated tomato… where was the source for that contaminated vegetable? Either the Government really doesn’t know or they just won’t tell us.
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7 Comments
July 12, 2008 at 12:58 pm
If Monsanto’s seeds from another farmer’s crops blow into your farm and start growing, Monsanto will try to bankrupt you in court, even if it wasn’t your fault. I couldn’t care less if Monsanto sold off all of their assets and never grew another crop in this country again. They don’t care if you live or die, only that you, or your survivors, buy their products.
Capitalism has gotten out of control in this country, and people are dying because of it. Not everything should be “settled by The Market”. “The Market” will not find the “best” solutions, only the most profitable ones, and they are not always the best by any stretch of the imagination. Not everything should be measured in terms of money. There are some things that are more important than money. (But try telling a Republican that.)
July 12, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I met an organic farmer that has to plant his crops two weeks after his neighbors just so that his crops don’t get contaminated by “Monsanto” franken pollen. When a farmer plants Monsanto seeds, the plants won’t grow unless the farmer uses Monsanto fertilizer. That’s how genetically modified the seed has become.
July 12, 2008 at 2:43 pm
The organic farmer also runs the risk of being sued if genes (pollen) from Monsanto cross over to his crop. Should I patent mine? I would be more than welcome to market them. Anyone with an STD would not be open to this offer.
July 12, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I know - TMI.
July 12, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Walt - funny.
The farmers in southern Mexico are being targeted by Monsanto. These farmers are being told what to look for in a genetically modified corn stalk which looks entirely different than the native corn.
July 12, 2008 at 2:56 pm
When you have the time, watch this video.
http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=105
You can also listen to it. It’s more important to hear the message than to see the pictures, although the pictures help.
July 13, 2008 at 4:41 am
Great post Cats
Monsanto sued a farmer in Canada almost out of existance. They gave him bad seeds and it killed other crops he had.
This is one of the reasons I started a big garden this year. It is alot of work, but I have found I really enjoy it. Everything tastes so much better. I have the stardard tomatoes and greenpeppers. But I also planted onions, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and summer squash. I have harvested all the onions and broccoli already. Now the zucchini and squash are coming in.
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