Santa Cruz Co. Mobilizes for "California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act"

by Bradley Stuart (bradley [at] riseup.net)

Sun, Feb 19, 2012 1:20PM

On February 18th, dozens of trained signature gathering volunteers held a launch event for the "California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act" at the Santa Cruz Live Oak Green Grange. The event was hosted by GMO-Free Right to Know! Santa Cruz, the organizing group for trained signature gathering volunteers throughout Santa Cruz County, and one of the most active groups in the state working to pass this historic ballot initiative.

Mayor of the City of Santa Cruz, Don Lane, kicked things off by stressing the importance of the ballot initiative and knowing which of the foods we eat are made with genetically modified ingredients. Lane said he was taking time away from being with his grandchildren who were visiting from out of the area, but felt they would understand because their health would benefit by the labeling of genetically modified foods.

Local campaign organizers, including Tarah, Mary, Patti, and Kyle, provided updates from a very successful first morning of collecting signatures, and also reviewed various legal rules, as well as agreements specific to the campaign. After that, a modest raffle was held, then volunteers signed up for locations to gather signatures, and received materials such as petitions, table signs, volunteer badges and sandwich board signs.

GMO-Free Right to Know! Santa Cruz has set a goal of collecting 10,000 signatures, but expects to reach that goal easily, and keep on gathering. Statewide, the effort is being led by The Committee for the Right to Know, a grassroots coalition of consumer, public health, environmental organizations, and food companies in California seeking the labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMOs).

The initiative needs 504,760 valid signatures to make it on the November 2012 ballot. Signatures can get thrown out (invalidated) for a number of reasons: being illegible, spelling mistakes, wrong county, etc. Therefore, the campaign aims to collect more than 800,000 signatures to make sure they have enough that qualify.

For more information, please see:

California State Grange Supports GMO Labeling for November Ballot
by Dan Bacher
Saturday Feb 18th, 2012
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/02/18/18707651.php

The Committee for the Right to Know
http://www.labelgmos.org/

Santa Cruz County Label GMOs Group, GMO-Free Santa Cruz
http://www.labelgmos.org/santacruz

GMO-Free Right to Know! Santa Cruz
http://www.facebook.com/nongmosantacruz

For more information: http://bradleystuart.net/

§Mary

by Bradley Stuart

Sun, Feb 19, 2012 1:20PM