Rock the Barn: A Bicycle Tour for California Prop 37, the Labeling of GMOs

Press Release
Oakland, CA - August 1st, 2012

Rock the Barn: A Bicycle Tour for California Prop 37, the Labeling of GMOs

Summer temperatures, Olympic competitions, and the presidential election are not the only things heating up these days. This August, a promotional bicycle tour hopes to fan the flames of a highly controversial issue--the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on many packaged food products sold in California. Proposition 37, also known as the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act, would make California the first state in the country to require labeling of GMO ingredients if passed at the voting booths this November. With the whole nation watching, groups on both sides of the issue are competing for votes. However, three friends are taking a slightly different publicity strategy.

Musician Becky White and husband Nathan Pundt, drummer for their band the Secret Mission, (http://www.beckywhitemusic.org) along with friend James Miller, are taking to California's Highway One--by bicycle--to raise awareness about the bill, and to encourage citizens to "educate themselves about food justice". The trio will ride over 500 miles, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, in just 10 days, all while carrying enough musical instruments, including a saxophone and guitar, to 'rock out' along the way. "We decided to call our tour 'Rock the Barn' because we want this to connect to the growing movement here in California of organic farmers, chefs and lovers of delicious (non-GMO) food," says White. "We also want this to be fun. Come celebrate the future we need."

The proposition made its way onto the November ballot after more than 1 million voter signatures were collected--nearly double the required amount. Justlabelit.org, a pro-labeling campaign group, conducted polls which show that 92% of Americans want labeling on GE foods. "California tends to set the precedent on things like this," said Miller, "and we decided to do a big bike ride because we want people to understand that this is a big issue. This could be the tipping point for GMO labeling." Opponents of labeling claim that GMO foods are not different than non-GMO foods, and that labeling could increase food costs. When asked about the potential consequences of the bill, Pundt replied, "Everyone has a right to know what's in their food. Just like we have nutrition facts and ingredients, we should have GMO labels."

Rock the Barn starts in San Francisco on August 6th. More information about the tour, including on-the-road updates, can be found on the tour's website, http://www.makeartnow.org. The tour is also on facebook, facebook.com/rockthebarnride, and twitter, @Rock_The_Barn



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James Miller
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