New Research Shows Cheese and Yogurt Are Good for You
Source: Andrea Goh, Flickr
Current nutritional guidelines suggest limiting high fat dairy in our diets, however, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, presented before the European Society of Cardiology challenges these guidelines. Researchers determined a diet high in cultured milk products reduced the risk of stroke and other causes of death among the almost 25,000 survey participants. These results encourage eating full-fat cheese and yogurt as part of a healthy diet. To avoid pesticide and antibiotic residues, Cornucopia recommends only organic dairy foods. Use our Organic Dairy Scorecard to determine which brand is best for your family.
You may have already heard that the proposed Farm Bill includes deep cuts to SNAP. A section of the House’s version of the Farm Bill could also remove local communities’ ability to prohibit toxic pesticide spraying around their children.
The Farm Bill conferees have until September 30 to pass legislation, or funding runs out for all Farm Bill programs. At the time of this writing, it is rumored to be near completion and will then need to pass a Congressional vote. Cornucopia suggests you contact your Member(s) of Congress and tell them to support Farm Bill language that protects our children, small farms, conservation funding, and the integrity of the organic label. Read more on the Farm Bill.
Ask the NOSB to Uphold Real Organic Integrity – by October 4
At the spring National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting, Cornucopia’s policy experts shared our research regarding fraudulent organic grain imports from former Soviet Bloc countries entering U.S. ports via free trade zones in Turkey. We also voiced concerns about the increasing representation of the industrial model of production under the organic seal. Our staff will again represent organic family farmers on these issues, and provide coverage of the proceedings, at the October NOSB meeting. Your comments to the NOSB, via Regulations.gov, are critical to the integrity of the organic label. Beyond Pesticides created analysis and sample text to aid in writing them, due October 4.
E. Coli Found on Romaine Lettuce Came from Neighboring Feedlot
Source: Peter Thoeny, Flickr
In March 2018, people across the nation began to fall ill from E. coli, but the FDA struggled to find the source. It appeared to come from multiple fields of romaine lettuce, and none of their existing models could explain the contamination. Researchpublished in 2015 had foreseen the culprit: massive cattle feedlots nearby. Cattle concentrated in dry feedlots kick up dust, which often contains E. coli and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Grazing cattle on pasture does not pose the same risk. For your health, as well as that of livestock and the environment, Cornucopia recommends beef and dairy from organic, 100% grass-fed cattle.
Cornucopia Codirector Mark Kastel will give the keynote speech “The Crisis in the Organic Dairy Movement: History, Analysis, and What Farmers Can Do to Balance the Playing Field” at the 18th annual Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) Field Days in Maryland on September 27 and 28. This event features reliable tools and practical strategies to help farmers weather the current dairy crisis without sacrificing organic integrity. It is free for organic dairy farmers. If you are not an organic dairy farmer and would like to attend Mark’s speech, NODPA is graciously offering a discount.
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The Cornucopia Institute
is a nonprofit organization engaged in research and educational activities supporting the ecological principles and economic wisdom underlying sustainable and organic agriculture. Through research and investigations on agricultural and food issues, The Cornucopia Institute provides needed information to family farmers, consumers, stakeholders involved in the good food movement, and the media.
