A smart, conscientious consumer recently posed the following question to us:
I am not a member of the co-op, but am now seriously considering joining. I have become educated about Genetically Modified Organisms and their impact on our bodies and planet. I was reading information on the web of Institute For Responsible Technology and you were registered there, but there was nothing about your policies on GMOs. What is the Co-op’s policy concerning GMOs?
Co-op Education and Member Services Director Rosemary Fifield replied:
Thank you for contacting us regarding this issue. The Co-op does not have policies in terms of excluding products. Because of the diversity of our membership (25,000 households) and our history of starting in 1936, when all food was natural and organic, we are not organized as a natural food store. Instead, our policy is to educate our members and shoppers about issues surrounding food production and let them make informed choices. We distribute the Non-GMO Shopping Guide from Institute for Responsible Technology, for instance, which is why we are mentioned on their site.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions. We would love to have you join the Co-op to help support giving others the type of food education of which you are obviously in favor.
Got a question? We’d love to hear from you.
