Guest guest Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Even John Stossel from ABC news did a story that told us that Conventionally grown vegies were safer than Organic because of the e-coli in the manure. Later, Stossel had to admit he'd been paid to do the story. When it comes to anything that has $$$ as an underpinning, you will find scientists on both sides of the issue. We live in the era of Science of the Lowest Bidder. The Tobacco Scientists had to go somewhere, so now they work for the FDA, DOW Chemical, Monsanto, and anyone who can pay their salary. Look at the AMA; at any moment they can find 10 doctors who will stand up in court and testify that vitamins do nothing. DavidSee what's free at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 In a message dated 5/7/2007 7:40:54 P.M. Central Daylight Time, writes: The media, and our elected officials receive a constant bombardment of official releases and planted stories from mainstream medicine. About all they ever receive that they print about alternative and natural remedies is negative information - especially stories about bogus remedies that are used to paint all competition to man-made drugs with the same broad snake-oil brush. You must read The Drug Story, by Morris Beal; there are a few copies to be found on the web. After the stock market collapse, Rockefeller bought out all the papers, but kept Hearst in charge as a figure head. At the AP Wire Service, they put a physician whose job it was to edit, censor, or scotch any news story on medicine that did not fit their overall plan. At one point, they even planted a false story of a man who had hopped a bus in Texas, went to NY and died of Small Pox (or something like that) or TB....which immediately caused millions of Americans to line up for vaccines netting the Rockefellers some 10 million bux overnight. The man had actually died of a bronchial infection. “A free press can of course be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom it will never be anything but bad.†Albert CamusSee what's free at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 From the New Your Times (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says, " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture — not better, not worse, " UGH!) Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods The New York Times By MELANIE WARNER Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less. Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work developing organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese. Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to sell more organic food — and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart usually gets what it wants. As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its large suppliers to help. Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in substantial ways. Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal-Mart's efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed organically and the quantities of organic food available to the public. But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers, will lower standards for the production of organic food and will undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic products. " It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional standpoint, " said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. " It's a ploy to be able to charge more for junk food. " Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment. Organic food — whether produce, meat or grain — must be grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives, flavors or colors, among other things. When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will have to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings are negligible. Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer, John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents. Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and lower prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of organic products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller of organic milk. While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the last 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years, though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push. Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food initiatives, asserted: " What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All these companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that it has an opportunity to become a big business. " Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies and organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal-Mart. But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic about the product. In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word `organic' at the top in giant letters. Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006. These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at other major retailers. Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, which owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those products. DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, said the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, " Once we let the companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to take it seriously, they moved pretty fast. " Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it aimed to change the way people think about the retailer. " Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products, " Mr. Peterson said. " We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that business.' " The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu, which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below those of brand organic products. Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing them up. But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies for strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He said Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic agriculture and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers. " This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't work in organic, " Mr. Cummins said. " Their business model is going to wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all competitors. " Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not enough supply. " They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like China, " he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards and labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer would consider equitable. " Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the United States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that share to increase. Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now getting any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if that will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory systems. Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic farming will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food. Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different from many of those involved in the field. " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture — not better, not worse, " he said. " This is like any other merchandising scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For those customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice Krispies, we now have an alternative for them. " Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment and to human health. But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to position their organic versions as superior to the original. " We have no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are somehow not great brands, " Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said. Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative BHT. Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means different things to different people. " It's a multifaceted symbol representing everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in between, " he said. " It's something that lets people feel even better about their choices. " With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of food available to Americans. " People want you to offer them organic and natural, " said David Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. " But sometimes, they just want to eat a Pop-Tart. " The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Look at the AMA; at any moment they can find 10 doctors who will stand up in court and testify that vitamins do nothing. Which is exactly what they did for about 4 decades before finally admitting that perhaps vitamins had some benefit after all.The mainstream media is pretty much controlled by the medical establishment propagandaan and lobbying machinery. When you have billions to spend annually promoting your products and suppressing competition, that is really not nearly as radical as it seems.I KNOW! I have tried time and again to get the story of oleander and other natural immune boosters and cancer fighters before the mainstream media. The best I have gotten is the occasional sympathetic reporter who is not one of the science or medical writers who has told me basically "forget it, our medical and science writers only believe what comes from the FDA or AMA".The media, and our elected officials receive a constant bombardment of official releases and planted stories from mainstream medicine. About all they ever receive that they print about alternative and natural remedies is negative information - especially stories about bogus remedies that are used to paint all competition to man-made drugs with the same broad snake-oil brush.Tonyoleander soup , ahzoov wrote:>> Even John Stossel from ABC news did a story that told us that Conventionally > grown vegies were safer than Organic because of the e-coli in the manure. > Later, Stossel had to admit he'd been paid to do the story.> > When it comes to anything that has $$$ as an underpinning, you will find > scientists on both sides of the issue. We live in the era of Science of the > Lowest Bidder. > > The Tobacco Scientists had to go somewhere, so now they work for the FDA, > DOW Chemical, Monsanto, and anyone who can pay their salary. > > Look at the AMA; at any moment they can find 10 doctors who will stand up in > court and testify that vitamins do nothing. > > David> > > > ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Walmart going organic? And they are working with big name food companies to go organic? That's a bit scary. What's wrong with this picture. Could this be a ploy by big business to get rid of real organic farming? oleander soup , " Tony " wrote: > > From the New Your Times > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says, > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > better, not worse, " UGH!) > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods > > The New York Times > By MELANIE WARNER > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less. > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work developing > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese. > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to sell > more organic food � and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart > usually gets what it wants. > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its > large suppliers to help. > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in > substantial ways. > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal- Mart's > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed organically > and the quantities of organic food available to the public. > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers, > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic > products. " It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional > standpoint, " said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food > studies and public health at New York University. " It's a ploy to be > able to charge more for junk food. " > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment. > Organic food � whether produce, meat or grain � must be grown without > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives, > flavors or colors, among other things. > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will have > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings > are negligible. > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer, > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents. > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and lower > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of organic > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller of > organic milk. > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the last > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years, > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push. > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food initiatives, > asserted: " What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All these > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that it > has an opportunity to become a big business. " > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies and > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal- Mart. > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic > about the product. > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word > `organic' at the top in giant letters. > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006. > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at > other major retailers. > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, which > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those products. > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, said > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, " Once we let the > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to take > it seriously, they moved pretty fast. " > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer. > > " Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products, " Mr. > Peterson said. " We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that > business.' " > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu, > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below > those of brand organic products. > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing them up. > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies for > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He said > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic agriculture > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers. > > " This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't > work in organic, " Mr. Cummins said. " Their business model is going to > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all > competitors. " > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not > enough supply. > > " They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like > China, " he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards and > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer would > consider equitable. " > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the United > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that > share to increase. > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now getting > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if that > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory > systems. > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic farming > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food. > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different from > many of those involved in the field. > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > better, not worse, " he said. " This is like any other merchandising > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For those > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them. " > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment and > to human health. > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to > position their organic versions as superior to the original. " We have > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are > somehow not great brands, " Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said. > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative BHT. > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means different > things to different people. " It's a multifaceted symbol representing > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in > between, " he said. " It's something that lets people feel even better > about their choices. " > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of food > available to Americans. > > " People want you to offer them organic and natural, " said David > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. " But sometimes, they just want > to eat a Pop-Tart. " > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Walmart gets rid of everybody! oleander soup , " May " <luellamay129 wrote: > > Walmart going organic? And they are working with big name food > companies to go organic? That's a bit scary. What's wrong with this > picture. > > Could this be a ploy by big business to get rid of real organic > farming? > > > > oleander soup , " Tony " @> wrote: > > > > From the New Your Times > > > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says, > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > > better, not worse, " UGH!) > > > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods > > > > The New York Times > > By MELANIE WARNER > > > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on > > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less. > > > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work > developing > > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice > > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese. > > > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to > sell > > more organic food � and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart > > usually gets what it wants. > > > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that > > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden > > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its > > large suppliers to help. > > > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in > > substantial ways. > > > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal- > Mart's > > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed > organically > > and the quantities of organic food available to the public. > > > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers, > > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will > > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some > > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic > > products. " It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional > > standpoint, " said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food > > studies and public health at New York University. " It's a ploy to be > > able to charge more for junk food. " > > > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater > > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment. > > Organic food � whether produce, meat or grain � must be grown > without > > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is > > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives, > > flavors or colors, among other things. > > > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will > have > > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But > > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings > > are negligible. > > > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products > > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent > > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer, > > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for > > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents. > > > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and > lower > > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of > organic > > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller > of > > organic milk. > > > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food > > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the > last > > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business > > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years, > > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push. > > > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in > > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food > initiatives, > > asserted: " What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All > these > > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that > it > > has an opportunity to become a big business. " > > > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies > and > > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal- > Mart. > > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was > > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic > > about the product. > > > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and > > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word > > `organic' at the top in giant letters. > > > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's > > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new > > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006. > > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at > > other major retailers. > > > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt > > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, > which > > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those > products. > > > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, > said > > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to > > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near > > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, " Once we let > the > > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to > take > > it seriously, they moved pretty fast. " > > > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it > > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer. > > > > " Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of > > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products, " > Mr. > > Peterson said. " We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that > > business.' " > > > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products > > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many > > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu, > > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines > > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below > > those of brand organic products. > > > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more > > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful > > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing > them up. > > > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of > > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies > for > > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He > said > > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic > agriculture > > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers. > > > > " This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't > > work in organic, " Mr. Cummins said. " Their business model is going > to > > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all > > competitors. " > > > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a > > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not > > enough supply. > > > > " They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like > > China, " he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards > and > > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer > would > > consider equitable. " > > > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the > United > > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly > > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that > > share to increase. > > > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now > getting > > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if > that > > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less > > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the > > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's > > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory > > systems. > > > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic > farming > > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting > > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food. > > > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different > from > > many of those involved in the field. > > > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > > better, not worse, " he said. " This is like any other merchandising > > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For > those > > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice > > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them. " > > > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale > > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and > > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce > > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment > and > > to human health. > > > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to > > position their organic versions as superior to the original. " We > have > > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are > > somehow not great brands, " Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said. > > > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of > > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative > BHT. > > > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means > different > > things to different people. " It's a multifaceted symbol representing > > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in > > between, " he said. " It's something that lets people feel even better > > about their choices. " > > > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic > > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic > > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of > food > > available to Americans. > > > > " People want you to offer them organic and natural, " said David > > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. " But sometimes, they just > want > > to eat a Pop-Tart. " > > > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 How can we stop them? May http://thecorner4women.com "Empowering Women Throughout the World" http://dipetanesoutheast.com Tony oleander soup Sent: Monday, May 7, 2007 10:23:05 PM Re: Walmart and Organics Walmart gets rid of everybody!oleander soup, " May" <luellamay129@ ...>wrote:>> Walmart going organic? And they are working with big name food > companies to go organic? That's a bit scary. What's wrong with this > picture.> > Could this be a ploy by big business to get rid of real organic > farming?> > > > oleander soup, "Tony" @> wrote:> >> > From the New Your Times> > > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says,> > "Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not> > better, not worse," UGH!)> > > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods> > > > The New York Times> > By MELANIE WARNER> > > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on> > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less.> > > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work > developing> > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice> > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese.> > > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to > sell> > more organic food � and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart> > usually gets what it wants.> > > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that> > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden> > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its> > large suppliers to help.> > > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in> > substantial ways.> > > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal-> Mart's> > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed > organically> > and the quantities of organic food available to the public.> > > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers,> > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will> > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some> > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic> > products. "It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional> > standpoint," said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food> > studies and public health at New York University. "It's a ploy to be> > able to charge more for junk food."> > > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater> > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment.> > Organic food � whether produce, meat or grain � must be grown > without> > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is> > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives,> > flavors or colors, among other things.> > > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will > have> > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But> > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings> > are negligible.> > > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products> > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent> > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer,> > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for> > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents.> > > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and > lower> > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of > organic> > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller > of> > organic milk.> > > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food> > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the > last> > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business> > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years,> > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push.> > > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in> > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food > initiatives,> > asserted: "What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All > these> > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that > it> > has an opportunity to become a big business."> > > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies > and> > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal-> Mart.> > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was> > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic> > about the product.> > > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and> > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word> > `organic' at the top in giant letters.> > > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's> > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new> > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006.> > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at> > other major retailers.> > > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt> > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, > which> > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those > products.> > > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, > said> > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to> > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near> > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, "Once we let > the> > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to > take> > it seriously, they moved pretty fast."> > > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it> > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer.> > > > "Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of> > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products," > Mr.> > Peterson said. "We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that> > business.' "> > > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products> > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many> > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu,> > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines> > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below> > those of brand organic products.> > > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more> > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful> > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing > them up.> > > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of> > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies > for> > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He > said> > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic > agriculture> > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers.> > > > "This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't> > work in organic," Mr. Cummins said. "Their business model is going > to> > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all> > competitors. "> > > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a> > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not> > enough supply.> > > > "They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like> > China," he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards > and> > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer > would> > consider equitable."> > > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the > United> > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly> > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that> > share to increase.> > > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now > getting> > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if > that> > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less> > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the> > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's> > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory> > systems.> > > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic > farming> > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting> > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food.> > > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different > from> > many of those involved in the field.> > > > "Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not> > better, not worse," he said. "This is like any other merchandising> > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For > those> > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice> > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them."> > > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale> > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and> > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce> > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment > and> > to human health.> > > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to> > position their organic versions as superior to the original. "We > have> > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are> > somehow not great brands," Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said.> > > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of> > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative > BHT.> > > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means > different> > things to different people. "It's a multifaceted symbol representing> > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in> > between," he said. "It's something that lets people feel even better> > about their choices."> > > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic> > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic> > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of > food> > available to Americans.> > > > "People want you to offer them organic and natural," said David> > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. "But sometimes, they just > want> > to eat a Pop-Tart."> > > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Shopping elsewhere. oleander soup , May <luellamay129 wrote: > > How can we stop them? > > May > http://thecorner4women.com > " Empowering Women Throughout the World " > http://dipetanesoutheast.com > > > > > > Tony > oleander soup > Monday, May 7, 2007 10:23:05 PM > Re: Walmart and Organics > > Walmart gets rid of everybody! > > oleander soup, " May " <luellamay129@ ...> > wrote: > > > > Walmart going organic? And they are working with big name food > > companies to go organic? That's a bit scary. What's wrong with this > > picture. > > > > Could this be a ploy by big business to get rid of real organic > > farming? > > > > > > > > oleander soup, " Tony " @> wrote: > > > > > > From the New Your Times > > > > > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says, > > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > > > better, not worse, " UGH!) > > > > > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods > > > > > > The New York Times > > > By MELANIE WARNER > > > > > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on > > > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less. > > > > > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work > > developing > > > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice > > > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese. > > > > > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to > > sell > > > more organic food � and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart > > > usually gets what it wants. > > > > > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that > > > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden > > > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its > > > large suppliers to help. > > > > > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in > > > substantial ways. > > > > > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal- > > Mart's > > > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed > > organically > > > and the quantities of organic food available to the public. > > > > > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers, > > > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will > > > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some > > > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic > > > products. " It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional > > > standpoint, " said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food > > > studies and public health at New York University. " It's a ploy to be > > > able to charge more for junk food. " > > > > > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater > > > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment. > > > Organic food � whether produce, meat or grain � must be grown > > without > > > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is > > > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives, > > > flavors or colors, among other things. > > > > > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will > > have > > > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But > > > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings > > > are negligible. > > > > > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products > > > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent > > > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer, > > > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for > > > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents. > > > > > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and > > lower > > > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of > > organic > > > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller > > of > > > organic milk. > > > > > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food > > > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the > > last > > > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business > > > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years, > > > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push. > > > > > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in > > > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food > > initiatives, > > > asserted: " What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All > > these > > > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that > > it > > > has an opportunity to become a big business. " > > > > > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies > > and > > > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal- > > Mart. > > > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was > > > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic > > > about the product. > > > > > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and > > > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word > > > `organic' at the top in giant letters. > > > > > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's > > > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new > > > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006. > > > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at > > > other major retailers. > > > > > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt > > > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, > > which > > > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those > > products. > > > > > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, > > said > > > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to > > > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near > > > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, " Once we let > > the > > > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to > > take > > > it seriously, they moved pretty fast. " > > > > > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it > > > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer. > > > > > > " Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of > > > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products, " > > Mr. > > > Peterson said. " We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that > > > business.' " > > > > > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products > > > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many > > > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu, > > > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines > > > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below > > > those of brand organic products. > > > > > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more > > > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful > > > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing > > them up. > > > > > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of > > > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies > > for > > > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He > > said > > > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic > > agriculture > > > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers. > > > > > > " This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't > > > work in organic, " Mr. Cummins said. " Their business model is going > > to > > > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all > > > competitors. " > > > > > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a > > > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not > > > enough supply. > > > > > > " They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like > > > China, " he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards > > and > > > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer > > would > > > consider equitable. " > > > > > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the > > United > > > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly > > > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that > > > share to increase. > > > > > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now > > getting > > > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if > > that > > > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less > > > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the > > > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's > > > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory > > > systems. > > > > > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic > > farming > > > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting > > > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food. > > > > > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different > > from > > > many of those involved in the field. > > > > > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > > > better, not worse, " he said. " This is like any other merchandising > > > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For > > those > > > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice > > > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them. " > > > > > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale > > > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and > > > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce > > > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment > > and > > > to human health. > > > > > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to > > > position their organic versions as superior to the original. " We > > have > > > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are > > > somehow not great brands, " Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said. > > > > > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of > > > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative > > BHT. > > > > > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means > > different > > > things to different people. " It's a multifaceted symbol representing > > > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in > > > between, " he said. " It's something that lets people feel even better > > > about their choices. " > > > > > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic > > > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic > > > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of > > food > > > available to Americans. > > > > > > " People want you to offer them organic and natural, " said David > > > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. " But sometimes, they just > > want > > > to eat a Pop-Tart. " > > > > > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 - Tony, Does big companies like Kellogs, etc. plan on using the depleted soil that they have been using to growing Organicly? With the past residue of pesticides and herbicides how can they come out and then say they are growing organicly. I would think they would have to use cover crops turned under for several years to build up the soil for organic farming. This would mean that they would have no income from that land during that time. And will they use crop rotation so as to provide the optimum nutrients for the plants. In raising organic you have to grow cover crops between plantings to keep the soil nutrients and humus up for the next crop. I don't know how many years it would take, if ever, to rid the soil of the pestasides, etc. Gene -- In oleander soup , " Tony " wrote: > > From the New Your Times > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says, > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture — not > better, not worse, " UGH!) > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods > > The New York Times > By MELANIE WARNER > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less. > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work developing > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese. > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to sell > more organic food — and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart > usually gets what it wants. > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its > large suppliers to help. > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in > substantial ways. > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal- Mart's > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed organically > and the quantities of organic food available to the public. > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers, > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic > products. " It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional > standpoint, " said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food > studies and public health at New York University. " It's a ploy to be > able to charge more for junk food. " > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment. > Organic food — whether produce, meat or grain — must be grown without > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives, > flavors or colors, among other things. > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will have > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings > are negligible. > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer, > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents. > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and lower > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of organic > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller of > organic milk. > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the last > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years, > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push. > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food initiatives, > asserted: " What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All these > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that it > has an opportunity to become a big business. " > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies and > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal- Mart. > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic > about the product. > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word > `organic' at the top in giant letters. > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006. > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at > other major retailers. > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, which > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those products. > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, said > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, " Once we let the > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to take > it seriously, they moved pretty fast. " > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer. > > " Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products, " Mr. > Peterson said. " We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that > business.' " > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu, > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below > those of brand organic products. > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing them up. > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies for > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He said > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic agriculture > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers. > > " This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't > work in organic, " Mr. Cummins said. " Their business model is going to > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all > competitors. " > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not > enough supply. > > " They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like > China, " he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards and > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer would > consider equitable. " > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the United > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that > share to increase. > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now getting > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if that > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory > systems. > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic farming > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food. > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different from > many of those involved in the field. > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture — not > better, not worse, " he said. " This is like any other merchandising > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For those > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them. " > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment and > to human health. > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to > position their organic versions as superior to the original. " We have > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are > somehow not great brands, " Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said. > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative BHT. > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means different > things to different people. " It's a multifaceted symbol representing > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in > between, " he said. " It's something that lets people feel even better > about their choices. " > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of food > available to Americans. > > " People want you to offer them organic and natural, " said David > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. " But sometimes, they just want > to eat a Pop-Tart. " > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 I hardly shop there anyway. Only when I am extremely lazy. I can stop shopping there altogether with no problem. Now.... How do we get the word out to others beside this forum? Post everywhere? May http://thecorner4women.com "Empowering Women Throughout the World" http://dipetanesoutheast.com Tony oleander soup Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2007 1:15:48 AM Re: Walmart and Organics Shopping elsewhere.Tonyoleander soup, May <luellamay129@ ...> wrote:>> How can we stop them? > > May> http://thecorner4wo men.com> "Empowering Women Throughout the World"> http://dipetanesout heast.com> > > > > > Tony @. ..>> oleander soup> Monday, May 7, 2007 10:23:05 PM> Re: Walmart and Organics> > Walmart gets rid of everybody!> > oleander soup, " May" <luellamay129@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Walmart going organic? And they are working with big name food > > companies to go organic? That's a bit scary. What's wrong with this > > picture.> > > > Could this be a ploy by big business to get rid of real organic > > farming?> > > > > > > > oleander soup, "Tony" @> wrote:> > >> > > From the New Your Times> > > > > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says,> > > "Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not> > > better, not worse," UGH!)> > > > > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods> > > > > > The New York Times> > > By MELANIE WARNER> > > > > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on> > > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less.> > > > > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work > > developing> > > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice> > > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese.> > > > > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to > > sell> > > more organic food � and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart> > > usually gets what it wants.> > > > > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that> > > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden> > > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its> > > large suppliers to help.> > > > > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in> > > substantial ways.> > > > > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal-> > Mart's> > > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed > > organically> > > and the quantities of organic food available to the public.> > > > > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers,> > > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will> > > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some> > > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic> > > products. "It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional> > > standpoint," said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food> > > studies and public health at New York University. "It's a ploy to be> > > able to charge more for junk food."> > > > > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater> > > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment.> > > Organic food � whether produce, meat or grain � must be grown > > without> > > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is> > > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives,> > > flavors or colors, among other things.> > > > > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will > > have> > > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But> > > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings> > > are negligible.> > > > > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products> > > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent> > > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer,> > > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for> > > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents.> > > > > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and > > lower> > > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of > > organic> > > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller > > of> > > organic milk.> > > > > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food> > > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the > > last> > > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business> > > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years,> > > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push.> > > > > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in> > > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food > > initiatives,> > > asserted: "What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All > > these> > > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that > > it> > > has an opportunity to become a big business."> > > > > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies > > and> > > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal-> > Mart.> > > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was> > > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic> > > about the product.> > > > > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and> > > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word> > > `organic' at the top in giant letters.> > > > > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal-Mart's> > > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new> > > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006.> > > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at> > > other major retailers.> > > > > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt> > > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, > > which> > > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those > > products.> > > > > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, > > said> > > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to> > > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near> > > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, "Once we let > > the> > > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to > > take> > > it seriously, they moved pretty fast."> > > > > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it> > > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer.> > > > > > "Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of> > > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products," > > Mr.> > > Peterson said. "We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that> > > business.' "> > > > > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products> > > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many> > > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu,> > > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines> > > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below> > > those of brand organic products.> > > > > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more> > > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful> > > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing > > them up.> > > > > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of> > > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies > > for> > > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He > > said> > > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic > > agriculture> > > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers.> > > > > > "This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't> > > work in organic," Mr. Cummins said. "Their business model is going > > to> > > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all> > > competitors. "> > > > > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a> > > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not> > > enough supply.> > > > > > "They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like> > > China," he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards > > and> > > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer > > would> > > consider equitable."> > > > > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the > > United> > > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly> > > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that> > > share to increase.> > > > > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now > > getting> > > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if > > that> > > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less> > > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the> > > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's> > > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory> > > systems.> > > > > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic > > farming> > > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting> > > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food.> > > > > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different > > from> > > many of those involved in the field.> > > > > > "Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not> > > better, not worse," he said. "This is like any other merchandising> > > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For > > those> > > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice> > > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them."> > > > > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large-scale> > > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and> > > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce> > > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment > > and> > > to human health.> > > > > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to> > > position their organic versions as superior to the original. "We > > have> > > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are> > > somehow not great brands," Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said.> > > > > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of> > > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative > > BHT.> > > > > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means > > different> > > things to different people. "It's a multifaceted symbol representing> > > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in> > > between," he said. "It's something that lets people feel even better> > > about their choices."> > > > > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic> > > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic> > > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of > > food> > > available to Americans.> > > > > > "People want you to offer them organic and natural," said David> > > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. "But sometimes, they just > > want> > > to eat a Pop-Tart."> > > > > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress> > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Hi Gene, Kelloggs is an Illuminati Family. Think about it. Would they really do all that with the interest of the people in mind, while not generating an income? That's one of the things that scared me half to death. Yet, the general public, who is not aware of this, and not educated as to what truly entails growing an organic crop, will believe this lie and think it is wonderful. So here go more profits for Walmart and the big food companies, while at the same time hurting the real organic farmers. oleander soup , " gene98583 " <eugene.mouncer wrote: > > - > Tony, > Does big companies like Kellogs, etc. plan on using the depleted > soil that they have been using to growing Organicly? With the past > residue of pesticides and herbicides how can they come out and then > say they are growing organicly. I would think they would have to use > cover crops turned under for several years to build up the soil for > organic farming. This would mean that they would have no income from > that land during that time. And will they use crop rotation so as to > provide the optimum nutrients for the plants. In raising organic you > have to grow cover crops between plantings to keep the soil nutrients > and humus up for the next crop. I don't know how many years it would > take, if ever, to rid the soil of the pestasides, etc. > > Gene > > > > -- In oleander soup , " Tony " @> wrote: > > > > From the New Your Times > > > > (Tony's note: You have to love it where Walmart exec Peterson says, > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > > better, not worse, " UGH!) > > > > Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods > > > > The New York Times > > By MELANIE WARNER > > > > Starting this summer, there will be a lot more organic food on > > supermarket shelves, and it should cost a lot less. > > > > Most of the nation's major food producers are hard at work > developing > > organic versions of their best-selling products, like Kellogg's Rice > > Krispies and Kraft's macaroni and cheese. > > > > Why the sudden activity? In large part because Wal-Mart wants to > sell > > more organic food � and because of its size and power, Wal-Mart > > usually gets what it wants. > > > > As the nation's largest grocery retailer, Wal-Mart has decided that > > offering more organic food will help modernize its image and broaden > > its appeal to urban and other upscale consumers. It has asked its > > large suppliers to help. > > > > Wal-Mart's interest is expected to change organic food production in > > substantial ways. > > > > Some organic food advocates applaud the development, saying Wal- > Mart's > > efforts will help expand the amount of land that is farmed > organically > > and the quantities of organic food available to the public. > > > > But others say the initiative will ultimately hurt organic farmers, > > will lower standards for the production of organic food and will > > undercut the environmental benefits of organic farming. And some > > nutritionists question the health benefits of the new organic > > products. " It's better for the planet, but not from a nutritional > > standpoint, " said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food > > studies and public health at New York University. " It's a ploy to be > > able to charge more for junk food. " > > > > Shoppers who have been buying organic food in steadily greater > > quantities consider it healthier and better for the environment. > > Organic food � whether produce, meat or grain � must be grown > without > > pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics. Then, before it is > > sold, the food cannot be treated with artificial preservatives, > > flavors or colors, among other things. > > > > When Wal-Mart sells organic food on a much broader scale, it will > have > > to meet the same Agriculture Department requirements. But > > nutritionists say the health benefits of many of these new offerings > > are negligible. > > > > Wal-Mart says it wants to democratize organic food, making products > > affordable for those who are reluctant to pay premiums of 20 percent > > to 30 percent. At a recent conference, its chief marketing officer, > > John Fleming, said the company intended to sell organic products for > > just 10 percent more than their conventional equivalents. > > > > Food industry analysts say that with its 2,000 supercenters and > lower > > prices, Wal-Mart could soon be the nation's largest seller of > organic > > products, surpassing Whole Foods. Already, it is the biggest seller > of > > organic milk. > > > > While organic food is still just 2.4 percent of the overall food > > industry, it has been growing at least 15 percent a year for the > last > > 10 years. Currently valued at $14 billion, the organic food business > > is expected to increase to $23 billion over the next three years, > > though that figure could rise further with Wal-Mart's push. > > > > Harvey Hartman, president of the Hartman Group, a consulting firm in > > Seattle that is working with Wal-Mart on its organic food > initiatives, > > asserted: " What Wal-Mart has done is legitimized the market. All > these > > companies who thought organics was a niche product now realize that > it > > has an opportunity to become a big business. " > > > > Kellogg and Kraft say they began working on organic Rice Krispies > and > > organic macaroni and cheese before having conversations with Wal- > Mart. > > But David Mackay, chief operating officer at Kellogg, says it was > > helpful knowing that a big customer like Wal-Mart was enthusiastic > > about the product. > > > > In July, Kellogg is planning to introduce organic Raisin Bran and > > organic Frosted Mini Wheats, with packages featuring the word > > `organic' at the top in giant letters. > > > > Other food companies say they are working on products at Wal- Mart's > > direction. General Mills and Pepsi say they plan to introduce new > > organic versions of some of their well-known brands late in 2006. > > These products are expected to appear in Wal-Mart first and then at > > other major retailers. > > > > Officials at General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt > > and Green Giant vegetables, among other things, and at PepsiCo, > which > > owns the Tropicana and Quaker brands, declined to identify those > products. > > > > DeDe Priest, senior vice president for dry groceries at Wal-Mart, > said > > the company had been urging food suppliers for the last year to > > embrace organic foods. At a recent conference in Rogers, Ark., near > > the company's headquarters in Bentonville, she said, " Once we let > the > > companies know we were serious about this and that they needed to > take > > it seriously, they moved pretty fast. " > > > > Bruce Peterson, head of perishable food at Wal-Mart, said that it > > aimed to change the way people think about the retailer. > > > > " Consumers that gravitate to organic products don't always think of > > Wal-Mart as a top-of-mind destination to pick up those products, " > Mr. > > Peterson said. " We want to let customers know, `Hey, we're in that > > business.' " > > > > The strategy of working with food makers to tie in organic products > > with well-known brands represents a departure from the approach many > > of Wal-Mart's competitors are taking. Safeway, Kroger and SuperValu, > > which is set to acquire Albertsons, have private label organic lines > > with names like Nature's Best and O that they sell at prices below > > those of brand organic products. > > > > Mr. Peterson said he thought that Wal-Mart's method would be more > > effective in appealing to customers because it relies on powerful > > brand names that have million of dollars in advertising backing > them up. > > > > But Wal-Mart's new push worries Ronnie Cummins, national director of > > the Organic Consumers Association, an advocacy group that lobbies > for > > strict standards and the preservation of small organic farms. He > said > > Wal-Mart did not care about the principles behind organic > agriculture > > and would ultimately drive down prices and squeeze organic farmers. > > > > " This model of one size fits all and lowest prices possible doesn't > > work in organic, " Mr. Cummins said. " Their business model is going > to > > wreck organic the way it's wrecking retail stores, driving out all > > competitors. " > > > > Part of the problem, Mr. Cummins said, is that Wal-Mart is making a > > push into organics at a time there is already heavy demand and not > > enough supply. > > > > " They're going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like > > China, " he said, " where you've got very dubious organic standards > and > > labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer > would > > consider equitable. " > > > > Currently, some 10 percent of the organic food consumed in the > United > > States is imported, according to the Agriculture Department. Kelly > > Strzelecki, an agricultural economist there, said she expected that > > share to increase. > > > > Mr. Peterson, the Wal-Mart executive, says Wal-Mart is not now > getting > > any of its organic products from overseas, but cannot predict if > that > > will change. And he says Wal-Mart does not pay organic farmers less > > than others do, in part because the demand is so high. He said the > > lower prices offered to consumers were made possible by Wal-Mart's > > enormous volume and by having efficient distribution and inventory > > systems. > > > > Some organic food advocates also fear that large-scale organic > farming > > will not use the crop-rotation practices of the small farms, hurting > > the fields and reducing the health benefits of organic food. > > > > Mr. Peterson's view of organic agriculture is markedly different > from > > many of those involved in the field. > > > > " Organic agriculture is just another method of agriculture � not > > better, not worse, " he said. " This is like any other merchandising > > scheme we have, which is providing customers what they want. For > those > > customers looking for an organic alternative in things like Rice > > Krispies, we now have an alternative for them. " > > > > Organic agriculture arose in the 1970's as a reaction to large- scale > > farms that confined animals and the increased use of pesticides and > > chemical fertilizers on crops. Many advocates of organic produce > > consider conventional agriculture to be harmful to the environment > and > > to human health. > > > > But Wal-Mart and some large food manufacturers are careful not to > > position their organic versions as superior to the original. " We > have > > no intent to send a message that the standard Rice Krispies are > > somehow not great brands, " Mr. Mackay of Kellogg said. > > > > Organic Rice Krispies are made with cane juice instead of > > high-fructose corn syrup and without the artificial preservative > BHT. > > > > Mr. Hartman, the Seattle consultant, said organic now means > different > > things to different people. " It's a multifaceted symbol representing > > everything from quality to health to ideology, and everything in > > between, " he said. " It's something that lets people feel even better > > about their choices. " > > > > With processed products like organic Rice Krispies and organic > > macaroni and cheese soon to appear on store shelves, the organic > > movement seems to be fitting itself more into the wide variety of > food > > available to Americans. > > > > " People want you to offer them organic and natural, " said David > > Driscoll, a food analyst at Citigroup. " But sometimes, they just > want > > to eat a Pop-Tart. " > > > > The Cornucopia Institute is proudly powered by WordPress > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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