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Nob Hill Growers' Market Newsletter
September 2009 - The GMO Edition


Hi Friends!
Welcome to our GMO Edition!
We have a bit to say about green chile, chile in general, and the dangers of genetically modified food this month.
So here we go!


CELEBRATE NEW MEXICO NATIVE CHILE WEEK,
September 5 - 12


Proclaimed by Gov. Bill Richardson, New Mexico Native Chile Week will be September 5th through 12th. In honor of this event the Nob Hill Growers' Market will host a chile tasting at the market on Thursday, September 10th. Come to the market and enjoy a free sampling of the wealth of New Mexico's chile varieties prepared by Isaura Andaluz, local slow food chef. Help us to honor the growers who maintain this diversity, to support local farming, and ensure food security.

This event is sponsored by Cuatro Puertas in alliance with Save NM Seeds Coalition, Slow Food Rio Grande, the NM Farmers' Marketing Association, and Partnership for Earth Spirituality.


Dangers of Genetically Engineered Food

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using techniques in genetics generally known as recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant DNA technology is the ability to combine DNA molecules from different sources into one molecule in a test tube. This is significantly different from hybridizing (cross breeding two similar but different species), grafting, or even cloning. In this process, genetic material from two entirely unrelated organisms may be combined. Even a mixture of genes from plants with animals is possible. The result is a new organism that is genetically and biochemically altered, has not evolved alongside human beings, and changed in ways that humans and other plants and animals have never adapted to.

One change in the DNA molecule does not alter just one known characteristic. When a new gene is inserted, whole sections of the DNA, especially flanking the insert, are typically affected. There is no way of predicting all of the changes which will occur and no way for any individual to predict if his or her own biochemistry will be compatible with any given GMO food. An allergy is a toxic reaction to something which is normally harmless to most people.

Furthermore, it is likely that the inserted gene has never even been part of the food supply. For example, Bt is the pesticide from soil bacteria that is used in organic agriculture. When sprayed on corn silk, it kills corn earworm caterpillars, but quickly degrades in sunlight and does not enter the corn itself or leave residue. But with Bt crops, engineers take the gene out of the soil bacteria, they make some changes in it, they make it more powerful, and they put it into the DNA of cotton or corn. So when you eat the corn, you eat the Bt in every bite.

GMO crops are different from natural foods and they lead to specific unique risks.
The problems may be dangerous allergic reactions, super-diseases that are immune to antibiotics, nutritional problems, and unpredictable health effects, including potentially pre-cancerous cell growth. For example, milk from rbGH-treated cows contains an increased amount of the hormone IGF-1 which is one of the highest risk factors associated with breast and prostate cancer, among others.


One of the best known instances of harm done by GM engineering came to light right here in New Mexico in 1989. L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid, naturally found in turkey and milk, and in supplement form had been safely consumed for years as a treatment for stress, insomnia, and depression. Use of a genetically engineered product led to illness in 5000-10,000 people, some are permanently disabled. About 100 people died. The Albuquerque Journal ran a series of articles about it that eventually won the Pulitzer Prize.

Incredibly, GMOs are NOT regulated by the FDA or the US Department of Agriculture. There are foods on the market that have never been tested on animals and have never been tested on human beings, yet we are eating them. No labeling of GMO ingredients is required. The four main genetically engineered crops are soy, corn, cottonseed, and canola. Probably 90% of packaged foods will have a derivative from one of these. For example, high fructose corn syrup.

These are just a few of the reasons why genetically engineered foods are less safe than natural foods. Please visit the Institute For Responsible Technology or seedsofdeception.com to learn much more.

It is understandable to want to turn away from what seems like another overwhelming world problem. The threat of biological pollution, like nuclear war or global warming, is truly frightening. There is, however, a relatively straightforward way of dealing with this one. When it comes to the GM issue most food companies are motivated more by economics than food safety. Many food manufacturers worldwide have changed to non-GM ingredients to appeal to consumer demand----make a change or lose a customer. Therefore you as a buyer are at the top of the food chain and can move the market. We have that power.

Safe eating!

Georgia Daves
Market Manager


Vandana Shiva - The Future of Food And Seed

Scientist, feminist, ecologist and author, Vandana Shiva, presented the keynote address at the 2009 Organicology Conference in Portland, Oregon, on February 28, 2009. To see the video, click here. Run time: 59:54.


"NEW MEXICO NATIVE CHILE WEEK"
SEPTEMBER 5 - 12, 2009
CHILE TASTINGS AT NEW MEXICO FARMERS' MARKETS

Taste the immense varieties of New Mexico chiles at the following Farmers' Markets during New
Mexico Native Chile Week, September 5th through 12th.

These tasting events are to introduce consumers to New Mexico's wealth of chile varieties, both
native and modern; to honor the growers who maintain this diversity; and to encourage support of local farming, which ensure our state's food security.

SUNDAY September 6th
Las Cruces: Mountain View Market
Location: north side of Idaho Crossings parking lot at El Paseo and Idaho
Schedule: Sundays, 10 am - 2 pm
Market Season: May 3rd - November 22nd

WEDNESDAY September 9th
Dixon: Dixon Co-op Farmers' Market
Location: 215 Hwy. 75
Schedule: Wednesdays, 4 pm - 7 pm
Market Season: June 3rd - mid October

THURSDAY September 10th
Albuquerque: Nob Hill Market
Location: Morningside Park, Lead & Morningside SE
Schedule: Thursdays, 3 pm - 6:30 pm
Market Season: May 21st - November 5th

SATURDAY September 12th
Albuquerque: Albuquerque Downtown Market
Location: 8th & Central at Robinson Park
Schedule: Saturdays, 7 am - 11 am, Sept. & Oct. hours: 8 am - 12 pm
Market Season: June 6th - October 31st

Sponsored by Cuatro Puertas in alliance with Save NM Seeds Coalition, Slow Food Rio Grande, the NM
Farmers' Marketing Association, Partnership for Earth Spirituality. For additional information or to volunteer: email.


Quick Links

Slow Food Rio Grande

Save NM Seed Coalition

South End Press - Books by Vandana Shiva

Stay tuned for market bucks, coming soon to your inbox! We hope to see you on Thursday!

Sincerely,

Amanda Mione
Chispas Farm