CT-Law to Label Genetically Modified Foods

[Guest guest]

Dear Arnold,

CALL TO ACTION IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT – SUPPORT CT HB 5117, AN ACT CONCERNING GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS

Rep. Roy and W. at Capitol Building Hartford,CT*

Connecticut has the potential to become the first state to pass a mandatory GMO labeling bill and your support is critical to its success. An advocacy campaign to support this bill has begun. Please see righttoknowct.org for updates on events and advocacy efforts. Please write and/or call your Connecticut state legislators today, asking them to support CT HB 5117 because you believe we have a fundamental right to know what's in our food so we can make informed choices about what we feed our families. This bill would mandate the labeling of foods containing GMO ingredients in Connecticut, giving Connecticut residents the transparency that countries like Japan, Australia, China and all 15 EU member countries already enjoy. Please help demonstrate to our lawmakers that strong consumer support exists for this bill and that we want the right to know what’s in our food. Our actions today are integral to this bill passing.

Click on this URL to take action now

http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/utr/2/?a=61075401 & i=119988849 & c= & u=www.capwiz.com%2Fgrassrootsnetroots%2Fissues%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D61075401%26type%3DST

Upcoming Advocacy Efforts in Connecticut:

1) A literature drop is being planned in Hartford within the next two weeks. We will be printing and assembling packets of information on GMOs for almost 200 representatives and senators and need volunteers to help distribute the packets to the legislator’s offices. If the representative or senator is in his/her office, we hope to have a one-on-one conversation about the bill. We want to ensure that the legislators have accurate information about GMOs from their constituents who support the bill. If you are interested in participating in the literature drop, please email analiese@... and taracook.littman@... with the dates and times you are available so we can coordinate the event.

Wednesday, March 21 is Ag Day at the Capitol and CT NOFA will be among the exhibitors. CT NOFA plans to share information about GMOs and the bill.

2) The Connecticut Vegetarian and Healthy Living Festival will take place on April 28-29 2012, Sat. 10 - 6 / Sun. 10 – 4 at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut. If you are exhibiting at the conference, please let us know and we will make sure you have materials about GMOs and the bill to distribute and discuss.

Scheduled Educational Events Around Connecticut:

1) Friday, March 16, 6 PM at Raw Food Central Windsor 446 Broad St. Windsor, CT 06095. RSVP to Curtis g at 860-925-6869

There will be a showing of a new (hot off the press) DVD with Sally Herson interviewing , Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, during his visit to CT. was the guest speaker at a March 2 legislative forum organized by the Environment Committee during which he shared information about the history of GMOs and why they aren’t tested for safety or labeled, and why HB 5117 is so important for consumers. To watch ’s talk that day and read quotes from CT lawmakers in support of the bill, click here.

2) Monday, March 19, 6:30 at East Windsor/Warehouse Pt Library, 107 Main Street, East Windsor CT 06088. RSVP to at 860-623-9287

There will be a showing of a new (hot off the press) DVD with Sally Herson interviewing , Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, during his visit to CT. 3/22 Fairfield

3) Thursday, March 22, 10:00 AM at the Fairfield Public Library, Rotary Room, Main Library, 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT

Join Tara Cook-Littman and Analiese Paik to learn about what Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are and how to avoid them when shopping for you and your family. GMOs can be found in over 80% of all processed food in the supermarkets in America. The American public is unaware of that fact because manufacturers are not required to label the food as containing GMOs. In Europe, GMO labeling is mandatory and so many companies in Europe, such as Kraft, have chosen to leave GMOs out of their European products but leave them in the American sold products. The Connecticut legislature is currently considering a bill that would make GMO labeling mandatory. Learn about the bill and how you can help support the Right to Know CT campaign directly from two of its founders. Consumers have the right to know what is in their food!

4) Saturday March 31 – Food for Thought Expo at Fairfield Warde High School, Fairfield, CT, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Exhibitors Table and Non GMO Workshop at 2:30 pm

The Institute for Responsible Technology and Right To Know CT will have a table set up with ’s books and DVDs for sale and literature on GMOs. Analiese Paik will lead a workshop on GMOs, teach attendees how to avoid them when purchasing food, and urge guests to get involved in the Right To Know CT advocacy campaign.


5) Sunday April 1 - Don’t Be Fooled by GMOs - Westport Inn, 1595 Post Road East, Westport, CT

Join the Westport Farmers’ Market, The Wakeman Town Farm, and Right To Know CT at the Westport Inn from 5:00 – 6:30 PM. Non-GMO nibbles will be served. Glen Colello, Tara Cook-Littman, and Analiese Paik will educate attendees on GMOs and how to avoid them, what the health risks are associated with GMOs, and the reasons GMO mandatory labeling is so important. We will be joined by several state legislators who will share their own views on the importance of GMO labeling. Suggested donation $5 per person, $10 per family, kids are free.

Action Items:

Like the right to know CT Facebook page and invite your friends to like it. Encourage your friends to use the advocacy platform on www.righttoknowct.org to send letters to their CT legislators asking them to support the bill. Visit a local farmers’ market or co-op and ask if you can distribute literature about Right to Know CT. Plan an event in your town to foster community dialog about GMOs and the labeling bill. Call or write to the Environmental Committee telling them you support CT HB 5117 and mandatory GMO labeling.

Please visit www.righttoknowct.org for updates on events and advocacy efforts in your area.

Environment Committee

Room 3200, Legislative Office Building

Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: 860-240-0440

* Rep. Roy and W. at Capitol Building Hartford,CT photo taken from www.facebook.com/FairfieldGreenFoodGuide

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