Our window cling states the mission of the project very simply. But to really understand what we are about, please take a look at the Motivation for the project, and the project Plan which follow. .
Motivation
. This site teaches how to eat non-GMO, but that would be meaningless if there was no non-GMO food left. GMOs are increasingly intermingling with our food supply and contaminating non-GMO and organic crops. Securing the right to non-GMO food means slowing their introduction into the environment and food supply until the public becomes aware of the danger and takes action. Right now, that danger is becoming a hotbed of research with startling results- and the obstacles to science put up by industry are being called out by the scientists and watchdog groups. At this rate, it won't be long before GMOs are generally recognized as UNsafe. The problem is that GMO's are being tested and allowed to outcross with wild plants forming hybrids, and they are contaminating non-GMO and organic crops. The list of GMO plants being tested, sold in other countries, and scheduled to be released in the near future here and around the world is staggering. It is almost as if this fast-tracking mentality is aimed at beating the scientists and public such that they will be impossible to remove or even avoid, and everyone will have to just live with it. This is obviously a terrible thing to do- but how terrible it is remains to be seen. The "worst-case scenarios" are rather predictable. GMO's are made to invade DNA and alter it. Now we know that they invade bacteria that normally live in us- and they are equipped with the potential to invade any living thing. And, they are highly unstable. Those inserted genes change position between plant cells and cause the plant to produce harmful chemicals they are not designed to make. We have created super-invaders- that transfer the traits to other bacteria and possibly higher organisms. The worst gene in the suite may be the promoter sequence. It switches parts of the invaded cell's DNA on permanently and is shown to hop around and act on potentially any trait- including those that would be deadly. If it does cross into human cells, and there's nothing that says it won't, it may activate hidden codes in our DNA from thousands of years ago- even DNA that originated from viruses that were shut off in self-defense. GMOs are being shown to be the most dangerous biological experiment in history. They are worldwide, spreading out of control at a rapid rate, impossible to remove, and will very possibly become deadly after they are completely distributed. In other words, GMOs are virulent. They behave like very infectious viruses do. The DNA itself is moving from organism to organism changing the host's DNA, making the host infectious. Aside from the delivery system, or shell, they are very similar to a virus- with codes for complex compounds some of which are poison like Bt toxin. The fact that they are released and engineered to make that virulent DNA invade any lifeform and replicate endlessly makes them what I'd call negligently weaponized. This mutant DNA can't be contained- and the inventors and are actively spreading it around the globe in the open air- read this list of all the illegal or negligent cases of contamination. Notice page one is only since January of this year. In summary, GMO's are a bad idea that are showing themselves to be an immediate colossal threat. So obviously, the GMO-Free Portland! project has an increased urgency behind it. This mission which is outlined on this page is really a plan in progress. It will grow in scope and in power as it gains resources and forms partnerships. But it will remain a simple, positive, and locally-enacted plan. All it takes is for people to re-learn how to eat, and enjoy the rewards non-GMO living brings. We will help you become a non-GMO eater and therefore shopper- and by actively seeking it, you will create a market for GMO-free food that everyone will see. The nature of everything we do, big and small, is exactly this plan. If you shop non-GMO, we hope you will consider yourself a part of this project. This is what we, together, are doing to secure our right to non-genetically engineered food. . .
The GMO-Free Portland! Plan
. Here is what you can do- and what we, Mary & Ernie, are working on. Together, we are GMO-Free Portland! and this is our plan. If you would like to participate in the project beyond your pivotal role as a Shopping Soldier, please let us know.
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1. Buy non-GMO all the time. Send people to this website that are interested in a non-GMO world. Say "non-GMO" to all the people serving food, even if you know they have nothing. All the better they see why you're not eating there. Plus they'll go find out what it means and that is important.
2. Go to the businesses we mark Patron. Tell them we sent you.
3. We get stickers up in windows and stock stores and restaurants with non-GMO literature and our cards with the URL & pager so customers asking questions don't overwhelm the employees but are fully supported and have access to information.
4. Write us if you want some materials. Especially our business cards which unlike the $0.20 packets cost nearly nothing. Hand them out. We are happy, however, to send you a few packets for free including postage, absolutely!
5. Use the term GMO! Don't explain it unless they ask you. Then say "it means genetically modified food. It's in everything." And to whatever extent you can comfortably continue add something like "especially processed food, and foods with soy and corn. It's a health and environmental hazard that people are starting to learn about." Slip in our URL if you get a chance.
6. Now that we have some stores and restaurants with our stickers, we've gotten a little press from a non-profit, a film company, and a green magazine. The result is that we reach more people that need help putting their new diet into action, and together patronize these non-GMO-friendly businesses. That's the whole idea. We want those stores to start seeing us as a group to market to. People care about helping Gluten-free folks and they are learning about our needs too. Some of you are both. We think there is a connection in fact.
7. Once people start marketing to us, the signs and shelf tags will go up.
8. When those signs are up, the general public will start asking! Once that happens, people will be freaked out with what they learn and demand product labeling.
9. We're going to try to get more press. So far, people have come to us but after we grow a bit more, we'll have a story to tell some local papers. We're almost there.
10. We go to farmers' markets and we've even tabled in stores with all our literature and some from these stores and restaurants as well as non-profits. Please see our calendar and keep checking back because we always have things "in the works."
11. We bought a national domain so the goal is to get others to see our example, follow it and then we'll all link together. They'll be different sites but the instructions and plan of stickers & packets, farmers markets, newspaper coverage, etc. will be the same.
12. If you want to help us reach more people, we have a support page that also tells what projects we're intending to do and what we spend money on now. Ultimately this has to be fueled by the general viewers of the site that see we help others and want to see us make a bigger difference. It can't sustain if its just us and our friends and family that pay for everything.
13. We'd get generous web hosting credit if you click through the link at the bottom of the page. We didn't put up a banner or badge because we only want people who want a web hosting service anyway because we sincerely recommend this company.
14. We're networking on Twitter and Facebook. We're participating in other non-profit's discussions and campaigns. We've had a few people interested in working with us. We need those kinds of partnerships. Partnerships are a big part of this project's design.
15. Please write us. We need to meet people to know we are forming this community. We are truly at your service, all of our free hours. Once we know you, we will give you our phone number so you have the option of calling. That might come in handy if you're trying to figure out if something is non-GMO in a store, or having a talk with an interested friend. We do all kinds of favors too. This is one way for us to be charitable and to volunteer- and that takes recipients! If you take us up on it, it means you are being serious about not letting obstacles stop you that don't have to when trying to avoid GMOs. Every time you do avoid one, you are helping the world to heal. Nothing would make us happier than if we can help you with something big or small. We are standing by. You do not have to make a contribution to this project to be appreciated as a supporter. You are here, and we are at your service.
So you can see, there is a potential angle that we can use to tip the scale just enough so that the public is made aware of this GMO insanity. Everyone is currently going the Anti-GMO attack route. We positively promote non-GMO food. People are pro-Organic, but being pro-non-GMOs focuses power to this effort of eradicating GMOs by educating the public. We will help those good stores, restaurants, and bakeries have enough business to last and keep the non-GMO food coming. If Portland becomes known as a city with a non-GMO circle of businesses we will have a lot of power and a lot of food choices. We'll start getting press and find friends around the nation. It won't take much to get people aware of GMOs and once they start asking questions, since the research is beginning to pour in, citizens will demand real food and an end to these unconscionable practices. Thank you, shopping soldiers!
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