Page 79 - Spring2013

immense and complicated morass. It is vital that local producers and support-
Currently, public comments are due by May 16, 2013. WAPF has ers of local foods speak up during the comment
joined with over two hundred fifty other organizations, farms, and food period. Agribusiness’ control of Congress and
businesses to urge FDA to extend the comment period for one hundred the agencies developed over the course of several
twenty days, until mid-September. decades, as more and more family farmers were
An initial review of the proposed rules has already highlighted many lost to consolidation and consumers became
troubling provisions. Both rules include extensive documentation require- more disconnected from the source of their food.
ments that threaten to swamp farms and food producers in paperwork. It will take a lot of time and work for the local
In multiple places in the produce safety rule the agency evidences foods movement to reverse this trend.
unwarranted fear of animal-based soil amendments, which include compost To submit comments on the pro-
and compost teas. For example, if the compost is not “treated” consistent duce safety standards, go to http://www.
with FDA’s standards, there is a nine-month waiting period required be- regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-
tween applying the compost and harvesting the crop. In practice, this could 2011-N-0921-0013
cripple mid-scale growers’ ability to use any manure-based composts or To submit comments on the HARPC
compost teas. standards, go to http://www.regulations.
The proposed regulations impose extensive testing requirements for gov/#!docketDetail;D=FDA-2011-N-0920
water used in agricultural operations, and personnel requirements that We will provide a more detailed analysis
turn the current voluntary Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards and sample comments on the website as soon as
into regulatory requirements. All of these impose unwarranted costs and possible.
burdens on producers.

NOURISHING TREATS HOLIDAY CHALLENGE

The Park Rapids Area, MN local chapter put on a “Nourishing Treats
Holiday Challenge” with a grand prize for the winner. Says chapter
leader Tanja Larson, “We had a great turn-out including a new couple
that was so excited to be hearing all this amazing information. With
twelve different entries, there was almost too much and it was definitely
very hard to choose a winner.”

Pictured here are mint patties, almond flour buttons and the first prize
winner: homemade grain-free tortillas with pizza sauce, raw cheese and
fixins. Beef liver paté on celery sticks took fourth place.

People commented that it was so fun to have a holiday gathering where
they would not feel guilty about consuming some of the treats! The
WAPF chapter meeting for December was covered on the front page
of the local newspaper. Similar parties are planned for Valentine's Day,
Easter, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Wise Traditions SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 Wise Traditions 79