14
August
2008
rBGH up for sale
Some great news from the US this week. I’ve written in the past about Monsanto’s recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). After intense consumer pressure, Monsanto have announced that they are putting the business up for sale, having given up themselves. Although they will still market and sell rBGH, in spite of Monsanto’s huge campaign, including backing agriculture department officials in exchange for them passing laws banning labelling of milk as rBGH-free, it’s clear they’re realised the writing is on the wall.
This genetically-modified growth hormone (given to most dairy cows in South Africa) has been the subject of intense consumer pressure in the US. Banned in much of the world, it leads to mastitis in cows, which is then treated with increased antibiotics. These antibiotics remain in the milk and end up in our bodies, suppresing our immune and digestive systems. Cows also produce milk with increased levels of IGF-1, associated with increased likelihood of human cancers.
While Monsanto is still claiming their product is safe, and ‘no different’, the evidence is against them, and few believe them any more. Most retailers in the US have turned their backs on it, and most consumers look out for rBGH-free milk.
Monsanto have said though they’re refocussing on their successful seed business. Genetically-modified seed crops are also ‘no different’, they say, so there’s no need to label them. Except that they’re ‘better’ because they’re pest resistent (already containing pesticides!), or pesticide-resistent. Somehow, I’m not convinced. On that note, activist.co.za is running a petition against the introduction of a genetically-modified potato. Sign online at the activist.co.za site.
Let’s hope this small victory is the start of a shift, where technology comes out from behind the closed doors of profiteering corporations, suppressed and distorted for financial gain, and is put to work for the good of all humanity.
Delivery Fees
On to more mundane matters. Some of our delivery fees are increasing this week. We’ve had an odd anomaly where some regions paid less than others. From this week, we have a standard delivery fee of R45 across all regions.
New Collection Point
Look out for more collection points though, as our truck expands our network. This week we have a new collection point in Mouille Point.
Cara Cara
No, not the latest dance craze, cara cara’s are a breed of oranges. They’re pink-tinged, sweeter, and richer in Vitamin A than most other oranges. Find them in the fruit section, supplied by Kleinjongenskraal Farm.
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za.
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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7
August
2008
New truck
We’ve bought a truck! Unfortunately it’s not electric (yet), and we’ve had to leap through hoops to sort out the financing, as in a world of Pty limiteds and closed corporations, no one seems to understand how to deal with a co-operative, but we hope this it enable to us to share our organic goodies with more people, and offer a better service.
Apologies
It may not have seemed like it this week though, as unfortunately our paper plans didn’t survive the realities of our roads, and some of our deliveries and collections were very late this week. We apologise to everyone that was inconvenienced, and we’ll do our best to ensure it all goes more smoothly next week. Thanks for bearing with us as our new baby truck finds its feet, er, wheels.
New delivery times and new collection points
The truck will enable us to open up more collection points in the near future, so many of you, especially in outlying areas, may soon see a collection point closer to you.
Collection point times will also be changing for some existing collection points:
Go Natural (Somerset West) - Thursday, 11am - 5pm
Jacqui Daya (Wynberg) - Thursday, 8am - 8pm
Health Path (Hout Bay) - Wednesday, 3pm - 5.30pm
We also have a new collection point in Scarborough, open on Wednesday from 4pm - 7pm
These are the correct times, and not the actual times this week, which were due to our bad planning!
New faces
We have two faces this week. Welcome to Pia Taylor, who will be delivering in Wynberg, and Robbie Sarracino, who’ll be delivering in the City Bowl, Camps Bay, Hout Bay and possibly Milnerton.
Daniel Baum, who many of you will have met before with a box of veggies at your door, is our new distribution co-ordinator. Which means he spends lots of time driving the truck!
Maca
Maca has been cultivated and used as a food plant and medicinal herb for centuries in the Andes. The root, which looks similar to a turnip, is starting to gain popularity worldwide as it’s purported stamina-enhancing and aphrodisiac qualities receive attention.
Maca faced going down a familiar path as a United States company was granted patents on maca’s key active compounds, and people in the Andes faced the risk of an international pharmaceutical company profiting at the expense of their indigenous knowledge that had been shared for centuries. In other words, wealthy shareholders benefit, while the people who gained and shared the knowledge gain nothing.
The company that was granted the initial patent was bought by another company though, and while they still maintain possession of the patent, they opened up the patents freely for Peruvian companies, meaning that small local companies in the Andes could at least still legitimately sell and benefit from the crop.
Clinical trials are now underway on Maca’s effectiveness in helping to reduce hot flushes and night sweats in menopausal women, and it’s likely the plant will see even more of a surge in popularity.
It’s got a malty flavour, so put it into your smoothies, or add to desserts.
Head on over to order at www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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31
July
2008
I wrote last year about the phenomenon of honeybees disappearing. Since 1971, the honeybee population has been gradually declining, although starting in the US in November 2006, colonies began to disappear in their entirety at an alarming rate. The disappearances have occurred in the US, much of Europe, and elsewhere in the world.
Research has been ongoing into the cause of their disappearance - initial speculation covered a wide range of possible causes, such as pesticides, genetically-modified organisms, cellular technology or disease.
Some recent research indicates that a family of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, which include Imidacloprid (commonly known as Gaucho) may be primarily responsible. Imidacloprid started being used in France in 1994, and bee-keepers immediately noticed an effect on their bees. Bayer, the chemical company responsible for the pesticide, conducted some tests, and of course found that there was no evidence of any toxicity.
While the chemical company has fought to clear it’s product, resorting to tactics such as suing farmers (a high profile case brought by Bayer against Maurice Mary for defamation in 2001 was thrown out of court in 2003), there’s increasing evidence linking the chemical to colony collapse disorder.
The difficulty in proving that the chemical is directly responsible points to the problem with the whole chemical paradigm. Gaucho was granted ‘emergency’ exemption in in the US in 2002, after the discovery of a minor beetle infestation in blueberries. Pancho, its close relative, was granted ‘conditional’ registration, meaning it was allowed on the market after only partial testing.
Once the chemicals have been unleashed on the environment, their interaction with other chemicals, and effects in the wild are all but impossible to track. The onus sits on those affected, such as bee-keepers and farmers to stand up to a huge, multinational chemical company with deep pockets, and reams of studies which it funded and directed. It’s a chemical free-for-all with chemicals allowed onto the market unless they are ‘proved’ to pose ‘an unreasonable risk’. As with GMO’s, the lack of testing, or testing funded and directed by the company responsible for the product, is far too weak a standard.
In the absence of proper industry or government testing, it’s up to civil society to fill the gap.
The Environmental Working Group is one such organisation, based in Washington in the USA, and which advocates for policies that protect global and individual health. They’ve accumulated the results of 43 000 pesticide tests, and come up with a list of crops that contain the highest pesticide residues.
The 12 on the top of the list, and which are therefore the most critical to buy organically, are:
* Peaches
* Apples
* Sweet bell peppers
* Celery
* Nectarines
* Strawberries
* Cherries
* Lettuce
* Grapes
* Pears
* Spinach
* Potatoes
Choosing to exclusively grow and buy organic products to begin with makes a lot more sense, and is a lot easier than following the intricacies of chemical politics!
Visit www.ethical.org.za to order.
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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24
July
2008
Lowering cholesterol for children, US-style
Our reliance on the pharmaceutical industry for our health knowledge continues to lead us in the wrong direction. Our unfortunate friends in the US, who face more challenges than most with their irresponsible government policies, are facing a new threat.
The American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines this month suggesting that it’s a good idea to prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs children as young as eight. All in the name of preventing heart disease of course.
Nothing about healthy eating, no mention of the side-effects of cholestrol-lowering drugs such as statins.
Instead a simple ‘pop a pill’ approach to health that’s got us into such an unhealthy mess, and has made so much money for pharmaceutical companies. We can guess where the funding for the studies came from.
Off-label drugs
Another study from the US shows that one fifth of all drugs used in the US are off-label, meaning they’re used for purposes other than approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (which at least requires some minimal testing of both safety and effectiveness).
Now the FDA wants to hand over even more power to the pharmaceuticals, by allowing them to market drugs to doctors for purposes other than what they’ve been approved for.
All this testing is just getting in the way of profit - why not market blood pressure pills for headaches, and open up a whole new market, seems to be the thinking.
We really are the guinea pig generation.
Rasayana Prash
If you ordered last week, you would have seen a sample Rasayana Prash pack in your latest box. Developed by an Ayurvedic clinic in India, it contains absolutely no patented drugs - rather a combination of herbs and spices chosen for the rejuvenating and immune-boosting effects.
Ayurveda, the oldest health science, has eight branches, with Rasayana, meaning rejuvenation, being one of them.
If you’re in a hurry to get those biodynamic popcorn seeds while we still have stock, head on over to www.ethical.org.za now!
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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17
July
2008
Rocketing food prices
As food prices continue to rocket, some countries are responding by severely limiting food exports so as to ensure they have enough food to feed their own people. 15 countries have limited wheat exports, 12 maize, and 11 rice. Imported supplies of these products are becoming rarer, and more expensive, which is all the more reason to grow your own food, and buy locally grown food. We’re offering a great range of certified organic and biodynamic seeds to get you started, which you can find in our garden section.
Zeekoegat Products
Zeekoegat Farm in Riversdale have ceased production of their cheeses for the season. It’s your very last chance to buy their products until they return after the break. Prices have been marked down to clear, and stock is limited!
Biodynamic Farming and Bloublommetjieskloof
Customers ordering last week would have seen another free sample dishwashing liquid from Bloublommetjieskloof Biodynamic Farm. The criteria for biodynamic certification are much stricter than those for organic. Whereas organic is mostly exclusionary (no chemical pesticides, and so on), biodynamic requires much more, and is always organic by default. An initiative of Rudolf Steiner (also responsible for Waldorf Schools) and based on anthroposophical principles, it sees the farm as an organism with its own individuality that needs to be nurtured to get the best results. Fermented herbal and mineral preparations are used as compost additives and field sprays, and an astronomical sowing and planting calendar is used.
Bloublommetjieskloof has been farmed biodynamically for over 30 years, and is certified Biodynamic by Demeter International. Bloublommetjieskloof products include a range of biodynamic household cleaning and body care soaps, as well as dairy and market garden produce. Rozendal and Camphill are our other suppliers who farm using biodynamic principles.
As always, go straight on over to order at www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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10
July
2008
Perhaps last week’s newsletter, with its inclusion of the ‘Oranges and Lemons’ nursery rhyme, and a mention of chopping heads, was a bad omen. After specifically mentioning Kleinjongenskraal’s products, we didn’t get any deliveries from them, as their farm was cut off by this week’s dramatic floods in the area. Apologies for those who were affected.
Another of the farms which regularly supplies us is also taking a break. Docke Farm in Noordhoek is situated next to a wetland, and every year some of the fields flood. This is great for the soil quality, as the rich nutrients from the wetland are absorbed into the soil.
Elsewhere, many crops are drawing into themselves, and growing much more slowly as a result of the cold weather.
We have Thompson’s raisins and sunflower seeds back in stock this week. Both are listed as non-certified organic, a term we’re often questioned on. It means that the product adheres to organic standards, but is not certified by an external authority. In this case, the products were certified organic until they were packed, but because our warehouse is not certified, the final product cannot be labelled as certified organic. In other cases, it’s because the farms are small, and not willing or unable to pay for the label.
With one or two clearly listed exceptions, all the food on our site is grown according to organic principles. This is one of our core principles, and we have no interest in supporting the destructive, unsustainable and unhealthy practices around chemical farming.
The certification model works well where volumes are high, and products are shipped all over the world. It provides a 3rd-party guarantee of the principles used. But ultimately, the ideal is to know how your food is grown by knowing where it is grown, and by who - which farm, or which plot of land. That personal knowledge and trust in the integrity of your food is better than any label.
A reminder too that we have Freeplay’s windup products, and a wide range of ayurvedic and classic incense, hidden away in our ‘Other’ section.
Head on over to www.ethical.org.za to order
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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4
July
2008
There’s an old nursery rhyme, a version of which goes as follows:
“Oranges and lemons”, say the bells of St. Clement’s
“You owe me three farthings”, say the bells of St. Martin’s
“When will you pay me?” say the bells of Old Bailey
“When I grow rich”, say the bells of Shoreditch
“When will that be?” say the bells of Stepney
“I do not know”, says the great bell of Bow
Here comes a candle to light you to bed
And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!
Chip chop chip chop - The last man’s dead.
It’s a nursery rhyme believed to be about capital punishment, and imprisonment for debt. The unfortunate victim would be alerted by the Bellman of St. Sepulchre ringing the ‘Execution Bell’ lit by candlelight at midnight, that the next morning was to be their last.
Although most of our media would have you believe otherwise, the nursery rhyme reminds me how far we’ve come. Most societies today don’t imprison people for debt, and don’t implement capital punishment. If you look out for it, there’s an explosion of positive news, wonderful innovation motivated by the heart.
If you’re the kind of person who focuses on the positive, you’re probably thinking about juicy oranges and lemons rather than debtors prison. If so, make sure you stock up now. Kleinjongenskraal, who supply us with oranges, lemons, green and yellow peppers, and dried mangoes, will not be delivering next week, so get what you need for next week now!
Firelighters are back in stock this week. Made from sawdust and egg cartons, they work very well, and the last week has certainly been a good one for a fire in the lounge, at least for those of us with fireplaces. We have limited stock, so they won’t be available for long - find them in the home care section.
We have a few more eggs in stock this week, from Draai Om Farm. The farm is a certified organic farm, but due to a shortage of certified feed, the eggs themselves are not certified organic. Again, there’s limited stock, so order early!
As you’ve probably noticed, much of our range is in limited supply, and tends to come in and out of availability. Here’s encouraging anyone with land, or a garden, or space for pots in their flat, to get growing. Nothing beats food grown right where you live - visit our garden section for seeds and other items to get you started.
Visit www.ethical.org.za to order.
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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26
June
2008
Bloublommetjies Home Care products
Those of you who got an order last Thursday would have seen the sample products from Bloublommetjies in your box. Bloublommetjies have a whole range of certified organic and biodynamic home care products, from dishwashing paste and liquid, all purpose cleaner, disinfectant, fabric softener, laundry products and even a pet shampoo.
Ingredients are almost entirely grown on Bloublommetjies farm, resulting in minimal waste and, being a local farm, a very low carbon footprint.
Biodegradeable packaging
This week we have a number of new packaging products available from Green Home. They’re made from plant starch material, instead of oil-based plastic. We’ve had some vibrant internal debates on the merits of oil-based plastic against plant-based materials, but have come to the conclusion that the plant-based packaging is a big step forward. Unlike biofuels, no land is devoted to growing plants for packaging materials - rather they’re derived from materials usually wasted during processing. With oil now over $140 a barrel, and on an inevitable upward trend, the era of cheap oil, with all its attendant waste, and plastics as an important component, is coming to an end.
What’s sometimes listed as ‘biodegradeable’ is simply ‘degradeable’, meaning that the product breaks down, but toxic chemicals are still leached into the soil. Green Home products are completely plant-based, so are truly biodegradeable.
Green Home have a wide range of products, including biodegradeable forks, spoons, cups and plates. We’re encouraging our own suppliers to use them, as it pains us to be distributing oil-based plastics. Now, after numerous requests, they’re available for everyone to buy.
As with all of our products, you can click on the product name for more details, and an explanation of ideal composting conditions.
Windup radios, torches and lanterns
Freeplay windup radios, lanterns and torches, which never require you to buy extra batteries, are back in stock at last. If you’re planning to order, head down to the ‘Other’ section, although you’ll need to move quickly, as they rapidly go out of stock, and take a while to return.
Distributors wanted
Thanks to everyone who responded to our ad a few weeks ago for distributors. Apologies that we haven’t responded yet - we will do so soon.
New collection point in Lakeside, Hout Bay
We have a new collection point in Lakeside - Zest Health Shop. Near the Woolworths and Sostanza Bakery, we hope the shop’s calm and light atmosphere will keep your veggies relaxed while they wait for you!
They also stock health foods, supplements such as Solgar and Viridian, Chinese and Homeopathic remedies, gluten and sugar-free products, goats milk products and various body care items. Their store manager, Lisa, will be happy to give you more information about any of their products.
We also have a new collection point in Hout Bay - the Health Path, in Victoria Road.
To order, www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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19
June
2008
This week it’s only a short newsletter, as I’m suffering from some full moon fever!
It’s good to know that prices can go down as well as up. Rozendal biodynamic farm have announced price cuts to their vinegars. The large bottles are now R65, and the mixed vinegar pack is reduced by R14 to R70.
New products on the site include raw cacoa butter, and new soaps from Kalyan Herbal.
To order, go to www.ethical.org.za.
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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12
June
2008
Youth Day
It’s Youth Day on Monday, a public holiday, and since most people leave their orders to the last minute, here’s a reminder to place your order now, before it’s too late.
METAVarsity Winter School
If you ordered last week, you would have seen a pamphlet with the METAVarsity Winter School programme in your box. METAVarsity are hosting 11 talks, from 30 June to 5 July, including workshops by some of our suppliers.
Journey to the Earth, sees Liz Eglington of Blue Sky Organics discussing her journey from successful corporate executive and athlete, to organic farmer, working with the sacredness and connection of nature. Anthea Torr, from Biophile and Enchantrix, presents Sacred Activism for the 21st Century, on how ordinary people can make a profound difference. Pat Featherstone, of Soil for Life, presents Live your Life Organically, providing practical ideas and inspiration for an organic lifestyle.
Booking is essential, and contact details are available at www.metavarsity.com.
Party like it’s 2005
Can you remember back to 2005? George Bush began his second term as US president, Spain became the 3rd country to permit same-sex marriages, oil rocketed to its highest-ever level of $70 a barrel in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (it’s almost double that today), and the world saw the launch of two new websites - YouTube, and the Ethical Co-op.
2005 also happened to be when we last adjusted the prices of our great value mixed boxes. On reflection though, the value was a little too good, so from next week we’ll be putting up the prices. A small mixed box will cost R75, and a large mixed box R120. We’ve looked around, and we hope you’ll agree with us that this is still some of the best value around.
Baby Cereal
We’re very pleased to be able to offer certified organic baby cereal, produced right here in Cape Town. Olli Babyfoods have created a rice and banana cereal, suitable for babies from 8 months old, and a plain rice cereal, which can be given from 4-5 months. However, we, and Olli, recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Both cereals are free of any soya, dairy, wheat, gluten, egg, and sugar, and contain nothing but organic rice and banana.
A seasonal break
Supply of cows and goats products are erratic right now, as the cold weather reduces milk production. Zeekoegat have ceased all production of their cheeses for the season, so stock will be unavailable shortly. The gentle Rambo, Zeekoegat’s new ram we mentioned in March, has been hard at work, and 42 ewes are pregnant!
To order, go to www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
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