Food fighters

Last Saturday morning, about 350 people came out to the March Against Monsanto from the Bruce Thompson Federal Building to the Reno City Plaza, where there was a rally.

The purpose of this march was to stand up for labeling of foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to stand up against the major company behind them, Monsanto.

“We just want to bring some awareness to the general public about genetically modified organisms that are being put into our food without our knowing about it,” said Kiki Corbin, an organizer of the event and board member and Director of Label GMO Nevada project. “We’re asking for labeling in lots of different ways—in national legislature, in state legislature and initiatives and in companies. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have come out with theirs. Trader Joe’s has already had all their suppliers with their private label switch to no GMOs.”

It took place nationwide at around the same time on May 25. The Reno branch of this event was headed by the Label GMO Nevada project of the nonprofit called the Grassroots Action Network. At the rally, they had a booth set up with petitions, brochures and other information for the general public. Another board member of this project and organizer of this event, Sharon Davidson, was pleased with the turnout of the march.

“We had wanted a peaceful and enthusiastic event, and that’s exactly what we got,” Davidson said. “We met many groups and individuals with like synergies who have volunteered to help us using their various skills. Our intent was education and awareness-raising, plus providing a venue for people to voice their beliefs and emotions. We definitely achieved those things.”

The march was indeed peaceful, and some of the marchers brought their children to participate. According to Davidson and Corbin, this was their intent in planning the event. There was an art table run by an art teacher from Carson City for children at the rally.

Corbin said that children are a big part of why she organized the march and why she continues to fight for GMO labeling.

“I’m here for my grandkids,” Corbin said. “For them to have an opportunity to be healthy and to have children when they grow up. For them to be able to think and be able to learn. GMOs affect all of those things. … This is an abomination.”

Davidson became interested in GMOs about 13 years ago when the company she owns with her husband, Davidson’s Teas, decided to convert to organic. Because organic food forbids GMOs, she had to change to a supplier that could verify the absence of GMOs in its products. It became a larger issue in her life when she became a member of the Nevada Organic Council, but she says it has now affected her on a more personal level.

“Honestly for me, early on it became a spiritual issue, and I think that’s the primary reason I’m willing to work for this cause,” Davidson said. “GMOs negatively affect all of life and the well being of all living things—not just humans, but all animals, insects, plants, the soil and water…This was a painful realization for me, but also an inspiration to do what I could for the cause.”