According to the news, the much discussed bill about Country of Origin has become law, and all of us consumers should find it easier to know where our food came from.This is a good opportunity to think, and buy local. Our farmers work hard to give us fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats and milk that are as good and mostly better than what we get from far away.
Country of Origin matters. So buy from Hawaii.
P.S. Meadowgold's milk is not from Hawaii -- wonder if they will have to say that now. However, Foodland is selling a brand from the Big Island's Hamakua Coast that IS fromHawaii. The milk is called Island Dairy, and is from one of the two remaining dairies in the islands.
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When the final rule for all covered commodities became effective on March 16, 2009 it amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. I believe the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program applies only to USDA governed food products.
ReplyDeleteAs someone sensitive to local products I find the labeling and marketing practices of many products are often confusing and deceptive. Regardless of the scale you choose to define your version of local (example, Foreign or domestic, Mexico or US, Hawai’i or Mainland, etc) the lines between local and non local are often very blurred.
It’s a slippery slope with labeling practices ranging from “Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China” to “Assembled in the USA with parts from xxx”.
Hopefully, as the consumer demand for “local” products increases manufactures & retailers will be forced to make origin information more accessible and understandable.
I created http://www.TakeHawaiiHome.com to provide consumers searching for Hawai’i merchandise online a list of local vendors. The site promotes Hawai’i based businesses that sell online because there are many websites not accurately disclosing “state of origin” information by selling "Hawaii" items from places like Ohio, California, and Florida.
Keeping my eye on Meadowgold’s label - LOL!
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Gary Woods
gwoods@takehawaiihome.com
www.TakeHawaiiHome.com
Here is a very relevant and interesting Reuters article titled "Amid State's Plea to Buy Local, Groups Take Action Against Hawaii's Imposter Pork"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS170051+09-Feb-2009+PRN20090209
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Gary Woods
gwoods@takehawaiihome.com
http://www.takehawaiihome.com