Public policy work & outreach

PCC supports efforts to build community and advocate for public policies that support organic agriculture and sustainability. Here are reports of our activity:

November 2008 report

Drafted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), explaining why its proposed “naturally raised” label would be deficient and misleading.
Supported efforts before the Pierce County Conservation District for a USDA Mobile Meat Processing Unit to support ranchers in the south Puget Sound area.
Signed on to a letter to the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, advocating a phase-out of nontherapeutic antibiotics for livestock.
Drafted a letter to the Food and Drug Administration opposing the proposed final rule approving irradiation for fresh spinach and lettuce.
Supported a lawsuit filed by 15 California almond growers and sellers to overturn a year-old law requiring domestic almonds to be sterilized/pasteurized.
Submitted a declaration requested by the Organic Seed Alliance and the Center for Food Safety on the potential impact of genetically modified sugar beets to PCC products and customers.

February 2008 report

In the past quarter, PCC has engaged in the following to advocate sustainable public policies and build community:

Representatives from the Laurel Rubin Farmworker Justice Project presented a summary of recent work before the PCC Board of Trustees. The Sound Consumer will have a cover story soon.
PCC was a major sponsor of the Washington Toxics Coalition annual benefit dinner auction. Ten PCC staff and board members attended.
PCC staff attended the annual Washington Tilth Producers conference in Yakima.
As part of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Team, PCC helped refine the Declaration of Sustainability in the organic food trade, particularly criteria for becoming a signatory, and standards for distribution, energy and climate change.
PCC offered a presentation on diabetes before low-income seniors in the Rainier Valley.
PCC participated in a Washington State Small Farms/Direct Marketing Advisory Board meeting in Ellensburg.
PCC staff offered a presentation at West Seattle about PCC policies and industrial practices revealed by the book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.”
PCC participated in a Cascade Harvest Board meeting to develop strategic plans.