newsbriefs Elmo-Free Shopping
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n an unprecedented move, MOM’s Organic Market hopes to eliminate the stress that comes from shopping with small children, by refusing to sell products with cartoon characters on the package design. Parents can safely stroll the aisles of all MOM’s stores without worrying whether their toddlers will be screaming for packages with Elmo or Dora the Explorer. MOM’s CEO Steve Nash wants to discourage manufacturers from marketing to children with images of cartoon characters, rather than the quality of their food. An organization called Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) is recognizing MOM’s ethical decision in a presentation to other grocers. They encourage consumers to support MOM’s stance at CommercialFreeChildhood.org/ Action/Celebrate-Moms by sending a thank you letter to Nash. CCFC will share these support letters with other grocery chains to encourage them to discontinue marketing to children. MOM’s Organic Market is located throughout the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia area. For more information, visit MOMsOrganicMarket.com.
Responsible Tourism Takes Off to the Tibetan Plateau
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any tourists travel to Tibet to take in the majestic scenery and experience the richness of Tibetan culture. Unfortunately, many of the newer tour companies are more interested in profit than in showing travelers the real Tibet through connecting with local people. Ethically minded travelers now have a better choice, through a group of responsible Tibetan tour providers valuing people over profit. Thanks to the new D.C.-based business, Yin da Yin (meaning “Of course!” in Tibetan), travelers now have a direct link to a group of experienced, safe and responsible Tibetan-owned and -operated tour providers. Yin da Yin is the brainchild of business partners, Tashi Gyanga and Bradley Aaron, who met while working for a Tibetan-run NGO (nongovernmental organization). Gyanga was born and raised in rural Tibet, while Aaron has a background in community work on the Tibetan plateau. After many conversations with Tibetan entrepreneurs, Gyanga and Aaron started Yin da Yin to tell the world about socially conscious, Tibetan-run tours. For an experience you’ll never forget, traveling the Tibetan plateau in a way that mirrors your values, look no further than Yin da Yin. For more information, email Info@YinDaYin.com or visit YinDaYin.com.
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Cross-Country Tour to Highlight GMO Labeling Kicks Off in D.C.
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n August 5, 17 activists will set out on a 3,300-mile, cross country journey from the nation’s capital to Seattle, Washington, for what is being called the Are We Eating Fishy Food Tour. The tour features five mutant GMO art cars fitted with large roofmounted sculptures, carrying information about the need for labeling on genetically modified organisms (GMO). The tour begins at the west side of the U.S. Capitol at 6:30 p.m. on August 5 (Third Street between Madison and Jefferson) and arrives in Seattle on August 15, where the fishy food cars will debut at Seattle Hempfest. The state of Washington is a national battleground over the GMO food issue. Voters there will decide whether foods with GMO ingredients should be labeled this November. The Are We Eating Fishy Food Tour will pass through 13 states and nine state capitals, with events along the way. A complete schedule of the tour can be found at AreWeEatingFishyFood.com. “The Fishy Food art car fleet’s cross-country swim”, from Washington, D.C. to Washington state, will get people talking about the importance of GMO labeling,” says David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, whose company supported the creation of the art cars. All are invited to send off the Fishy Food Fleet on August 5, as they depart for their cross-country tour to label GMO foods. Follow the Are We Eating Fishy Food Tour’s cross-country swim online at AreWeEatingFishyFood.com.