I am not sure what this story is about dated Feb 25, 2016.
Needs further research and asking Whole Foods to share their current stand. This article is based on rehashing of events from 2011 that occurred years ago. The current position of whole foods as I know it has been to play a major influence in requiring the companies they sell products from to label GMO's by a certain year. This stand has been a major factor in causing thousands upon thousands of food manufacturers to join the non-GMO project and label their products. I'll have a chance check in by the end of next weekend, on the accurate and current information. I would not jump to quick about what the story is all about.
March 3, 2016
6 am
For the record one of the most inspiring events at the natural products Expo in 2015 was a workshop organized by Walter Robb co-CEO of Whole Foods Market. He assembled some of the Key national leaders helping the underserved and he called upon the natural food industry to take a stand on helping create better food access.
Here's one of my blogs on this.
It was because of this workshop that I met with Ron Finley for the first time, the gorilla Gardner of Los Angeles who now has a new film out called can you dig it.
WHOLE CITIES FOUNDATION™ AIMS TO BROADEN ACCESS TO FRESH, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND HEALTHY-EATING EDUCATION
Whole Foods Market created the Whole Cities Foundation ™ nonprofit to help make lasting impact on health and wellness; Foundation announces first partnership project in New Orleans to develop community health program
I first heard about the Whole Cities Foundation ™ a Super Sesssion organized by Walt Robb, Co-Ceo @WholeFoodsMarket at the Natural Product Expo West March 6, where he called together a panel of national leaders serving the underserved communities.
See These Plant Your Dream Blogs for more about the Super Session, On the Plant Your Dream Curezone Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry Curezone Blog, http://www.curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2244773
The Whole Cities Foundation ™ and the Walt Robb's Super Session inspired the Plant Your Dream Blog #OpenAccesstoFood for All Campaign that you can read about here and on this Plant Your Dream Blog WordPress,
Whole Foods Market announced today that it has created Whole Cities Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting efforts to increase access to nutritious, fresh food and health education in underserved communities.
This is a Research #PlantYourDreamBlog inspired by a Super Session at #expowest, Entitled Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry. The Natural Product Expo West @ExpoWest. The Natural Product Expo March 4-8, 2015 led to the planting of a Seed Dream of mine for Open Access to Food for All!
The seeds were planted by a number of panel members at this incredible Super Sessiom that took place 1:30 pm-3 Pm, Friday, March 6, @tAnaheimMarriott .
Walt Robb, Co-Ceo of Whole Foods Market organized this powerful Super Session #Expowest, The Natural Peoduct Expo West March 5-8, 2015 that was a repeat of a similar event from the previous year and back by popular demand. It was a life shifter for me and has led to my planting #OpenAccessForFood for All.
WFM has initiated a Whole Cities Foundation to address Food Access. Read more about it HERE in this Press Release.
Back by popular demand, this session urges the natural products industry with a unique opportunity to expand food accessibility and affect change across the U.S. The purpose of this session is three-fold: 1. To broaden and raise awareness of disparate/lack of access to healthy food 2. To introduce the industry to exceptional lineup of panelists with various backgrounds and expertise 3. Call to Action- invite industry leaders to participate in this movement
Speakers on the Food Access Panel, March 6, 1:30-3;00 #ExpoWest
My TIMELINE
Planting #OpenAccessToFood for All!, My Seed Dream, was inspired by this Super Sesssion, March 6.
Seed Planting with Ron Finley, and then Robin Emmons, one of the panelists. I also gave seeds to others on the panel and we initiated followup with @RareSeeds.HSeed Planting with Ron Finley, and then Robin Emmons, one of the panelists. I also gave seeds to others on the panel and we initiated followup with @RareSeeds.
Ron Finley, attending the Walt Robb Organized Super Session at #expowest and spoke from the audience. I planted Open Access to Food for All for the first time after the panel. I have been planting this dream ever since.
The Definition of Food Desert Needs to be Expanded
Food deserts are now defined as areas of cities underserved by stores that sell food. Underserved communities are one of the areas that need to be addressed as we set out to Cultivate Food Justice, In my project, #OpenAccessTo Food for All, I point out that all segments of society are suffering from impoverished food.
Food Reform is needed, and as Ron Finley says, begins at the Soil level.
I add, it begins planting The heirloom Seeds of indigenous cultures in our own back yards as a way to re-establish out lost connection with real food. Real Food commercially grown, is food grown with the concern for nutrition per acre as much as profit per acre. The backbone of healthy food in America will be returning the Know how to grow food, even one seed growing in a container, to the school child. to the individual, and to individuals who become again Good neighbors growing and sharing foods in local open air markets where both garden as well as local farmers are encouraged to grow food.
The present Agricultural system has lost its connection with Culture, the root of the word. Agriculture today is commodity production and takes advantage of the reality that people need food, but no longer know what food is, To make money from the ignorance of innocent people who are given the o.k. to eat junk, facsimile non food masquerading as something to eat, is an assault against nature. The elements within society who promote and give blessing to such assault on common decency need to be halted and their activities arrested, I would like to see police begin to police these real criminal elements, Their wealth redistributed as the natural order re-establishes itself.
The Right to Know movement, and the movement to Just Label it, in reference to Genetically modified food --Gmo's-- is merely the tip on the melting iceberg of Food Reform.
Out of the Campaign to Grow A Healthier Pizza, this movement, as well as through thousands of other inspired vehicles, is taking form.
The solution to Food insecurity will never be remedied by the fail safe measure to lock away in ice the genetic diversity of seeds, The solution to food security will come side by side with 1000's upon thousands of new gardeners growing out original seeds that hold the genetic memory of bio diverse multi cultures.
(For a look at the real condition of food today, please see the recent films, GMO-OMG and Open Sesame, and Food Roulette among a 100 others…)
The institutions of Seed Banks as epitomized by the Petaluma Seed bank, and local seed libraries functioning on public school properties, as well as in public libraries will become the new trend.
Food Reform from Top Down and Bottom Up
I see the role of institutions such as Whole Foods Market #WFM continuing to set the tone that will lead the Supermarket in the direction of Food Reform. This is from the top down. There will continue to be the rising up of Farmers Markets who will serve the continuing trend of shoppers seeking out real food and a return to the communal shopping experience that exists in genetic memory.
The new trend will be the return of the wholesome #EnchantedGardenPantry and the #EnchantedGardenRareSeedsOutpost.
These are projects I am currently reigniting in my own house and on my street that now has two local farmers markets, one located less that 500 yards from my front door on wednesdays, and one on Thursdays within less than two miles at our nearby San Diego State University.
The Prophets of Food Reform from the Top Down will continue to be Authors and writers such as Mark Bittman, Anne Lappe, and Michael Pollan. From the bottom up we will have the Food Bloggers and Bloggers Generically; These are the new Real Media. Social Media is their Outlet.
I am among those bloggers, writing daily on the #plantYourDeamBlog
The Catalysts for Real Food Reform will be the Activists, not only Activist calling out the dead and dying Corporations, but uplifting the new Centralized- Decentralized Intelligence Agency--the individual eccentrics--who finds new ways to live cooperatively with housemates, collectively in groups, and intentionally in co housing and as well as in supra nuclear family units.
This room in our shared household is an extraordinary opportunity for a youthful financially stable person who wants to live within walking distance of SDSU and live within a safe heart centered community atmosphere. Our 1/3 acre is a nature oasis with a charming 76 year old house. This is country living in the city. You get a private room and we share a kitchen, dining room, and living room. Please email Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener. LeslieGoldman1ATme.com or call me, 619.384.2631.
The Pastor, The Rabbi, the Cleric, Leading His
/Her Flock, need to accept responsibility for the role they play in fostering ill health
The last, the meek, the innocent, shall be first, and the first, reaping a false harvest, will be last at Heaven's gate.
In my own sphere of influence, it is insufficient for the Synagogue to offer killer substances at its sanctified meals and gatherings or call out to its innocent children ,"make Heathy Choices" while serving polluted substances masquerading as foods as their main nutritionally debilitated offerings. Such practices lead to bankrupt health.
Steps toward #OpenAccessToFood for All
I do an Unofficial Closing Ceremony a few hours after #Expowest. The planting--toward #OpenAccessToFood for All-- continued in the Unofficial Closing Ceremony, and then did outreach the next day at two more events. Monday morning I brought various organic products to enhance the free Continental breakfast at the Super 8 Disney, my motel.
This was followed by #OrganicDayDowntownDisney, another archetype for a natural event at #expoWest.
Then, March 21, at the turn of Winter to Spring, I paid homage to #integratedHealth, The Integrated Health Conference, San Diego, that provided a platform for many afflicted with cancer and other by-products of our faulty food system to be exposed to healthy alternatives.
i brought local organic food to this event and planted again dreams.
March 29 and Easter at the Hillcrest Farmers Market during a Sound Healing Experience with Kenneth E Goff, Gong master & Friends #OpenAccessToFood for All was more deeply rooted in the farmers market place
Ron Finley Expresses the Dream that Individual Neighbors would learn to Grow Food Together in this TED TALK
At the #ExpoWest Unofficial Closing Ceremony, March 8, 2015
At the #Super8OrganicBreakfast, Monday morning, I supplied Organic Food as as step up. The foods were collected from some of my favorite vendors at #ExpoWest.
FACEBOOK NOTE; MARCH 25
I planted #openaccesstofood with #RonFinley #expowest. Beginning to plant #enchantedGardenrareseedsOutpost w/ @rareseeds on my journey at home as an organic step toward my journey to @heirloomexpo Sept 8–10 2015 Santa Rosa. Winning back our sacred seeds begins with Winning Back Our Our Sacred Seeds at home. #RonFinley #RobinEmmons planted #openaccesstofood with me.
#E3SDSU @goaztecs indigenous corn will grow here! Became Aztec basketball fan. I do not like my team getting sick with the flu or food poisoning before Duke. Championship caliber athletes deserve champion quality food. Food brings health. Bring it on SDSU! FYI Warren Osher. Mariah Gayler Christy Johnson Steve Hays #Integratedhealth Austin Durant Johanna Kether Ted Robb Kelly Shea Jo Dickson Matthew Love Dani Darrow Petersen. Dania Molthenall fan. I do not like my team getting sick with the flu or food poisoning before Duke. Championship caliber athletes deserve champion quality food. Food brings health. Bring it on SDSU!
FYI Warren Osher. Mariah Gayler Christy Johnson Steve Hays #Integratedhealth Austin Durant Johanna Kether Ted Robb Kelly Shea Jo Dickson Matthew Love Dani Darrow Petersen. Dania Molthen
Upward! Onward! An Enchanted Garden Era is Calling Out to Us to Ensure #OpenAccessToFood for All! through planting @RareSeeds. The Right to Know and the Know How to Grow some of our food go hand in hand. Together, we will win back our Sacred Seeds beginning in our own backyards.
A Seed is Born…Telling Kenneth E Goff about the National Heirloom Expo, and making plans to play and plant dreams at more Public Venues…Onward, upward…Today I plant #OpenAccessToFood for All!
Some times I wonder, and others close to me wonder, why do I risk so much in life, and why go through such effort to travel to the National Heirloom Expo in a 68 VW Van, traveling more than 1600 miles?
This is a photo of Kenneth E Goff, the Gong Master, and me, Leslie when we had the idea to come together to bring the Sacred, and the Sacred Sounds into public arenas. This was at the Pacific Symposium in Nov 2014. I was holding and telling him about the existence of the the National Heirloom Expo.
I went into CVS the other night. I was shocked by the rows of candy and big pharma. I saw little I could eat. My prayer is that, in case of an Earthquake, I never be stuck in such a place. Being stuck at the National Heirloom Expo, at the Sonoma Fairgrounds, I would care. There would be enough food for a lifetime, and seeds to grow out more. There would be enough community to live in paradise. Oh God, Thank you for reminding me, why I go through such effort. What I do now, I do for future generations, to preserve something that cannot be lost our @RareSeeds.
Onward! Upward! Today, in the spirit of the Holy Days of Easter and Passover, I plant #OpenAccessToFood for All, even imagining Healthy Food in CVS.
April 1, 2015.
Missouri (The Home of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds) Meets Nature's Path Foods!
This is a photo of my new friend Daniella, who was in charge of the kitchen at the Super 8 the morning after #ExpoWest. I planted a seed to have better breakfast foods at the Super 8. I call this #AllOneSuper8OrganicBreakfast. We will continue the idea, I propose now, at @HeirloomExpo. I want to introduce the good folks from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds to the #EnchantedGardenPantry Recommended Non GMO, Organic, Fair Trade Shopping Guide and stock their family kitchen with these foods!
Super Session:
Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Walt Robb Organizes the Panel
The panel was organized by Walt Robb, CEO for WholefoodsMarket.
FOLLOWING THE PANEL, I INTERACTED WITH:
Robin Emmons
Executive Director
Sow Much Good, Inc.
Profile
After spending 20 years in corporate America, a force tugged inside Robin Emmons to leave her job in the financial services industry for an unplanned journey. One week after quitting, Emmons helped her brother find residence in a mental health facility; however, while being treated he became unhealthy due to the consumption of canned and sugary foods. Robin, a gardener, donated produce to the facility and her brother’s physical health improved dramatically. It was here, in 2008, where Emmons found her passion – using food as a vehicle to promote social justice on important issues such as food access in marginalized communities. The advocate, activist, humanitarian, gardener and now, farmer, dug up her entire backyard and sowed the seeds for the nonprofit, Sow Much Good. She dedicated herself to eliminating systemic barriers in the food system that disproportionately affects the working poor and underserved populations. Since the launch of Sow Much Good, the activist has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about inequities in the food system that eliminate the basic human right of a significant number of people to access clean, healthy food through workshops, farm stands and speaking opportunities. The farmer is an alumna of the McColl Center for Visual Art’s Innovation Institute, a William C. Friday Fellow for Human Relations (2011 – 2013 Class) and a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a degree in Political Science. She has been featured in the local and national media for the organization’s work to alleviate nutritional starvation in low-income communities through gardening. Emmons is a native Bostonian and a NC transplant of 20 years who resides in Huntersville, NC with her husband.
Principles I Live By | Principals I believe most important to live by are 1. Intention – being intentional in your actions and your communications understanding what your goals are and remaining focused. 2. Integrity – Being in integrity with oneself and the people with whom you interact and 3. Authenticity – Being self-aware and always working toward one’s own self actualization. These are the values and principals by which the best leaders live.
With a long and varied entrepreneurial history in natural foods ranging from retailer to farmer to consultant, Walter Robb joined Whole Foods Market in 1991. He opened and operated the Mill Valley, California, store until he became president of the Northern Pacific Region in 1993. Under Robb, the region grew from two to 17 stores, including four acquisitions. Robb then became Executive Vice-President of Operations in 2000, Chief Operating officer in 2001 and Co-President in 2004. Assuming the Co-CEO role in 2010, Walter currently oversees six of Whole Foods Market’s 12 regions as well as purchasing, marketing, distribution and quality standards and serves on the Whole Planet Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition, Robb served two years on the Board of Directors of the Organic Trade Association and currently serves on the advisory board of the Organic Center for Education and Promotion. He is on the Board of Regents for the University of the Pacific. In addition, he has also served as a board member of PotBelly Sandwich Works. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University in 1976 and is a proud father and grandfather with two sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
Sessions
Super Session: Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Bishop James Dukes is a community activist, National Director of Social Justice Impact in United Covenant Churches of Christ, and an advocate for Reentry Programs in Chicago. Since the church relocated to the Englewood community he has been instrumental in the following:
Coordinated the 2006 Anti Violence March for Seritha Woods
President of The Golden Nugget Initiative
Obtaining over 300 Summer Youth Jobs Annually for Englewood Residents
Established LIBERATED Inc as the premier reentry program in the community which assists formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into the Englewood community by reunifying the family
Register 1000 Voters
Gang Summit Organizer
Monday Morning Men and Safe Passage Program with CPS
Host CAPS block President Breakfast
School Uniform Pantry
Board Member of Pastor’s of Englewood
Coordinated Truancy Program with Teamwork Englewood
Health Fairs for HIV / Aids, Prostate Cancer, and Hepatitis
Coordinated Back To School Marches
Active Participant in Citywide turn in gun campaign
CEO of Brothers Helping Brothers Transportation Inc
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Public Safety Transition Team
Chairman of Helping Hands of Englewood
Whole Foods Planning Committee
Safe House Safe Block Project
His academic credentials include:
Bachelor of Science – Business Administration/Accounting — Chicago State University
Master of Arts – Community Counseling/Family Therapy – Chicago State University
Master of Theological Studies — McCormick Theological Seminary
Super Session: Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Oscar Gonzalez
Owner & President
Northgate Gonzalez Market
Profile
Oscar Gonzalez is Co-President of Northgate Gonzalez Market; a family owned supermarket chain. The youngest of 13 children, Oscar’s father and two eldest brothers moved to America from Jalisco, Mexico in 1966 to find work and by 1976 the entire family had immigrated to Southern California.
The family worked hard adapting to a new culture, and in 1980 decided to go into the grocery business. By late 1981, they were able to purchase their second market. Oscar began working in the stores when he was ten years old and worked in a number of positions from box boy to store director at the age of 18. Oscar has been involved in all areas of the business, and has been an integral part of the growth of the company.
At year-end 2014, Northgate Gonzalez Market operates forty stores with over 5,700 associates in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego. They remain focused on staying close to customers and offering fresh quality products while providing an authentic full service to the Hispanic community.
Oscar is a graduate of Pepperdine University’s prestigious Presidential MBA program and serves on the board of Unified Grocers, the Food Marketing Institute, the Western Association of Food Chains and the Homeboy Industries and he has served on the Coca Cola Retailing Council and on the board of Orange Community Bank, as well as an active member in the Young Presidents Organization.
Oscar lives in La Habra Heights, California with his wife Silvia and four children, Karla Teresa, Clarissa, Oscar Miguel and Victoria Nicole.
Sessions
Super Session: Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Will Allen, farmer, founder and CEO of Growing Power Inc., is recognized as a preeminent practitioner of urban agriculture in America and throughout the world.
Will was drafted in both the National Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association. He played in the ABA for a year and then entered the European League, playing for Belgium.
While living in Belgium, Will reconnected with his farming roots. He observed the intensive methods used on small plots by local farmers, and began applying those methods in a garden where he grew food for his family and teammates.
The ultimate direction of Will’s life truly changed when young people from the neighborhood, including kids who lived in the largest low-income public housing project in Milwaukee, began to ask him for advice and assistance with growing their own vegetables. Almost overnight, Will took up the mantle of teacher and trainer, and the impromptu gathering of neighborhood children became the Youth Corps, a program that continues today. In 1995, Growing Power Inc. was born: a not-for-profit center for urban agriculture training and building community food security systems.
Will has been an innovator in methods of composting, vermicomposting (using worms to refine and fertilize compost) and aquaponics (growing fish and food plants in a closed system). These and other intensive practices result in remarkable yields of food, even in a very small area.
In 2008, Will was awarded the John D. and Katherine T. McArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” and named a McArthur Fellow – only the second farmer ever to be so honored.
Will is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. On Feb. 9, 2010, was one of four national spokesmen who stood on the dais with First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House to launch her “Let’s Move!” initiative to reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity by 2015. In May 2010, Time magazine named Will as one of 100 World’s Most Influential People.
Sessions
Super Session: Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Book Signing: Will Allen, author of The Good Food Revolution
After spending 20 years in corporate America, a force tugged inside Robin Emmons to leave her job in the financial services industry for an unplanned journey. One week after quitting, Emmons helped her brother find residence in a mental health facility; however, while being treated he became unhealthy due to the consumption of canned and sugary foods. Robin, a gardener, donated produce to the facility and her brother’s physical health improved dramatically. It was here, in 2008, where Emmons found her passion – using food as a vehicle to promote social justice on important issues such as food access in marginalized communities. The advocate, activist, humanitarian, gardener and now, farmer, dug up her entire backyard and sowed the seeds for the nonprofit, Sow Much Good. She dedicated herself to eliminating systemic barriers in the food system that disproportionately affects the working poor and underserved populations. Since the launch of Sow Much Good, the activist has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about inequities in the food system that eliminate the basic human right of a significant number of people to access clean, healthy food through workshops, farm stands and speaking opportunities. The farmer is an alumna of the McColl Center for Visual Art’s Innovation Institute, a William C. Friday Fellow for Human Relations (2011 – 2013 Class) and a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a degree in Political Science. She has been featured in the local and national media for the organization’s work to alleviate nutritional starvation in low-income communities through gardening. Emmons is a native Bostonian and a NC transplant of 20 years who resides in Huntersville, NC with her husband.
Sessions
Super Session: Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Educator and poet, Clint Smith, teaches English at Parkdale High School in Prince George’s County, MD. In the classroom, Mr. Smith combines his passion for poetry and justice to teach students the importance of their own stories as catalysts for meaningful social action. Outside of the classroom, he serves as the school’s slam poetry coach and is the founder of Parkdale Students for Social Justice, which empowers and trains students to become community organizers. In 2013, Mr. Smith was named the Christine D. Sarbanes Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Humanities Council. He has been featured in the Washington Post and is profiled in the book, “American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom” (Welcome Books, 2013) as one of the top 50 educators in the nation.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Smith is an Individual World Poetry Slam finalist and was a member of Washington D.C.’s 2012 & 2013 National Slam Poetry Teams. His poetry has been featured on TVOne’s Verses & Flow and at the International AIDS Conference, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and Teach For America’s annual alumni conference. In 2012, Mr. Smith served as a cultural ambassador to Swaziland on behalf of the U.S. State Department where he conducted poetry workshops on HIV/AIDS prevention, cross-cultural understanding, and youth empowerment. He is an alumnus of Davidson College and New Orleans’ public school system.
Sessions
Super Session: Food Access & the Role of the Natural Foods Industry
Alert Webmaster
