Organic Activists (page 33)

Pollsters at the food-friendly Economic and Agricultural Trade 2000 website are asking informed consumers if the new USDA organic standards imply an unearned government seal-of-approval on organic rhetoric about safety, nutrition and health. Check ABC's 20/20 story to get the real scoop on organic food.

Last year, Center For Consumer Freedom voiced skepticism about Berkeley, California's school district scheme to serve students only organic, pesticide-free, politically correct fare. Now, not surprisingly to us, Restaurants and Institutions magazine is reporting that since starting the all-organic program, participation levels among kids eligible for free or reduced-cost meals has plunged 50% for breakfast and 30% for lunch. ("Food, news & people," Restaurants and Institutions, 3/15/00.)

Professor of Biogeography Philip Stott of the University of London attack nannies who back organic farming. "The idea that organic farming can ever be a large-scale alternative to other forms of farming is a pernicious recent myth. There are also other elements to this myth, namely that organic farming is 'safer,' 'better,' and more 'natural.'"

The Washington City Paper criticizes "Fresh Fields" grocery stores for using the groundless paranoia generated by activists on issues like food coloring, pesticides, and genetically engineered foods as the basis of their marketing plan.