As an agriculturally focused organization who uplifts small family farmers, NCGA is always pushing to create policies and a culture that supports our environment and community.
From GMOs and Zero Waste to advocating for SNAP recipients and farmers, NCGA is actively involved in policy change at the local and state level while holding ourselves and our vendors to a high standard through our organizational policies.
The following statement is the official NCGA GMO position
The North Coast Grower’s Association is opposed to the use of genetically engineered seeds and crops. We believe that GMO technology goes against the very foundations of sustainable agriculture. The 1990 Farm Bill defines sustainable agriculture this way, “…Over the long term, satisfy human needs, enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base, make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and integrate natural biological processes, sustain economic viability, and enhance the quality of life.” To be truly sustainable agriculture has to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
GMO’s are a strong component of industrial agriculture; they boast unsubstantiated promises of increased yields. In reality they increase the use of pesticides and show no increase in yield while increasing and consolidating corporate control of agriculture.
GMO’s threaten the diversity of our seed base and the status of the world’s seed banks.
GMO crops threaten family farmers by holding them liable under strict patent laws for pollen contaminations that is uncontainable and for which the farmers have no control.
The agencies responsible for regulating agricultural biotechnology, the USDA, FDA and EPA have failed to properly monitor the technology.
There have been no adequate long-term studies. Many of the studies that have been done were conducted by the very companies that stand to benefit financially from the technology.
By unanimous vote, this statement was adopted by the NCGA membership on November 8, 2006
Zero Waste at the Farmers' Markets
What is “Zero Waste” anyway?
Rather than “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Zero Waste plans redirect us to focus on “Prevention, Prevention, Prevention”!
While reusing and recycling is important, we can make our biggest impact by avoiding extra packaging and waste right at the point of purchase. NCGA markets are dedicated to reducing single use plastic, while some type of plastic use is unavoidable, especially when adhering to food safety regulations, most single waste plastic packaging is completely unavoidable.
Here's some easy tips to reduce your waste at our farmers' markets and beyond!
While reusing and recycling is important, we can make our biggest impact by avoiding extra packaging and waste right at the point of purchase. NCGA markets are dedicated to reducing single use plastic, while some type of plastic use is unavoidable, especially when adhering to food safety regulations, most single waste plastic packaging is completely unavoidable.
Here's some easy tips to reduce your waste at our farmers' markets and beyond!
- Choose to bring a reusable plastic container to keep your greens fresh while shopping instead of grabbing a plastic bag (plus, you can stack other goods on top of the greens without fear of damaging them!)
- Bring your own produce and shopping bags
- If you forget : choose a paper bag option instead of plastic!
- If you forget : choose a paper bag option instead of plastic!
- Reusable cloth produce bags are an excellent way to reduce waste
- They can be dampened for proper produce storage when you arrive home
- Bring your own plate or Tupperware, cup, and utensils for the food court
- Most waste generated at the farmers' market is from prepared food packaging
- Most waste generated at the farmers' market is from prepared food packaging
- Make sure to properly separate your landfill and compost into the bins provided
- Carbon and methane are released in alarming quantities at landfills, generated mainly by compostable materials. Composting these materials sequesters carbon and methane in the soil that is created.
- Carbon and methane are released in alarming quantities at landfills, generated mainly by compostable materials. Composting these materials sequesters carbon and methane in the soil that is created.
Our Members Are Committed
As leaders in our community, we take pride in responsible stewardship of our natural resources. All NCGA farmers’ markets are a part of a Zero Waste initiative. NCGA members have set for themselves a set of Zero Waste standards. These standards were created by NCGA member committees and the board of directors.
Starting in April of 2019, compostable has been defined for the NCGA as items that can be composted with services available in Humboldt County. Currently, items labeled as “commercially compostable” will enter our landfill and do not qualify as compostable with NCGA’s standards. These standards allow NCGA to have the maximum amount of control over our waste stream and the environmental impact of our markets.
We encourage you to check out the changes we are making at market and give us your feedback.
Starting in April of 2019, compostable has been defined for the NCGA as items that can be composted with services available in Humboldt County. Currently, items labeled as “commercially compostable” will enter our landfill and do not qualify as compostable with NCGA’s standards. These standards allow NCGA to have the maximum amount of control over our waste stream and the environmental impact of our markets.
We encourage you to check out the changes we are making at market and give us your feedback.