October 26, 2016 National Organic Standards Board   USDA – AMS 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20250 RE: AMS-NOP-16-0049 National Organic Standards Board members: The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) is a grassroots coalition of over 4,000 farmers, gardeners, consumers, retailers, educators, and others who since 1979 have worked to build a healthy food system that brings prosperity to family farmers, safeguards the environment, and provides safe, local food to consumers.  OEFFA employs education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing to promote local and organic foods, helping farmers and consumers connect to build a sustainable food system.  OEFFA’s Certification program has been in operation since 1981.  OEFFA certifies over…

Statement by Amalie Lipstreu, OEFFA Policy Program Coordinator For Immediate Release: July 8, 2016 Contact: Amalie Lipstreu, Policy Program Coordinator, (614) 421-2022, amalie@oeffa.org Lauren Ketcham, Communications Coordinator, (614) 421-2022, lauren@oeffa.org The U.S. Senate passed S.764 last evening. The bill included a provision to address the labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food. The statement below is from OEFFA’s Policy Program Coordinator, Amalie Lipstreu. “We are disappointed that this bill, negotiated behind closed doors with a handful of special interests, was fast tracked on the Senate agenda with not a single hearing, despite the repeated finding that 9 out of 10 U.S. consumers want clear labeling of food containing genetically engineered ingredients.…