Vermont is on the road to becoming the first state in the U.S. to pass common sense GMO labeling legislation, but we’ll need your help. We made a huge leap last year, passing a bill through the House of Representatives, and with your help we have the chance to pass the bill through the Senate in 2014!
Now we need your help to get the job done.
Big, out of state companies in the biotech and food producing industries are set on leaving GMOs unlabeled, and they’ll pay to prevent progress. Of course, what they have in money, we have in popular support. By taking action now, you can be part of the solution and help us guarantee your Right to Know what’s in the food you eat and feed your family.
Ways to get involved:
Sign the Petition
GMO labeling is shaping up as a big issue in this legislative session. We need your help to ensure our elected officials realize that we have a right to know what we’re eating and feeding our families. Sign the petition today by clicking here.
Contact your Legislator
Sometimes, the best way to tell your legislator something is to, well, tell them. Give them a call, send them an email, or even mail them a handwritten note. Remember, the most effective messages are the ones that come from the heart, so include your personal perspective on why this issue is important to you! Here are a few ways to get in touch:
- Send an email: You can use our Legislator Contact tool to send a pre-written or customized email to your legislators in the Senate and House. Quick and easy, this action only takes about a minute!
- Give them a call: Another easy way to get the message to your elected official is to give them a call. When the Legislature is in session (January through May) you can leave a message with the Sergeant at Arms office. Give them a call at 802 828 2228. Make sure you mention your name, town, and who you’re leaving the message for. During the rest of the year you can contact your elected officials directly and let them know you support GMO labeling. Just click the links to find the contact info for your Senators and Representatives. Don’t know who your legislators are? Find them here.
- Send a personal note: To really make an impact, one of the best things you can do is to send your legislators a handwritten note about why you support this legislation. Keep it professional, but make it personal! Legislators need to hear the specific reasons they are being asked to do this work! Address your notes like this:
[Your Legislator] 115 State Street Montpelier, VT 05633-5501
Talk to Your Food Producers
Opponents of labeling have expressed concerns that a GMO labeling law would put specialty food producers out of business. We’ve heard from many food producers and farmers who think a labeling law would open new GMO free market opportunities and would enhance the purity of the Vermont brand. Ben & Jerry’s, Drew’s Dressing, and the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibly are among the producers and advocates who support a GMO labeling law, and you can help us grow that list! If you know people in the food industry, ask them how they feel about GE labeling and get them to sign this letter of support. Prefer paper? Print the petition here and have them sign it in person, then mail it back to us at this address:
VPIRG c/o Falko Schilling 141 Main St. Ste. 6 Montpelier, VT 05602
Spread the Word
We need Vermonters in every city and town informed and engaged. There are a few ways to do this:
- Tell your friends: Simple! Just talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about our campaign. Point them to our website at www.vtrighttoknow.org.
- Like us on Facebook: Just head over to www.facebook.com/vtrighttoknow and click ‘Like’. Then, share with your friends.
- Join the VT Right to Know GMOs coalition for a massive grassroots lobby day on Thursday, January 16th. Register here.
- Write a Letter to the Editor: You can use your local newspaper’s opinion page to share your thoughts with community members. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and start the conversation about GMO-labeling in your own community.
- Print and Pass our Petition: When you add names to our petition, not only does it add to our political support, it also adds to the size of our email list, allowing us to drive action from every corner of the state. Just print your own petition, fill it up, and get it back to Alec at VPIRG for databasing. You can do this in two ways; either scan it and email it to vtrighttoknowgmos@gmail.com, or pop it in the mail to this address:
VPIRG c/o Falko Schilling 141 Main St. Ste. 6 Montpelier, VT 05602
The Vermont Right to Know GMOs Coalition is a partnership between Rural Vermont, NOFA Vermont, VPIRG, and Cedar Circle Farm, along with several other associated partners and dozens of supporting businesses and organizations. Together, we work towards the successful passage and implementation of common-sense, mandatory GMO-labeling initiatives in Vermont.
https://www.vpirg.org/gmo/