Sustainable agriculture and ethical practices are vitally important to maintaining a food system that can support the planet’s population.  We’re fortunate to have the focus and research towards that goal right here in our backyard.  To learn more about The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, located at the UC Santa Cruz, click here – [link]

Our efforts to reduce our carbon impact on the environment continue to improve.  Late last year we finished the solar expansion that powers our candy making facility.  We just received this image which shows the installation on top of our buildings.  Check this out!

SunRidge Farms is pleased to announce that we have Organic Greek Yogurt Raisins now available.   Click here to order – [link]

As we roll into the holiday season we know we’ll be seeing cranberries everywhere.  That’s a good thing as they are a true superfood that can be enjoyed year round.  See this article from WebMD highlighting cranberries benefits – [link]

The Associated Press has put together a story that ties together ‘green’ energy from corn produced ethanol and significant environmental damage.  Though this story relates to alternative energy production it touches on Monsanto and Dow Chemical’s role in corn production which has helped fuel this effort regardless of consequences.  Here’s the full story – [link]

While it still appears that I 522 will come up a bit short in Washington, the vote is around 52%No to 48%Yes, that margin is narrowing as final votes are counted in the exclusive mail in format that Washington State uses.  Let’s hope it narrows further and that we continue to fight this battle so that the foods we produce will impacted positively both from the environmental perspective as well as a health perspective.  See more here – [link]

Early returns suggest that voters in Washington State will narrowly reject the mandatory labeling of GMO’s.  The power of out of state money for the NO campaign clearly was a factor.  More on the latest here – [link]

Today is the last day for Washington State voters to send in their ballot.  One major decision based on GMO labeling that impacts the nation, I-522, will be made.   To learn more –Please join the United Natural Products Alliance for this breaking news webinar: From Washington to Washington: The Mandate for Non-GMO Labeling, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, 10 a.m. MST. To register for the webinar, please visit unpa.com/events. Here’s more information – [link]

If anything is telling in Washington State’s I-522 campaign for labeling of GMO’s it’s the fact that ONLY 5 individuals have contributed to the No side.  All of the other $21+Million has come from corporations, and a majority of that from only a handful of companies.  That should be the only information a rational citizen of the state should need to make a decision to vote the other way next Tuesday.  Please see through the smoke screens attempting to discredit the initiative; VOTE YES ON I-522.  Good luck Washington! See the article here – [link]

Just down the street from our headquarters the community of Pajaro is getting a new park including a new artificial turf soccer/baseball field.  SunRidge Farms is proud to be one of the private sponsors of this park and look forward to the grand opening December 10, 2013.Here’s a link to the local newspaper, The Register-Pajaronian – [link]