You may already realize how our food rights and food choices are being threatened, but do you really?
Last weekend at the 2011 Wise Traditions conference in Dallas, Texas, I became even more passionate about fighting for our 
food rights. I got to hug Michael Schmidt who recently went on a hunger strike in protest of Canadian raw milk laws that have him in hot water. I also spoke with Victoria, the chapter leader from L.A. who went to jail over raw milk a few months ago. (Both cases are still pending, please pray for them.) The more you learn about this issue, the more you'll realize that it could be you protesting with bright signs someday, standing up for your farmer and shouting from the rooftops to the media and social media to regain the right to feed your family what you choose. I came home and drank some raw milk and was even more thankful for our beloved farmers that provide these whole foods to nourish our bodies. (Learn why raw milk is the best milk choice here: Raw Milk Benefits and Information: Q & A with Mark McAfee).
Have you seen this video from the Rawesome raid in California last year? Is this America? Really?
In addition to fighting the fight everywhere we can, we also need to do more to be proactive toward stopping this madness, and Mark McAfee is doing just that. He introduced the new Raw Milk Institute last week at the Wise Traditions conference.
What will the Raw Milk Institute do?
The Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) uses and promotes science-based food safety principles to help create a secure foundation for the growing raw-milk movement. To do this, we take a three-pronged approach:
- Education & Outreach – RAWMI serves as an information resource, both for the dairy industry and for consumers looking to make an informed decision about the safety and benefits of raw milk.
- Training – RAWMI facilitates best practices in the raw milk industry through the evaluation of research findings and “in the field” experience, helping to create individualized food safety plans for each raw milk dairy in our listing.
- Research – RAWMI encourages, promotes, and undertakes research, using approved scientific methods, to inform and enhance our education, outreach, and training programs.
Hear what others are saying about the new Raw Milk Institute:
- Sally Fallon Morell: “The Raw Milk Institute will provide consistent standards for raw milk production and will provide legitimacy for the raw milk movement.“
- Chris Kerston from *Chaffin Family Orchards: “The Raw Milk Institute is about bringing transparency to the raw dairy industry and building a level of safety standards agreed upon by consumers, farmers, and legislators. It brings raw milk out of the shadows with the goal of making it a viable recognized legal farming occupation and make it available for consumers in all states throughout the U.S. and Canada. Right now each state has different raw milk laws, which means there are 50 different permutations for producers and customers to contend with. By standardizing protocols we can form a united front, while still maintaining our liberties and freedoms as both farmers and consumers.” (*By the way, Chaffin Family Orchards does not produce raw milk.)
- David Gumpert: “I think the greatest potential benefit of the Raw Milk Institute is that it demonstrates to the public and the regulator community that raw milk producers are serious about safety standards. There's been a perception that raw milk producers don't place a high priority on safety considerations. RAWMI should change that.“
- Max Kane: “I think the greatest benefit of the new Raw Milk Institute will be helping the common main stream individual break the chains of fear by experiencing raw milk for the first time. After an individual tries raw milk, the experience opens their eyes to a whole new paradigm.“
- Mark A. Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute: “Entrepreneurial farmers who wish to meet consumer demand by supplying raw milk and other dairy products would be well served to maximize their knowledge base in terms of producing a safe, quality product. We hope the Raw Milk Institute will contribute to that process.”
I've joined and donated to the Raw Milk Institute and hope you will, too. We can't just complain about the government involvement in our food choices, we have to support those who are doing more.
In the meantime, are you ready if it's YOU or your farmer/buying club friends who are raided next?
Stay tuned for an upcoming post on just how you should be preparing…
- Read all my posts on Raw milk, including safety issues and more.
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Here’s a book on the topic that you’ll definitely want to read: The Untold Story of Milk
- Raw Milk Benefits and Information: Q & A with Mark McAfee
Pictures from Cheeseslave
CateK says
I’m curious how RAWMI will effect family owners of individual cows who share their extra milk with friends and other family members? Will there be a free or extremely discounted version for them? Most of the folks I know who own their own cow, got one for economic reasons (large families with lots of milk-drinking kids). They don’t need an additional expense.
Susan says
Today I finished my last glass of raw milk (I’m in CA). And this bothers me more than I could ever say. I look forward to my milk more than any other thing I eat all day. It’s always so yummy!
I told my husband that I need my milk for medical reasons: I get depressed without it!! 🙂
But in all seriousness, the latest attempt of the government in CA to rob us of our life-giving milk, has really pissed me off. While at the store today where I buy my milk, there was a gaping hole in the dairy section where OPD usually is. All that hung there was a note from the state saying raw milk had been recalled. I heard two women chit-chatting saying that was a good thing because raw milk is so “dangerous.” I wanted to scream!! The government has the drones so brainwashed, and an erroneous E-coli scare like this doesn’t help our cause much. It is just another layer of fear imposed by our government.
But rather than stew in my frustration, I took the money I usually spend on milk a week ($45) and donated it to the Raw Milk Institute! I hope where ever you live, you will donate too! We have to stand together, folks, because any country that deems pizza as a vegetable has its priorities all screwed up. We foodies need to take a stand, and I can’t think of a better place to start than with Mark McAfee and his Raw Milk Institute!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
I love that idea, just to use that money you would’ve spent on milk to further the raw milk cause!!!!
Sally_Oh says
Thanks, Kelly! My WAPF friend Christy and I just started http://www.fffky.org: Farm Food Freedom KY. We are working with farmers and consumers in KY to protect our rights. I just wrote to Mark to ask how we can get our raw milk farmers certified by RAWMI. I LOVE this idea!!! I don’t want any government agency certifying my milk… One of my friends has a butcher shop and the USDA is working hard to close him down because he butchers for the pastured meats here in KY. I don’t trust those agencies as far as I can throw them.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Yay for you!!!!!! I pray more people do what you’re doing!
AnnMarie Deis says
Pastor Niemoller had a famous speech during the Nazi occupation. It goes like this:
First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
AWESOME words and so poignant in today’s world of food fights.
I will continue to pray for all who are fighting their governments regarding their food choices. Even if I cannot help physically, I will keep my mind on the issue. It’s very important to me!!!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Wow, those words make you think — hopefully they also motivate more to DO something.
AnnMarie Deis says
Kelly, do you know in Michigan any foundation or organization that helps to protect farmers and farmers’/consumers’ rights? I am afraid that the farmers with whom I do business will be affected and I’d like to do something proactively about it. THANKS!!!!! 🙂
KitchenKop says
Do you mean something like the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, only at the local level? I don’t know of anything, but I put the feelers out and will let you know if I hear anything.
Kelly
Sage says
No *wonder* the state of California shut down Orgsnic Pastures this past week! He’s being much too effective for them!
I wonder how much longer before he can sell raw milk again? Has anyone heard how soon they can put raw product back on the sh elves?
KitchenKop says
I think some test results are due in tomorrow.
Here’s their FB page where you can keep up on the latest:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Organic-Pastures-Dairy-RAW-DAIRY-PRODUCTS/171911861180?ref=ts
Kelly
Erica says
We need the Raw Milk police to protect our raw milk 😉