http://www.care2.com/greenliving/mcdonalds-fries-to-go-pesticide-free.html
McDonald’s Fries to Go Pesticide-Free?
McDonald’s, the States’ largest purchaser of potatoes, is taking preliminary steps to go pesticide-free, Reuters reports. Investor groups had been pushing for the move, and now McDonald’s looks like it’s bending. It will now take steps to reduce pesticide use in potato production for its supply. Our U.S. potato suppliers are already working with their growers to advance sustainable pesticide practices, such as reductions and alternative methods. And because it accounts for a huge chunk of U.S. spud use, I suppose it’s good that they’re leaning toward organic. But this isn’t some charitable thing, though they’re gonna spin it that way (of course).
Shareholder and labor groups were pushing McDonald’s to address the issue in their company report. They were asking that Mickey D’s publish a report on the steps it could take to possibly reduce the use of chemicals. Then shareholders could vote on a pesticide-free resolution at the fast food giant’s shareholder meeting later this year. But because McDonald’s agreed, there will be no vote on the action. I’m suspicious: they probably didn’t want a bunch of consumer advocates and enviros buying stock for the sole purpose of pulling a Utah land auction on them and forcing them to go all biodegradable, organic, and (gasp!) healthy.
Newground Social Investment Chief Executive Bruce Herbert, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health had this ironic comment on the move: “Because McDonald’s has such a commanding presence in the marketplace, this commitment offers the promise of significant reductions of pesticide use, which will benefit consumer health, as well as farm workers, local agricultural communities and the environment.” Bwahahahaha! April 1st was two days ago! I don’t care how you fry it up. Eating deep-fried organics is not healthy. You could eat sticks of organic butter all day long, but you’re not gonna get any thinner, folks.
On the other hand, if a corporate giant like Mickey D’s forces more companies to go organic, it could help the market considerably. Not to mention the environment. Then again, it could also devalue the work and value of organic farmers and undercut their prices.
Any way you cut those fries, I’m still not biting.
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Well... I don't eat fast food anymore because I'm a full time green person, but there will always be millions of people who eat McDonalds every day, so it's a good thing what their doing or trying to do , I mean at least it's something, don’t you think?
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Wow this explains a lot about thier food.
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Every time i was eating at the Mc Donalds i got sick.
Now i have not been there for over 9 years^^ And im never ever gonna go there again xD
But i hate it how they treat animals to and i dont eat meat anymore for about 2 years now so =D Im proud of my self *lol*xD
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I know the reasons not to eat McDonalds...but they make the best hamburgers. I can't make one that taste like theirs. The fries are the best...good thing I only get there maybe 3 -4 times a year. I am glad to hear they are thinking about pesticide free potatoes.
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We eat at McDonalds occasionally, we usually patronize our locally owned neighborhood "fast food" restaurant. We try to eat healthy, at home, but there are times when we eat out. It's all about making choices. This is one small choice that McDonalds is making, granted not because it's the right thing to do, but because of their image and therefore the bottom line. And, it's only a small first step towards becoming more "green", but it is a first step. If every company in America would take the first step, imagine what could happen.
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I am a vegetarian and eat at McDonald's sparingly. I might have a biscuit w/cheese and a couple BBQ snack wraps (no chicken - you should see the reactions I get, LOL) here and there but I do not eat there all the time.
KindnessNotCruelty.org
VeggieGuide.co.nr
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Why do they only serve french fries from potatoes? I use a good healthy oil and fry up rutabaga, turnips, broccoli, squash etc without a batter. Now if we could just get them to do that, at least it would be somewhat more healthy than always potatoes. I am glad they are going pesticide free for those who eat there. I go pesticide, chemical free in my garden. I have beautiful strawberries right now.
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I'm still citing the son of the fellow who created Baskin Robbins, but this post is right up there. Author's mind works playfully and analytically almost simultaneously. Great piece. Thank you.
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MacDoanalds is the end of the line of whole industrialized food chain. Read the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen if you want to know the whole story. This is a very informative and entertaining book. Where Our Food Comes From by Gary Nabhan gives you even more "food for thought"
Fast food restaurants have now gone world wide and are undermining indigenous diets. Soon the Chinese will be as fat as we are.
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