1. NON-GMO RETAILER TRAINING AND EDUCATION July 2013

2. Terminology: Definitions  WHAT IS A GMO? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals created through the process of genetic engineering. This experimental technology forces DNA from one species into a different species. The resulting GMOs are unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional breeding.

3. GMO PRODUCTION IN THE U.S. 88% 94% Corn: Soy: Cotton: Sugar Beet: Canola: 90% 95%  Other GM crops that are grown commercially include alfalfa, Hawaiian Papaya, zucchini, and summer squash  Sweet corn is on the market 90% 2011 Production Figures

4. The Grocery Manufacturers Association estimates that GMOs are now present in more than 75% of conventional processed food.

5. GMO Traits  75%-80% of GMO crops grown are engineered for herbicide tolerance (e.g. “Roundup Ready” crops).  The majority of the remaining GMO crops are engineered to produce Bt in their DNA.*  None of the genetically engineered traits in commercial production offer increased yields, drought tolerance or nutritional superiority.**

6. CONCERNS ABOUT GMOs Health impacts*: Reproductive issues, allergenic potential, immune system disturbances, organ disruption Environmental impacts**: Soil and water toxicity, superweeds/superbugs, loss of genetic diversity Societal impacts***: Lack of informed choice, seed contamination, food sovereignty

7. PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW  Nearly all Democrats (93% favor, 2% oppose), Independents (90% favor, 5% oppose) and Republicans (89% favor, 5% oppose) in favor of labeling. Mellman Group  96% believe genetically modified foods should be labeled (6/11, MSNBC)  93% of the American public wants the federal government to require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods (6/11, ABC News)  93% believe GE foods should be labeled (10/10,Thomson Reuters PULSE™ Healthcare Survey  94% believe genetically modified food should be labeled (9/10, Washington Post)

8. Mandatory vs. Voluntary Labeling  AFFIDAVITS  No rejection/ “Action” Threshold  Claim: “May contain genetically engineered ingredients”  TESTING  “Action” Threshold of 0.9%  Claim: “Non-GMO Project Verified”

9. The Non-GMO Project North America’s only:  Consensus-based Standard for GMO avoidance  Third-Party Product Verification Program  Non-GMO Project Verified Seal offers transparency and consistency Voluntary market-based strategy for preserving and building our Non-GMO food supply

11. Services: SPINSscan Natural, SPINSscan Specialty/Gourmet, SPINSscan Conventional Markets Channels-2mm+ Grocery, $1mm+ Drug, Mass Merchandisers +Wal-mart, Sam’s and others Excludes Whole Foods, Trader Joes Dollar growth of Non-GMO Project Verified, Organic and Natural Products at Retail NON-GMO AT RETAIL

12. NON-GMO MONTH  Month-long outreach campaign  A platform for raising awareness on the non- GMO issue

13. Non-GMO Month Lift Grocery $ increases by retailer type begin immediately and are sizeable throughout October, peaking near month end and continuing at lesser levels (halo impact) through mid-November.

14. RETAIL STORES & GMOs Whole Foods commits to GMO transparency by 2018 Other markets also announce their commitment: Lifesource, The Big Carrot, Dean’s, New Leaf Several stores begin to experiment with labeling products that may contain GMO ingredients

15. Communicating the Non-GMO Message  Objective:  Communicate about GMOs with clarity, consistency, and effectiveness  Tone:  Start with the basics, appeal to common sense, and keep it positive

16. Non-GMO Talking Points  The Right to Know  “We have a right to know what’s in our food.”  Ethics of Experimentation  “It’s unethical to be putting an experimental technology into the food we feed our families.”  The Global Picture  “Nearly 50 countries require labels of GMOs, and many of these also have restrictions or bans against GMO food production or sale.”

19. Chris Keefe & Arielle Stein retailers@nongmoproject.org Contact us with Questions