Organic food at the London Olympics

From Katrina Heron, on Civil Eats:

“…The new rules of the Games dictate that much of the food served—including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, milk, cheeses, and meats—will be sourced in the U.K.; animal products will meet or exceed a “Red Tractor” benchmark (an independent food seal of approval launched by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2000); fish will be demonstrably sustainable; cage-free hens will provide the eggs; milk and chicken will be organic; and drinking water will be free.

“Local and regional foods are a big part of the plan,” says Boycott, and indeed the Olympian PR wires have been buzzing with tales of Welsh lamb, Leicestershire Stilton pie, Perthshire (Scotland) charcuterie, Isle of Wight tomatoes, and sourdough bread from the London borough of Tower Hamlets, baked in a brick oven lined with peat from the nearby Thames. (It is also duly noted that the U.K.’s cultural diversity will be showcased in a wide range of other cuisines, and particular dietary needs—such as vegan and gluten-free—will be met.)

Drought-stricken Glencolton cows hit the road in search of greener pastures

Drought is not just in America. Grey County, where Michael Schmidt’s Glencolton Farms are located, has also been affected. Michael sends this report and these pictures:

Dairy cows on the march. That’s the famous Glencolton Farms blue bus in the background.

Not in my forty years as a farmer did I experience a drought like we have currently. – Michael Schmidt

All pasture land is brown and yellow. No green grass left except the green trees framing the sections.

Yet another public health danger…

As if dealing with raw milk farmers wasn’t keeping public health officials busy enough, here’s something else people are doing to themselves, as if to drive the nanny state apoplexic. From Butch News Youtube channel, via Facebook:

Can you believe this? People seem to be doing whatever they like with their bodies with no regard for the feelings and interests of the State. Clearly public health has a role here to ensure people’s safety.

“Public health authorities across Canada are struggling to address the growing popularity of body modifications such as splitting one’s tongue like a snake’s and surgically altering ears to make them elf-like and pointy, fearing the spread of infection in an unregulated industry.

Cardboard tomatoes from Florida

by Jim Romahn, on Agri007:

“I have just finished reading Tomatoland, by Barry Estabrook, and learned a great deal – most of it not very nice – about how Floridians grow most of the tomatoes we eat when local ones are not available.

Most of the book is about the workers who are exploited. Many are illegal immigrants from Mexico and other Central American countries and because they are afraid of being caught, they are open to exploitation. Some are literally slaves – bought and sold by “owners”, living in squalid conditions and never earning enough to get out of debt.

The tomatoes grow on sand, so all of the nutrients are supplied, mainly as chemical fertilizer. There is a hardpan layer below the sand which holds rainwater and irrigation water; if there’s too much, the fields are drained; if there’s not enough, they are irrigated.

Michael Schmidt wins leave to appeal raw milk verdict — media roundup

The Torstar Toronto free newspaper “Metro” ran a variant of the Canadian Press story, along with this great picture from the Toronto Star archives. Click image to go there.

Leading American raw milk journalist David E. Gumpert, contrasts the Michael Schmidt story to the messy aftermath of the Rawsome food club raids in California. Here’s an excerpt from his The Complete Patient blog:

“It is never a simple matter for a defendant who has lost to the government to convince an appeals court to take another look at the case, whether in Canada or the United States. But on Thursday, the lawyer for Canadian dairy farmer Michael Schmidt convinced an appeals court to re-examine his conviction on 13 counts of violating the province’s dairy laws.

Schmidt wins right to appeal — the Star

From Katherine Fernandez-Blance in the Toronto Star:

From the Toronto Star website. Click image above to go there.

“He’s been fighting for his right to distribute unpasteurized milk for almost two decades, but a Thursday court decision leaves Michael Schmidt one step closer to a resolution.

The 58-year-old Durham, Ont. dairy farmer was convicted of 13 offences in 2011 for selling unpasteurized milk — an illegal activity under health regulations.

Another day in court for raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt — Sun News

From the Toronto Sun: 

Click image above to go to Sun News site to watch video

“TORONTO — These hallowed walls of Ontario’s highest court have heard arguments about murders and embezzlements, bitter divorces and ugly assaults.

But the Court of Appeal has never before been asked to rule on the legality of distributing unpasteurized milk. That’s about to change.

It didn’t take long for Justice Eileen Gillese to decide that raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt deserves yet another day in court. After listening to morning arguments, she ruled the dairy farmer, originally acquitted in 2010, should be allowed to appeal his 2011 conviction for selling his controversial product.

Raw milk appeal breaking news in TO

From CP24 news:

Click image to go to story on CP24

“TORONTO — An Ontario dairy farmer convicted of producing, selling and distributing raw milk has won the right to appeal.

Karen Selick, a lawyer for Michael Schmidt, said the Ontario Court of Appeal granted the leave to appeal Thursday following arguments.

Schmidt was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $9,150 for operating an illegal cow-share business….”

Michael Schmidt today at Osgoode Hall in Toronto — leave to appeal raw milk convictions granted by judge

Michael Schmidt’s appeal to go ahead:

Michael Schmidt talks to media today at Osgoode Hall after his legal victory this morning. That’s Michael’s lawyer, Karen Selick, of the Canadian Constitution Foundation at the left of the photo. Photo David Pickett.

David E. Gumpert reports: “Important win for Michael Schmidt today as the Ontario appeals court agreed to review his case, over govt objections. The judge agreed that inconsistencies in previous rulings and lack of legal precedence justified review.”

Michael Schmidt and raw milk in court today, July 26, Osgoode Hall, Toronto

Today (Thursday July 26th) is the day when raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt returns to court at Osgoode Hall, Toronto to argue that an appeal of the judgements against him for raw milk offenses should be allowed by the court.

Osgoode Hall. Photo via the Law Society of Upper Canada. Click image to go to their website.

Michael Schmidt’s court appearance will take place at the Ontario Court of Appeal, Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West (at University), Toronto.  Court will start at 9:30 a.m.  Spectators are permitted.  People who wish to attend should be aware that they will have to go through security to enter the building.