Made In China

No, we haven’t put our Christmas tree up, but I was reminded by reading this post over at Granny Miller’s Homestead Garden & Pantry, that this Made In China deal has really got me steamed me up lately.

It’s nearly impossible to find anything that isn’t Made In China. From Christmas lights to drinking glasses…..to broccoli!

WHAT?????

Broccoli????

Woodstock Farms….Hummmm never thought much about that name either….WOODSTOCK…..wonder if it’s one in the same???

Probly. Or they were there and loved it or they are just describing their winter supply of fire wood…..I don’t know…but really, that’s not what this is about!

BUT did you know that we now have “Organic” veggies coming from CHINA?

I AM NOT PULLING YOUR LEG!!!!!

Notice ALL the stamps…USDA ORGANIC, ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL QUALITY CERTIFIED ORGANIC.

Do you think they’re trying to convince you that it’s Organic? No REALLY. As if….just as IF it’s not.

Now this will really get into your crawl and I encourage you to write to Woodstock Farm and send them a picture of their Frozen Veggies that are doing just the opposite of what they so proudly display on their website. And I quote: “

The Importance of Farming
There is a growing disconnect between us and food. As food production and distribution systems become increasingly mechanized, and as our supermarkets become ever more sophisticated, it grows harder to make the cognitive leap between the food displayed before us and where it came from. As we move through our busy days, few of us stop to think about the farm, the farmer and the farmer’s place in our lives and yet, almost all that we eat, much of what we wear and more and more of what we use for fuel is brought to us by farmers. Even the wood we use to build and furnish our homes is farmed. Think about it, over 96% of the timber harvest comes from farmed forests.

In the U.S., less than 2% of the population is working in agriculture of some sort – on farms, ranches, groves, vineyards or orchards. But without the work of these good folks, we would be getting almost all of our food, fuel, fabric and timber from other countries where up to 43% of the population of some countries is still engaged in growing crops.

At Woodstock Farms, we honor the farmers that provide us with the things we need for a good, healthy and comfortable life. To those who are engaged in the risky business of production agriculture, we say thank you. We heed the call to support farmers.”

OMIGOLLY! The nerve to pull the wool over our eyes!!!! But then they didn’t say…US farmers…now did they???!!!!!

I challenge you to check the labels on your frozen “Organic” veggies! I’m going to bet that they are MADE IN CHINA!  99% of Whole Foods frozen 365 veggies are MADE IN CHINA! They recently changed one package of California Mixed Veggies!!! What a hoooooot….California Mixed Veggies…MADE IN CHINA!…but now they are actually grown in Cali.

This is the only “organic” frozen veggie I buy….just because I don’t grow broccoli and the kids love Broccoli Casserole for Thanksgiving. And only for Thanksgiving!

But honestly….MADE IN CHINA????

I’m going to make it my goal this Christmas to see how many products we can purchase that AREN’T made in China. Let’s face it. It just might get us back to the true meaning and stop our over consumption of materialism during this time of year. Especially China made materialism. Make a mental note…ok…if you’re like me, mental might not be so good….so pull out that short pencil and make a list of the items you see that are MADE IN THE USA or just NOT Made in China. You might just be surprised.

Mason Ball jars are MADE IN THE USA. Fill them with food if they aren’t already filled. Make cookie jars or give jars of homemade jams & pickles that you packed into the Larder this summer.

Yep, this Christmas I think I’ll be gifting baskets of homemade yummies! I know they will be enjoyed and it wont’ be one more thing to collect dust. And I will not be supporting China.

Here’s my message to Woodstock Farms:

“I am appalled that some or all of your frozen veggies are MADE IN CHINA! Your “story” of the importance of farming is far from the truth of what your practices are. If less then 2% of the USA population is working in agriculture then WHY are you not supporting them???? Your “statement” of “faith” is nothing but a lie and you should be ashamed. I will be boycotting your brand and any brand that has written in small print on the back, “Made in China”.”

Another quote off their Sustainabitlity Page.…do they think this is a joke?

“Harvesting crops at the height of ripeness, bringing them straight to market and shortening the distance from the farm to you, preserves the flavor and freshness of each season. Eating food in season honors the rhythms of nature’s cycles.”

China is over 7,000 miles away…..now, I don’t call that a short distance. Do you?

I could go on and on so it seems from Woodstock Farms website….they always say, “given enough rope, they’ll hang themselves.” Do they think we’re stupid?