The National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (NLGMA) is
coming to Charlotte.
A coalition of the biggest players in the national market for processed leafy
greens has asked the USDA to issue the NLGMA as a means to “minimize
microbial contamination of fresh leafy green vegetables in the growing and
handling processes, enhance the overall quality of fresh product in the marketplace,
and boost public confidence in these commodities. “ Proponents of local,
organic food argue that the agreement would do just the opposite because it
would lead to further concentration in the leafy greens industry into a few
hands, making our food system more susceptible to widespread contamination
outbreaks.

In California and Arizona, where the vast
majority of the nation’s salad greens are grown, industry has already
forced this regime on farmers, and consequences have been bad for farmers and
bad for the environment, without reducing pathogen contamination. For more on
the California
experience, check out the following article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/13/MN0218DVJ8.DTL

The USDA is holding a series of formal hearings on the NLGMA
proposal, and one of them will be taking place in Charlotte,
NC, from 8:30am to 5:00pm on Thurs., October
22, at the Charlotte
Marriott Executive
Park, 5700 Westpark Drive, (704) 527–9650.

The hearing is open for the public, and anyone may sign up
on the day of the hearing to offer testimony.  At each hearing, there will
be sign up forms located directly outside of the meeting room.  The lists
will be provided to the Administrative Law Judge presiding over the proceeding.

Persons wishing to present testimony should be prepared to
submit four copies of their written testimony and/or exhibits at the hearing.  To
see Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s 2007 comments on the idea of
having an NLGMA, visit http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/about.shtml#board
and scroll down to “CFSA at Work.”