GMO Sugar Beets in Boulder County

[Alison Sharley]

Hello All,

I have been watching this group from the sidelines, but may have finally come across an issue that is very dear to my heart. I come from a 4th generation Colorado family and I have always loved the romance of the sugar beet. I also am a huge baker and I have been buying beet sugar as at least some of it is locally grown/produced (unlike imported cane or agave). Last year I was saddened to see that a few GMO sugarbeet crops were being planted in the NW. This year I've been outraged to learn that nearly 90% of sugar beet crops grown this year -- including in Colorado -- are GMO. What is most disenhearting of all is that next year we may have GMO sugar beets grown in Boulder County!

http://www.bouldercounty.org/openspace/Sugarbeets.htm

Just wondering if anyone has been discussing and or researching this topic. I also plan to attend the County Commissioner meeting on Aug. 25th -- if anyone wants to get together and strategize with me!

Thanks,

Alison

[Michael Brownlee]

Hi Alison,

Please see my recent post on EnergyBulletin: http://www.energybulletin.net/49725

Michael Brownlee
Transition Colorado

[Colorado.CA]

Hi Alison -

Would you please share with me your local source (shopping center, co-op, what have you) for the raw beet sugar you mentioned in your post?

Thanks a million,
Catherine

[Alison Sharley]

HI Catherine -- sadly I do not have a source for raw beet sugar (not sure it can be raw?). I've been buying the general Western Sugar Cooperative sugar sold at stores around here. Last year I emailed and asked about GMO and they did not have any GMO beets in their mix. This year I asked again and they replied that their will definitely be GMO beets in their supply. I think there is definitely a market for local non gmo beet sugar, but I think the problem lays with the processing of beets into sugar, which is quite complex. Here is a link to the process as described by Western Sugar:

http://www.westernsugar.com/ProductionAndProcessing.aspx

Michael -- I am off to read your article -- thank you for the link!

Alison