FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2014     

CONTACT: Organic Consumers Association, Katherine Paul, 207.653.3090; Vía Orgánica, Mexico City, Mercedes Lopez, Mercedes@viaorganica.org

FINLAND, Minn. – The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) today announced that its Mexico-based sister organization, Vía Orgánica, has been approved for membership in Consumers International, the largest network of consumer organizations in the world.

“Membership in Consumers International positions our Mexico-based network, Vía Orgánica, for greater participation in global consumer campaigns,” said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association. “Vía Orgánica is expanding its grassroots public education and mobilization activities in Mexico. By joining this international group of more than 250 consumer advocacy organizations, we will collectively be able to promote organic food and farming and exert greater marketplace pressure, on a global scale, in order to hold corporations accountable for their products and activities.”

Vía Orgánica, based in San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City was established in 2009 as a sister organization of the OCA to educate and mobilize Mexico’s growing organic farm and consumer movement. Originally funded by the OCA, Vía Orgánica’s organic market, restaurant, farm school and campaign staff are now largely self-sustaining. Current campaigns of Vía Orgánica and its Mexico allies include successful litigation to stop the commercial planting of Monsanto’s genetically engineered corn, education around the hazards of GMOs and seeds, and the launch of an international boycott against Coke, Monsanto, Bimbo and other food brands who are members of the U.S.-based, pro-GMO  Grocery Manufacturers Association.

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability.

The Organic Consumers Fund is a 501(c)4 allied organization of the Organic Consumers Association, focused on grassroots lobbying and legislative action.