Chipolte Grill made headlines yesterday when they announced they would no longer be using Genetically Engineered ingredients in their products. This is great news for consumers who have a moral opposition to genetically engineered food, and for farmers who will receive a premium for raising non-GMO crops.
Jensen Farms raises GMO and non-GMO crops. We have no moral opposition to GMO. If we could pick GMO crops for all our acres, we probably would. I would love white mold resistant navy beans, or high protein wheat, or aphid resistant soybeans. Unfortunately, those traits are not available. In the case of low protein wheat, we take a dollar discount PER BUSHEL at the elevator when our wheat crop doesn't meet the standards. It is a punch in the gut when the elevator posts $5.50 for wheat, and when the check comes, I receive $4.50 because of low protein. A GMO trait for high protein wheat would be celebrated throughout spring wheat county.
My major concern with the Chipolte announcement is the Good vs Bad argument. If you eat GMOs, you're a bad person. If you choose to pay more for Non-GMO products, you're a good person. That is completely false! It is just a preference. It's like Ford vs Chevy, or Apple vs PC. One decision isn't right or wrong, it's just a decision.
Chipolte is making a business decision based on their consumer preferences. I am just fine with that. Congratulations to the farmers who will be receiving more for their non-GMO corn, sugar, soybeans, and canola. We are blessed to live in a country when consumers have enough disposable income to pay higher prices because of moral beliefs.
Jensen Farms raises GMO and non-GMO crops. We have no moral opposition to GMO. If we could pick GMO crops for all our acres, we probably would. I would love white mold resistant navy beans, or high protein wheat, or aphid resistant soybeans. Unfortunately, those traits are not available. In the case of low protein wheat, we take a dollar discount PER BUSHEL at the elevator when our wheat crop doesn't meet the standards. It is a punch in the gut when the elevator posts $5.50 for wheat, and when the check comes, I receive $4.50 because of low protein. A GMO trait for high protein wheat would be celebrated throughout spring wheat county.
My major concern with the Chipolte announcement is the Good vs Bad argument. If you eat GMOs, you're a bad person. If you choose to pay more for Non-GMO products, you're a good person. That is completely false! It is just a preference. It's like Ford vs Chevy, or Apple vs PC. One decision isn't right or wrong, it's just a decision.
Chipolte is making a business decision based on their consumer preferences. I am just fine with that. Congratulations to the farmers who will be receiving more for their non-GMO corn, sugar, soybeans, and canola. We are blessed to live in a country when consumers have enough disposable income to pay higher prices because of moral beliefs.
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