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queenfluff
07-16-2007, 03:10 PM
MODS please feel free to move this if it is the wrong section - wasn't sure where to put! :)


Upset about Raw Almond Pasteurization? Some Information about Peaceful Protests and Religious Freedoms!


Hi all!

Here is some information for those of you who live in California
about some protest opportunities for the raw almond law which is just
around the corner! This also contains some additional information
about how this new ruling restricts religious freedom - something
maybe not considered before.

I am not an Essene myself but I think it is important for freedoms to
be protected.

Please read and forward to anyone else you think might be interested
in this.

We should still keep trying to get an exception to this ruling!

Thanks for taking the time to get involved!
Kimberly

-------------------------------------- --------------------------


STOP ALMOND PASTEURIZATION
peaceful protest upcoming opportunities
Below are some meeting dates and times of the Almond Board of
California and its committees between now and September 1st.

The ruling by the Almond Board of California not only takes away
rights of raw foodists, it takes away the religious freedom. Please
help spread the word and do what you can to help reverse the ruling,
which takes effect on September 1, 2007.

PLS SPREAD THE WORD TO ANYONE YOU KNOW IN CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Their meetings typically meet here:

Almond Board Conference Room (“ABC Conference room”)
DoubleTree Hotel (located 10 minutes from Modesto Airport)
1150 Ninth Street
Modesto, CA 95354(209) 526-6000

Here are some future meeting dates of the Board and their committees,
according to their agendas:

Almond Quality Evaluation Task Force Meeting
Jul 20, 2007 12:00 AM - Jul 20, 2007 12:00 AM (a bit vague, perhaps
undecided time.)

International Committee
Jul 31, 2007 9:30 AM
ABC Conference Room, Modesto CA
Dan Cummings, Chairman, International Committee

Food Quality & Safety Committee
Aug 01, 2007 9:00 AM
Almond Board Conference Room

Board Meeting
Aug 01, 2007 1:00 PM
ABC Conference Room, Modesto CA

Watch for other opportunities for peaceful protests. Look into local
laws for such activities. When you have a good turnout, contact the
media! They can help spread the message!

Possible signage:

* What Would Jesus Pasteurize?
* Keep our almonds RAW!
* Leave Organic Almonds Alone!
* Label Pasteurized Foods!


For more information about the almond issue and what you can do:
whatwouldJesuspasteurize.com


Feel free to spread this information widely!


Here is a sample press release...

For immediate release:


What Would Jesus Pasteurize?
Mandatory almond pasteurization decision restricts religious freedom!

As of September 1, 2007, all almonds produced in California, which
are destined for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will be required to
undergo pasteurization, or at least that is the ruling passed by the
Almond Board of California with the backing of the USDA. Raw foodists
around the world depend on a reversal of this ruling. Followers of
the Essene teachings face giving up one of their staples.

The basic reason for this exercise of control over citizen's food is
two separate incidents of salmonella poisoning found in raw almonds
over the last six years. These incidents involved conventional
almonds, not organic almonds. Even though no incidents of salmonella
poisoning have been reported from organic raw almonds, the Almond
Board has decided that they, too, should be pasteurized. So, while
there has been no evidence that raw organic almonds are susceptible
to salmonella poisoning, the group of almond industry leaders are
taking away the major source of one of raw foodists' staples.

Another problem with this ruling is that the pasteurized almonds will
not be required to be labeled as pasteurized. Consumers will likely
still see raw almonds listed only as “raw” almonds. If the
pasteurized almonds are not labeled as “pasteurized”, this will
be
misleading to consumers and removes the public's ability to make
informed decisions.

If there were a lot of other sources of raw almonds, this ruling
might not be as serious an issue. However, California happens to be
the only U.S. state commercially growing almonds. In addition
California grows about 80% of the world’s almonds, according to the
Almond Board of California website.

If this ruling is not reversed, raw foodists may have to decide
between ending a 100% raw diet and ending their consumption of
almonds. A better option may be to help the Almond Board “see the
light” regarding raw organic almonds. It is not September yet, and
consumers need to know both sides of the story.

Citizens of the United States have the freedom to follow the religion
of their choice! This may sound strange when discussing the topic of
almond pasteurization. Pasteurization is a form of cooking. There
are, in the Essene teachings, quotes from Jesus (Yashua) that state
“…prepare not your foods with the fire of death, which kills your
foods, your bodies and your souls also.” Many who follow the raw
food
diet can understand why He would say such a thing. People have
experienced improved, even amazing, health as a result of not cooking
their food. Because followers of the Essene teachings, which include
eating raw foods, may no longer be able to purchase almonds in their
raw state any more, this ruling is actually treading on their
religious rights! The Almond Board is replacing a raw staple with a
pasteurized one. If the Essene followers are unable to find other
truly raw sources of almonds, they either turn their backs on the
teachings or stop eating the almonds. How can this happen in the
U.S.?

This aspect of the almond controversy is addressed on a new website.
You may have heard of “What Would Jesus Do?” How about
WhatWouldJesusPasteurize.com? There is compelling information on this
site about the almond issue and the resulting religious implications.
The site also tells visitors some of the things they can do to
reverse this ruling.

Raw foodists around the world are doing their best to get this ruling
reversed. In the mean time, stock up on your raw almonds… while
they
are still raw!

RawVegan4Health
07-16-2007, 03:18 PM
Thanks! I had actually never heard of Essene before. I do hope this helps change things.

beppa66
07-16-2007, 03:59 PM
Is there an address where we can write to the almond board directly to voice our protest? Or an email address?

queenfluff
07-16-2007, 04:16 PM
Yes, I believe I posted it on another almond thread but here it is again- I have also included a sample email for people send (we sent out this letter as of a blitz we did a few months ago - I wasn't on this board then). I don't have an address. Snail mail takes too long anyhow.

I have the Almond Boards info somewhere but I need to look for it - let me know if you want that.



Telephone: 202-720-3631
Fax: 202-720-2166
E-mail: Mike.Johanns@usda.gov and agsec@usda.gov

Tell Secretary Johanns the following and please sign your name with full address and email!

“Secretary Johanns, I am against the Agricultural Marketing Service Rule published March 30, 2007, regarding
the treatment of raw almonds. The mandated treatment will change the quality of almonds as raw or living foods.
I want to choose what kind of almond I buy, and this rule removes this important choice. Consumers, small
suppliers, and small growers were not effectively notified during the comment period, and therefore had no
meaningful chance to be heard. This ruling could force family farms out of business, ignores the underlying
systemic problems with conventional agriculture that cause food contamination, and is an outrage to consumers
who choose raw organic raw almonds for their health and flavor benefits. I request that this rule be modified to
allow consumers the choice to purchase RAW organic almonds. Consumers have the right to this choice! "

beppa66
07-16-2007, 04:20 PM
I'll fax them tonight!

Raw Bunny
07-16-2007, 07:37 PM
Thank you for posting this information. I am not in California, so I won't be able to make the protests. However, I did just send out a protest email.