• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

McDonald's Fries to Go Pesticide-Free?

McDonald’s, the States’ largest purchaser of potatoes, is taking preliminary steps to go pesticide-free, Reuters reports.  Investor groups had been pushing for the move, and now McDonald’s looks like it’s bending.

It will now take steps to reduce pesticide use in potato production for its supply.

Our U.S. potato suppliers are already working with their growers to advance sustainable pesticide practices, such as reductions and alternative methods.

And because it accounts for a huge chunk of U.S. spud use, I suppose it’s good that they’re leaning toward organic. But this isn’t some charitable thing, though they’re gonna spin it that way (of course).

Shareholder and labor groups were pushing McDonald’s to address the issue in their company report. They were asking that Mickey D’s publish a report on the steps it could take to possibly reduce the use of chemicals. Then shareholders could vote on a pesticide-free resolution at the fast food giant’s shareholder meeting later this year.

But because McDonald’s agreed, there will be no vote on the action.  I’m suspicious: they probably didn’t want a bunch of consumer advocates and enviros buying stock for the sole purpose of pulling a Utah land auction on them and forcing them to go all biodegradable, organic, and (gasp!) healthy.

Newground Social Investment Chief Executive Bruce Herbert, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health had this ironic comment on the move:

Because McDonald’s has such a commanding presence in the marketplace, this commitment offers the promise of significant reductions of pesticide use — which will benefit consumer health, as well as farm workers, local agricultural communities and the environment.

“Benefit consumer health”…bwahahahaha! April 1st was yesterday! I don’t care how you fry it up. Eating deep-fried organics is not healthy. You could eat sticks of organic butter all day long, but you’re not gonna get any thinner, folks.

On the other hand, if a corporate giant like Mickey D’s forces more companies to go organic, it could help the market considerably. Not to mention the environment.

Then, it could also devalue the work and value of organic farmers and undercut their prices.

Reminds me very much of the news that Wal-mart was going local. Sounds nice and oh-so responsible to the community.  But it also reeks of greenwashing.

And who knows how these corporate giants, who little value human commitment to hard work (or the land, for that matter) will treat and pay the farmers they work with?

Yeah, any way you cut those fries…I’m still not biting. Thanks anyhow.

Image: dyanna on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Organic is Not the Answer (by itself!)
MaraNatha Nut Butter and Yoga Give Away: We Have a Winner »

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

Hypermedia and High Blood Pressure in Kids

Why does disposable equal wealth?

Strawberries: Super-Hero Or Super-Villain?

California Sues Toy Companies Over Lead Content

I am Not a Mommy Blogger

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

Five Tips For Talking To Your Children About Climate Change

garden

7 simple tips to grow the perfect garden (with kids!)

discipline

Parenting & Discipline: ABC Alternatives to Yelling

5 benefits of cooking with cast iron

International Women’s Day: Supporting Seva

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Midwife Commits Suicide After Baby's Death

Disparity in Maternal Care: Medical Dictionary and Medicaid Should Expand to Include Home Birth

What’s a Better Juice Box? (Do You Know What’s In Yours?)

Vegetarian, Vegan, Herbal Recipes: Fettuccine and Fiddleheads in Thyme Vinaigrette

Green Gift Giveaway and Product Review: Fair Trade, Handloomed, Naturally Dyed SLOWCOLOR Linen Scarves

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.