Group says Whole Foods CEO benefits from caged meat ban

Right-leaning Center for Consumer Freedom claims Whole Foods Market and its chief executive, John Mackey, will benefit financially from next week’s election. If approved, Question 3 on Massachusett's statewide ballot would ban farmers from using confinement "in a cruel manner," beginning in 2022. The group claims Whole Foods "conspired to reduce the supply of eggs and pork in Massachusetts, which would violate both federal and state antitrust laws" and that Mackey's supermarket will benefit if voters approve the ban. Read more at Eagle-Tribune...

For Helping Immigrants, Chobani’s Founder Draws Threats

Chobani’s founder, Hamdi Ulukaya, is making enemies for his employment methods. Of about 2,000 people employed by the yogurt maker, 300 are refugees. Ulukaya and his company now face racist attacks on social media and threats of a boycott. Read more at The New York Times...

USDA Approves Genetically Engineered Potatoes

In addition to lacking bruises and black spots, Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Co.'s Ranger Russet and Atlantic potatoes are resistant to the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine. The two varieties join a third with the same traits that has already been approved by the USDA and FDA, and is waiting EPA approval. Read more at NBC News...

German cabinet approves draft law banning GMO crops

An EU law approved last year allows for the cultivation of new GMO crops, but also gives individual countries the right to ban them. The German cabinet has approved a draft law doing just that. Under the draft German law, applicants seeking EU approval to cultivate GMO crops will be asked by the German government to remove Germany from the area in the EU where the crops are approved for growing. Read more at Reuters...

Cisco co-founder Sandy Lerner’s next big idea: Redefining road food

Sandy Lerner isn’t just the cofounder of Cisco Systems. She’s also the owner of the first farm in Virginia to be both certified organic and certified humane. Now, she plans to open a new retail and grocery store to accommodate drivers who don’t want to have to compromise for gas station food. Read more at The Washington Post...