GM foods brought to you by the makers of Agent Orange, DDT and rBGH

  • More than 90% of world’s genetically engineered seeds were developed and sold by the Monsanto Corporation (planted predominantly with Monsanto’s genetically modified corn, cotton, soyabean and canola seeds).
  • Monsanto’s GE seed sales alone brought the company over $4 billion last year. Outside of GE seeds, Monsanto’s past and present product-line has included Agent Orange, DDT, PCBs, rBGH and aspartame.
  • Notable historic quote: “Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA’s job.” – Phil Angell, Monsanto’s director of corporate communications. “Playing God in the Garden” New York Times Magazine, October 25, 1998.

From the Organic Consumers Association newsletter.

Harrison Street Coffee Shop

It seems like Richmond has sprouted up a few veggie restaurants since I was in the area, or at least since I bothered to notice. My mom didn’t seem enthusiastic about Panda Veg so I decided to drag her to Harrison Street Coffee Shop instead. It’s basically a coffee shop that also has about a dozen sandwiches. And apparently they do breakfast as well. I think everything is vegetarian and can be made vegan. I had the Tempeh Ruben and my mom had the Black Bean Hummus Wrap. We both enjoyed them. The Ruben was overflowing with sauerkraut and extremely filling. Looked like all of the sandwiches were under $6 and came with a side of potato chips. I also picked up a vegan chocolate chip scone and eyeballed the vegan peanut butter cups, but didn’t get one. I ate the scone later and it reminded me of how the scones come out from…Garden of Vegan, I think. Good, a touch salty.

I loved the atmosphere of the place. Cozy booths downstairs, and kind of a loft area upstairs with seating. Steady traffic in and out for coffee. Seems like a viable combination the veg items plus the coffee. All in all, if I were to start a veg restaurant this seems like a pretty good idea.

Back in the day I used to hang out in that area a bit. The day being 1984-85. The Village has moved out of their really cool space into an okay one across the street. Used to go to the sub shop right there across the street from Harrison Street Coffee Shop. Weird that it took place 20 years ago.

Harrison Street Coffee Shop outside

Harrison Street Coffee Shop outside

Harrison Street Coffee Shop outside