What the 2014 election results mean for consumers:

Information derived from Marion Nestle at: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2014/11/yesterdays-elections-plenty-of-good-news-for-the-food-movement/

Nov. 5, 2014: Yesterday’s elections: plenty of good news for the food movement.

This article was pretty informative on food-related politics and what the elections mean for issues such as soda taxes, GMO initiatives, minimum wage laws, and the take down of opponents of food stamps. On the subject of soda taxes, I was really pleased that Berkeley and San Francisco were on board with progression, proving to consumers that the underdog can come out on top in the battle against soda-related heart disease, diabetes and strokes. Unfortunately, GMO labeling did not win in Oregon and Colorado because of anti-labeling groups donating more than $60 million to the states in opposition of these laws, claiming that pro-labeling groups used scare tactics and were misleading consumers on the issues of GMOs and biotechnology. Fortunately, the sun shined in four red states on Election Day: South Dakota, Alaska, Arkansas and Nebraska granted minimum wage raises by wide margins. Furthermore, the election results concerning Florida, Pennsylvania and Mississippi were uplifting in that those elected take food stamps and Americans in need seriously, and also demonstrated to concerned consumers that officials do care about the protection of those in need from exploitation of big business, and will do what they were elected to do in order to keep that from happening again. Even though America still has some work to do in order to rid themselves of Monsanto and other imposing big businesses, it was uplifting to see that there is progress being made, and motivating in our effort to making a change for the better in American politics.