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Tropical Traditions Press Release
April 25, 2012
Springville, CA
Tropical Traditions announced today that they were offering a new line of organic heirloom corn grown by small-scale family farmers in western Wisconsin. These organic heirloom corn products include Pride of the North cornmeal, whole kernel corn, and Lady Finger popcorn.
Organic Corn that is Truly GMO-free
Pride of the North organic heirloom corn and Lady Finger open pollinated organic popcorn is grown on small family farms with buffer zones, ensuring that the places where the corn is planted is not downwind from any other conventional corn fields that may be using genetically modified seeds. Watch the video below from one of the farms to see an example of how this certified organic corn is grown, and how they ensure proper buffer zones are in place to prevent cross contamination from other farms. The extra care they take is far beyond what is required by current USDA organic standards. Current organic standards do not require any special buffer zones for the growing of organic corn, therefore much of the supply of certified organic corn in the U.S. could possibly be contaminated by GMO cross pollination.
The farmers in this area told Tropical Traditions owner and CEO Brian Shilhavy many stories about how their farm animals, such as chickens, prefer Pride of the North organic heirloom corn over other varieties. In addition, wild deer in the area will go right through neighboring corn fields without eating it in order to reach the farms growing Pride of the North organic heirloom corn and Ladyfinger open pollinated organic popcorn. Mr. Shilhavy visits these farms each year, as they provide Tropical Traditions with their organic pastured chickens, turkeys, and soy-free eggs. When the farmers told him these stories about their organic heirloom corn, he knew that he wanted to obtain some for his own family and the customers of Tropical Traditions, since the corn was not widely available outside the local area. These heirloom organic corn products are shipped directly from the farm, and the organic cornmeal is milled weekly to order and shipped fresh.
Organic corn shielded by a ridge and forest far from GM crops on other farms.
Organic Corn Grown on Small Bio-diverse farms Practicing Traditional and Sustainable Farming Methods
As the video below shows, Pride of the North organic heirloom corn and Lady Finger open pollinated organic popcorn is not grown in mono-crop fields, like the ones that are typically seen while driving through the Midwest section of the US where one can see rows and rows of nothing but corn. This organic heirloom corn is grown on bio-diverse farms that include other crops, along with farm animals that graze the fields, or pastured chickens that also provide Tropical Traditions’ soy-free eggs. Since this is organic heirloom open pollinated corn, the farmers save some corn from each harvest as seed stock for next year’s planting.
The area of Wisconsin where this organic heirloom corn grows is known as the “driftless” area. This is the same area where Tropical Traditions’ pastured poultry, grass-fed beef, and grass-fed lamb, originates from. It is called the “driftless” area because glaciers drifted around this area during the glacial period. As a result, this area is unique and consists of rolling hills and valleys that the early settlers of Wisconsin recognized as having rich soil for grass and crops. The harsh winters allow for the natural death of organic plant life that returns nutrient rich organic matter to the soil each year. Tropical Traditions offers a full line of organic seasonal produce from these farms that they ship to customers nationwide.
Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. In addition to a full line of coconut oil and coconut products, they also offer organic foods, grass-fed meats, soy-free organic eggs, from small-scale family farms, and non-toxic household products. Bulk discounts are available through their online Healthy Buyer’s Club.
Copyright Tropical Traditions, Inc. Permission granted to republish in full.