OCA’s Weekly 3 offers three simple, impactful actions each week to drive change in environmental policy, sustainable agriculture, and personal health. These actions are designed to raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and create lasting change. We’ve already seen significant victories, but real change happens through collective action. By committing to just three actions each week, you become part of a movement for a healthier planet and a more just food system. Together, we can make an even bigger difference!

1. Take Action: Keep Our Work Alive!

This week, we’re asking you to support the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). Facing a significant financial shortfall after losing a major funder, OCA has been compelled to furlough its entire staff to part-time pay. To sustain its vital work—mobilizing consumers, advocating for healthy food systems, and protecting our environment—OCA aims to raise $300,000 through a month-long fundraising campaign. If 2,400 supporters contribute $25 per month, the organization can bridge this gap and continue its mission without further cutbacks. Your support is crucial in ensuring that OCA remains a powerful voice for organic integrity and environmental justice.

2. Personal Health: Keep Glyphosate Out of Your Morning Routine!

Make sure your oat-based cereals are organic to avoid a daily dose of Glyphosate. The widespread use of glyphosate, a herbicide found in products like Roundup, has led to its presence in numerous oat-based breakfast foods, including cereals and snack bars commonly consumed by children and adults daily. Testing by organizations such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has detected glyphosate residues in a significant number of these products, with some levels exceeding what these groups consider safe for children . While regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintain that glyphosate levels in food are within acceptable limits, concerns persist due to its classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as “probably carcinogenic” . This has sparked debates over food safety standards and the need for more stringent regulations to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children.

3. Environment: Native Bees Need Our Help Too!

Restoring and preserving native habitats is essential for the survival of native pollinators—including bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, and bats—which are indispensable to both natural ecosystems and human agriculture. These pollinators have co-evolved with local flora, making them highly effective at pollinating native plants and certain crops. Their activities support biodiversity, enhance genetic diversity, and contribute to the resilience of ecosystems. However, habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have led to significant declines in native pollinator populations. By protecting and restoring native wild habitats, we create environments where these pollinators can thrive, leading to healthier ecosystems and more sustainable food systems. This approach not only benefits wild species but also enhances crop yields and promotes ecological balance, contributing to a more regenerative and resilient environment.

Learn more about why native bees are so important