Scam
A stratagem for gain; a swindle.
Toxic Milk
One of the Yahoo Groups I belong to contained a link to an article on the Body Ecology website. The article is titled Is Milk Making You Sick? The Modern Dangers of Milk You Must Be Aware Of. Sounds ominous. The article explains that beta-casein A1 in milk from common dairy breeds is toxic. Whoa! Does that mean that any dairy I buy in America is poisoning me?
Amasi to the Rescue
But there’s hope! The goods news is that Amasi, a fermented “healing beverage” from ancient lines of African cattle is free of this poison. But there’s only one company in America that sells it. Thank goodness, there’s a link to that company, ’cause I wants me some o’ dat. (I note that the link includes the website owner’s “enroller” number.)
Sign Up to Be an “Independent Mission Marketer”
The link takes me directly to a signup page for Jordan Rubin’s multi-level marketing company Beyond Organic, and a video pops up explaining why I should join. (You’ll have to click on the video on the right, because I’m not an enroller and the video therefore won’t pop up). Here’s part of the video’s message along with my commentary.
You Can Change Your Life and Even Your World
What If you only ate wholesome, farm-fresh foods?
Sounds good so far. I’m into that.
Trading out your conventional products for foods that come straight from the farm and can contribute to a healthier life, not to mention the lasting impact it would have on our agriculture and our environment. One change in your diet can change your life and even your world. That’s the vision of Beyond Organic.
Wow! What a great vision. I bought half a cow, half a pig and a lamb from farmers no further than 50 miles from my home. The farmer 50 miles away was only 5 miles away from the farmer who provides my cat food. I get raw milk and cheese from Showman Farms in Edinboro, a lovely drive unless it’s winter and snowing. I’m happy to buy locally when possible.
Beyond Organic is a virtual farmers’ market providing you with the highest quality organic food staples.
But not providing me with any product or shipping prices prior to signing up. (But I note that the healthful Amasi has been changed to Amasai™ and trademarked.)
But instead of going through a middleman, Beyond Organic brings these pure whole foods and beverages directly to you, straight from the farm to your front door, making an organic, sustainable lifestyle more accessible and convenient than ever.
I have to say, that is pretty convenient (sustainable, not so much). Not as convenient as buying a chest freezer and filling it with a side of beef. I have only to walk downstairs to the basement for that. And it’s cheaper than buying off the Internet. But I would love to avoid driving to the farm for my water. Oh wait, I get my water from my kitchen tap or, if I want to drive, from numerous sources found through Find a Spring.
As the name implies, these foods and beverages aren’t just organic. They’re, well, beyond. Beyond Organic foods are grown as God intended: no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers or other environmental pollutants. And of course they’re not genetically modified.
Aren’t those already the requirements of food certified as organic?
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. What is organic food? — USDA
So how is Beyond Organic’s organic food, well, beyond? And how do you conserve water when you’re shipping it all over the nation?
Beyond Organic foods are fair made, meaning your local farmer gets a fair cut of the deal.
Okay, this outright LIE is why I wrote this blasphemous, nonconformist post! The Beyond Organic website FAQ states:
We have our very own “Beyond Organic” standards of raising and slaughtering animals…As far as we know, we are the only 100% GreenFed™ ranch to combine all of these standards…For the last two years, we have been working on the infrastructure needed to support the production and distribution of the Beyond Organic products. There is also a plan in place for the company to continue to acquire more land, cattle and increase production capacity…All products will be shipped directly from our distribution center in Kansas City to your home
They have their own standards, and they’re the only ones complying with them. And everything ships out of Kansas City. So unless you live near Kansas City, none of the money you spend will go to your local farmer. (Just how did Jordan Rubin magically become my local farmer?)
Beyond Organic meat and dairy comes from Green-Fed™ cattle, and our certified organic farms and ranches never feed grain or administer antibiotics, hormones, or vaccines, and they use Biblical slaughter methods.
How cute! He trademarked another term. What’s the difference between grass-fed and Green-Fed™? Changing the name (and cleverly trademarking it) doesn’t stop abuse. If you want beef that ate only grass, buy “grass-finished” beef. I see no reason to trust Rubin over my local farmer whose farm I can actually visit.
My understanding is that Kosher methods require the animal to be conscious as its throat is slit and it bleeds out. Unless you’re Jewish, I don’t see the upside here. The side of beef I bought received no antibiotics, hormones or vaccines (or so the farmer tells me) and it was humanely dispatched with a bullet to the head. I saw the grass it was eating in summer, and I saw all the grass that was harvested, dried and stored for its winter feed.
Is Beyond Organic a Scam?
Do a search of “Is Beyond Organic a Scam?” and you’ll find all sorts of sites telling you it isn’t. But click on their link to the site and note the “enroller” number. Of course it’s not a scam to them; they’re hoping to cash in.
Multi-Level Marketing Turns You Into an Asshole
Have you ever been a member of an MLM? Here’s how it works. You pay a fee to sign up. This gets you discounts on the product. But the greatest wealth of this so-called self-employment opportunity occurs when you sign others up under you (but the fee is higher).
So first you go through your address book and contact all your friends about this marvelous opportunity. You cajole your family into buying something from you. Most of them become annoyed; some begin to avoid your company.
Then you get really obnoxious. You start cold calling. You purchase literature to hand out (or at least a set of business cards). Maybe you plaster people’s cars with flyers.
You start approaching strangers. Everybody becomes a potential “opportunity” to recruit into your downline. You try to turn every conversation to the subject matter to your “business.” But it’s so draining and demeaning that all your meager profit goes to buying cassettes and books on sales and keeping an upbeat attitude. Any Amway marketer can tell you they have drawers of cassettes to keep them on track.
A very clever Internet marketer might be able to pull it off with his or her own website. Unfortunately…
It seems that not only do independent Mission Marketers have to risk being potentially squashed by big business, but that Beyond Organic itself seems rather hell bent on making its members marketing campaigns an extremely difficult task. — Marketing Beyond Organic more trouble than it’s worth?
Obnoxious MLMers
You’ll also consume a lot of product, because you “believe in it,” and you want everyone to know it. (You also have to convince your subconscious mind that all the money and effort you plow into the venture is worth it.)
I went to a weekend financial seminar attended by a lot of MLMers. One lady sat next to me. She spritzed herself with her special water. She took a pill assisted down her throat with her special water. Then spritzed again. I’m trying to listen to the speaker and this woman was a bustle of marketing activity. She naturally tried to recruit me.
I moved to another seat and another very friendly woman with special stones sat next to me. She told all about their magical qualities, and when I said I wasn’t interested, she ignored me.
Then there’s the gal years ago at Costco who sat across from me while we ate lunch. I couldn’t believe how friendly she was. My faith in humankind was renewed. She asked what I did for a living, and I told her about my new word processing business. She told me she had a lot of friends she could refer to me. Meanwhile, she wanted to send me something. Turned out to be another MLM and I declined the opportunity. Of course, no one was ever referred to me.
This brings up another event. I was with a friend at the mall. A woman got to talking with him, and he came back telling me how friendly she was. She got his phone number and told him she’d call him. He was looking forward to a date with this vivacious woman.
I asked him, “Did she tell you about any opportunity she was involved with that she wanted to share with you?” As a matter of fact, yes. Then it all clicked. My friend understood why she was so friendly (and why her sister kept rolling her eyes). Then he got furious. Yes, a subsequent phone call confirmed she was an MLMer.
It’s Not About Changing the World–It’s About Greed, His and Yours
Beyond Organic appeals to that which is best within us: our desire for small-scale, local agriculture, a nontoxic world and a clean, nutritious dinner table. But it also appeals to our greed.
If you have lots of gullible friends, Jordan Rubin invites you to become a “Beyond-Organic Mission Marketer” so you can help spread the Good word! He says you can “cultivate” your own community of online subscribers, and if you sign up enough people for his “magical” grocery grab-bag of “organic” foodstuffs, you’ll get your groceries for free! — Mischa Popoff
TANSTAAFL, folks! Somebody has to pay. If you’re successful, that’ll be your downline, but you’ll have to be really, really successful. I hope you don’t have a day job.
NOT Sustainable
Listen, I have no beef (no pun intended) with entrepreneurs filling a need. What I do object to is lying to people to do it.
How does my local farmer get a fair cut of the deal?
How sustainable is the fossil fuel required to truck product across the nation?
How sustainable is drawing water from Missouri aquifers and shipping it to your front door?
How sustainable are all the temperature controlled boxes and dry ice required to ship this stuff?
And how sustainable is diverting your dollars from your local economy to M Frikkin’ City?!!!
True Sustainability and Community Building
Do you want grass-fed beef sustainably raised? Then to go Eat Wild and find a farmer in your neighborhood. Or visit Local Harvest to find local farmers’ markets, dairy, eggs, and produce. Learn how to make your own cheese and get a water filter or find a local spring.
You want to give to charity? Then give. You don’t need to join Beyond Organic to do that.
Beyond Organics is about selling beef, dairy and water from Missouri and lining the pockets of Jordan Rubin. When I was first introduced to Beyond Organic I thought I smelled a rat. But what I smell is BO!
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article! I was planning to write about this on my blog (http://www.sugarfreegoodies.wordpress.com) as well, but from a nutritional point of view. They tried to recruit me since my blog is about the *science* of nutrition and obesity, and gave me full access to their site. But after viewing the actual foods I wasn’t impressed; I was appalled.
Aside from being slim pickings (ground beef only; no fruits or vege; mostly ‘water’ and processed goods), and aside from being horribly over-priced (their chocolate bar is $2.00 — an OUNCE!) …. the main ingredient in everything, including the water, is sugar. On top of more sugar. Cane sugar, as if that made a difference.
The food pricing alone makes it clear that this is nothing more than a giant MML designed to make only Rubin’s wallet “healthy” since no one is ever going to buy the food.
I hope more folks like you write about this before good people toss away good money on this trash.
SugarFree
$2 an ounce? I guess that’s what you get when you “cut out the middleman.” How much did they want for the ground beef?
If all they’re selling is the ground beef, what are they doing with the rest of the cow?
What’s just as appalling as Rubin’s Beyond Organic mega-fraud is all the people who promote local, sustainable and whole foods who are signing up for this fiasco. Just shows you how deep their convictions lie. Blech!
Actually, to be called grass fed implies the diet is at least 30% grass – not 100% which is what Jordan Rubin defines as green fed. Organic beef can still have vaccines. Organic cows can still get slaughtered with… well, even a back hoe. As far as find a spring, I apparently have to drive 3 hours to fill up my bottles. But that was a cute idea you had (check zip code 33060). I can drive about 8 hours to pick up my grass fed grain finished beef. Another brilliant critique. But do you have the guts to leave the comments up that I post?
I apologize for being upset at your review. I should have at least read the whole thing and given you a fair chance. But I do wish organic standards were higher.
Michael, organic standards are worthless if no one is enforcing them, and the government doesn’t care about enforcing them. They just care about their fees. Tuesday I’m interviewing a former organic inspector who’s going to explain how corrupt and worthless organic certification is.
Grass fed is supposed to mean grass only, but it got hijacked and corrupted. Calling something green fed is as meaningless as calling it grass fed. What you want to know is if the cow has eaten nothing but grass or if it’s grass-finished. Most of the small farmers marketing to local foodies are finishing their beef on grass, but it’s easy enough to ask. And like my beef supplier told me, she doesn’t have to vaccinate her cows. They live on pasture and are exceptionally healthy.
And if you don’t have a local spring and you’re dead set on buying spring or mountain water, I’m sure you could find something closer than Kansas. Then there’s always water filters, like the Berkey on my site Joanne Unleashed.
But I found a buying club for you in Miami Beach. They have an extensive product list of grass-fed raw dairy and meat. You can inquire with them if grass-fed means grass-finished.
Here’s a Ocala, Florida rancher of grass-fed, grass-finished, hormone and antibiotic-free meat of all kinds. They’re 4 hours away but they will also ship. (They also have a business opportunity.)
Here’s Deep Creek Ranch in DeLand, FL. I don’t think they ship.
I’m sure there are others nearby that are within driving distance or who can ship to you. Shipping beef from Kansas City to Florida is about as unsustainable as you can get.
And as long as you’re respectful, you can disagree with me all you like and I’ll leave your comments. But if you get stupid, I’ll delete them.
Isn’t the whole idea of small farm supposed to be healthier as well? My understanding is that we want to get our meat from farmers that have the ability to grass-feed AND grass-finish. The grass-finish is the part that is the stickler for most of these high profile farms. It seems to me when you loose the whole idea of a FAMILY farm you usually loose a pure product.
Great objective info here! Does anyone happen to know if the above mentioned farms happen to use A2 beta casein cows? (provide dairy for products that are easily digested) To my understanding, Jordan Rubin has made that an exclusive beyond organics product feature. IMO, that alone is rather amazing!
Joanne,
They get $10 for a pound of packaged ground beef. As to what they do with the rest of the beef, they also sell a 12 ounce package of hot dogs for $10. Though of course, you can’t buy just a pound or even two. No, you need to buy entire packages of food.
I’m writing that article about BO now, and will have links to everything from their price lists to their MML compensation scheme with it. If it’s okay with you, I’ll come back here and leave a direct link to my article here for your readers.
SugarFree
http://sugarfreegoodies.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/hello-world
$10 a pound??? Plus shipping?????
When I buy a side of beef, my hamburger costs me around $4.50 to $5.00 per pound, but that’s a discounted price because I’m buying in volume. But then I also get tenderloin for the same price. And roasts and skirt steak and baby back ribs and tongue and heart and on and on.
I’m guessing that his business will be selling the prime cuts to restaurants and high-end grocery stores so he needs to get rid of all the hamburger. There’s a LOT of hamburger in a cow. (Seriously, what in the hell is he doing with the rest of the cow?)
Or maybe folks are just paying the price for meat grown “as God intended.”
Yes, please feel free to submit a link on your article. I look forward to reading it.
Robyn, are you talking about the farms I listed in the comments? I wasn’t looking for dairy; I was looking for meat. I don’t know what those farms offer.
Rubin offers his trademarked Amasai drink, but I don’t know about the cheeses. Maybe Sugarfree knows.
Cheeses? Yes, there are three. Nothing special, one is cheddar. A pound of it is $18.95. Um, that’s not a misprint. Nearly $20 for a pound of cheddar cheese. A drive to Vermont would be cheaper.
I’ll be posting the entire price list, the package/s list (wait till you see those!), and the nutrition labels among other things.
SugarFree
But are the cheeses from A2 cows?
Rubin’s cows are all A2. For folks concerned about that, he’s gone to the extreme to ensure his cattle are all tested. Personally, I think the jury is still out on the A1/A2 information.
We butcher our own animals. We ALWAYS slit their throats because they bleed out fully and the meat tastes SO much better. Also, within slitting their throats, my husband severs the spinal cord so the animal doesn’t feel anything. Healthier, tastier, and much more humane than a gunshot.
I detest MLM’s personally, as the business model is appalling. But, I am a big believer in everyone having options. My daughter lives in the sticks with no farms within 3 hours. She has three young children. She mail orders everything, even her produce, as the only grocery store within 2 hours is a Walmart. She is GRATEFUL to have options like Beyond Organics.
I know plenty of people who sell Norwex, Young Living, Meleluca, etc, and tell them up front that I’m not interested in their products or being invited to a ‘party.’ That way we can maintain our friendship. It works quite well. I also see several stay/work at home moms who make either a small additional income or a large additional income from these ventures. Who am I to discount the benefits of such enterprises, as long as they don’t bother me with it.
I believe Rubin’s farm is in MO, not Kansas.
I picked up my side of Angus last week from a farmer an hour away. All told, I got 171 pounds and it cost me $3.52 per pound, with plenty of steaks, roasts and hamburger. I had the heart ground into the hamburger and I got the tongue (I split it with a friend who got the liver). I even got all the leftover fat for rendering and bones for making stock.
The products are shipped from Kansas City, MISSOURI, not Kansas, so those of us who live in Missouri can DRIVE to pick up our wonderful meat and cheese, etc. NEAR KANSAS, yes, but there are 6 other states driving distance. DO your homework.
Terry wrote: Also, within(sic) slitting their throats, my husband severs the spinal cord so the animal doesn’t feel anything. Healthier, tastier, and much more humane than a gunshot.
I’m sure the animal feels its spinal cord being severed, and I’m sure it experiences fear its mind tries to figure out why it can’t feel its body. How do you position the cow? Does it just stand there on its own as its blood flows out? How more humane is that than a quick gunshot to the head?
Kelly, thanks for the correction on this simple mistake. I have modified my comments.
I’m happy for you that you’re within driving distance of Rubin’s farm, and I’m happy that you’re able (and willing) to pay $10 per pound for hamburger. But I’d hardly call that “changing the world.”
Do tell, what do you think of Rubin’s claim that buying from his farm in Kansas City, MISSOURI, is “fair trade,” putting money into your local farmer’s pocket?
Here’s a lovely video from PETA (no, I’m not a fan) showing the potential abuse of kosher slaughter:
http://bit.ly/9fsQZa
Only those with a strong stomach should watch.
Hi Joanne,
I checked out the B.O. website as the concept sounds interesting, and it looks like the beef is $8 lb IF you pay $19.95 a year for a membership (a la costco)…you get 20% off. Shipping costs, of course, apply but it looks like there isn’t any sales tax, which offsets a little. I too heard that all his cattle are of the A2 variety as one of your commenters mentioned and they also do green-fed and green finished. That is a good question about “the rest of the cow”??? I buy my raw cheese at Wholefoods and much of it is $16/$17/$18 a pound so that doesn’t sound too bad. While I am not an MLM expert or anything I have never understood why everyone is so down on them? To me, it seems very similar to the big entertainment company that I work for that licenses its product from studios and sells it’s programming to cable systems which in turn sells it to their customers…or any retailer like Macy’s or Kroger. Isn’t is just people supplying a product to people that are interested and making a commission? There is margin built into everything you buy – all the products you buy are much cheaper then we pay for them. Why is everyone so down on it? If I’m not interested in the latest eye cream or crafted handbag or vitamin supplement I just say “no” am done with it. I don’t get it…If Jordan is providing a good product and people are willing to pay for it (which it seems fairly new so I guess time will tell) then why dog him for it. Everyone markets their products and trys to make them sound like the best. Anyway, my two cents. Curious about the “fair trade” message…will have to do more research. Seems they partner with Feed the Children or Feed the World maybe (not sure) and some other organizations where you can donate and they will give you money back (for food purchase of course) and also match donations…sounds good. Wholefoods doesn’t do that for me
Loved reading all of this…nice debate and friendly. Thanks! No time to proof read… 
Thank you for this article …I was just referred to his website and something didn’t quite feel right about it.
Your point is indisputable about the packaging and transport of this food.
Also, anytime a person brings religion into their presentation it activates my spidey sense. The several references to Christian church and day camp in his childhood intrigued me also, given that Rubin is a Jewish name.
Enjoying the lively debate, but I especially appreciate Lou Warwin’s defense of MLM participants.
I would much rather visit a friend’s home for the season’s latest accessories or whatever than the rat race of the mall, or trusting in the TV hosts to accurately describe something. I get to personally touch it, etc. and most companies offer quality control guarantees that are beyond what you’ll get from any store, big box or boutique. Seriously, not all MLM’ers are as obnoxious as you think. You probably know several and have no idea that they have a product to offer – and not because they’re no good at selling their stuff.
As for Beyond Organic, I don’t think that shipping all over the U.S. is particularly sustainable, quite the opposite. But here’s where I think their niche in the market is: there are a lot of us Americans who are just now awakening to the organic foods idea… we have no idea what is quality vs. common product. We have very limited knowledge of our farming industry withing a reasonable driving radius, and most of us don’t have a refrigerated truck to drive anywhere to get our beef order, etc. I’m doing good to have a chest freezer.
So I have the idea that B.O. is a good place to start, and when I see the benefits manifest in my family’s health – hopefully within a few months – then I will be inspired to learn even more economic ways to glean the same benefits. For now, I enjoy the fact that Rubin’s done the work for me and I don’t care if it is 20% more than my Farmer’s Market. At least I can order online anytime it’s convenient for me, and I don’t have to spend my Saturday scouting farmer’s markets in hopes of finding an honest rancher or dairy farmer who may or may not be conforming to similar quality standards.
Well, that’s my two cents. Thanks.
Just go to Eat Wild, find a local farmer of grass-fed beef, and buy a side or quarter of a cow. I much prefer $3.50 per pound for the entire half a cow brought home from an hour away using a car.
Just FYI they will send you a product price sheet b4 signing up if you email and ask.
Actually you can see all of their prices on the site with out signing up. If you click the Buy Now page, choose the 3rd and last option (for Retailer- no obigation), and choose the No Referal option it lets you see all of the products with out signing up or making any commitment.
As for “the rest of the cow”… they are expanding the range of foods they provide. From what I have read Ground Beef and Hot Dogs are only the start of their meat line.
Jordan Rubin advocates a varied diet of lots of different types of foods, including a wide variety of clean meats. I can’t see the company stopping with their current products.
The amount of effort that would have to be going into keeping the animals and land Organic to the degree they state they do would be huge – considering how depleted most of our land and animals are. After so many years of giving a shot for every illness or to prevent them, and using a spray for every kind of agricultural ‘pest’ it is actually hard to go back to a natural way. The animals and land are more susceptible then they were to any disease and don’t have the hardiness they once had- a lot of healthy traits have been bred out of our animals! Most animal lines are not encouraged for their hardiness or health- but for their growth rate and compatability in packed areas.
Raising truly healthy animals is quite a feat today. I grew up on a farm and my family raised our own beef, poultry, and a fair amount of garden goods. We used to pick wild Blackberries and Raspberries in neighbouring pastures and woods. The best ones always grew in abandoned areas. They were one of the natural resources being taken out by various sprays used on the feilds to make room for already nutritionally depleted grain stock, which in our area was mosty hay. This hay, grown on depleted soil is fed to large herds of cattle also on a large amount of nutritionally depleted grains.
It is hard to build the soil and animals back up. I have a lot of respect for those who put the effort into doing so. No one is going to ever do it perfectly, but at least we should have more respect for the ones who are trying!!
I have respect for people who are HONEST in their efforts, but Rubin missed that boat.
I have not tried Beyond Organic nor do I know much about it.It seems to me that you call a scam.It seems to me that any business is looking for a gain.There are bad people in all business,not just MLM.Try Madoff.
I would suggest you posibly being a little more open minded.It has been said a mind is like a parachute,It will not work if it is not open.Lots of things sold in Kroger will lead you to an early death.What kind of SCAM is that or possibly Prescription Drugs.What are they for if not INSANE GAIN.just some thoughts.Wayne Bailey
I cannot comment on Jordan Rubin’s new product line at Beyond Organic, (have not tried them yet) but I can comment on his Garden of Life products (vitamins, powders, coconut oil, HSO’s, Better Brain Fish Oils, etc.) because I have been taking them for 6 years.
In 2006 I was hit especially hard with my seasonal cold and then shortly thereafter the flu. I missed work and felt awful. A few weeks later I saw “The Makers Diet” by Mr. Rubin at the store and bought it. I followed the 40 day eating program to get started and have continued it ever since. And, as time went on I added the Garden of Life supplements to my diet. The results: I have not been sick in 6 years. I don’t have joint pain anymore. I can play ball with my kids at the park and my knees, shoulders, and elbows don’t hurt afterwards (I am 50+ years old).
My point is: it feels good to be healthy. I hope all of you find good health as I have.
If Beyond Organic products are of the same quality that Garden of Life products are then they will be excellent. I hope health for all of you.
@Wayne: How does my being open- or closed-minded change the points I made above. You’ve presented no worthy counter arguments.
Joanne: I am not a fan of MLM either. I do agree with with the comments that remind us all that even for those who are interested in health, the environment, sustainability etc. that it is about profit. If we cannot survive financially we cannot effect a change. Even small local farmers are in it for the profit. It is not a dirty word. They would gladly ship their meat for profit if they had the market. Also, It’s great that you have the ability to get to a local farmer. Many people live in large cities and do not have this access. If you live far from the farm your food has to be shipped to you. Sustainable or not. You can’t grow cows in the city. (you can however, make “pink slime” there evidently) I think Jordan Rubin is attempting to get the goods to the people. How can making organic grass fed beef available to the entire US be a bad thing? You do not have to be part of the MLM to get it. It is expensive, I can’t afford anything he is selling (fortunately, like you I have local access for much less $$) but those who can afford it at least have the opportunity. The recent “pink slime” info should make us all push for anyone who is selling real food! PS :Green-fed means his cows never get grain. PPS: He is a Messianic Jew meaning he is a Christian. He lives his faith and yes, it is a part of every aspect of his life, including his business, also, not a dirty word.
hope I made myself clear.
Joanne: I am not a fan of MLM either. I do agree with with the comments that remind us all that even for those who are interested in health, the environment, sustainability etc. that it is about profit. If we cannot survive financially we cannot effect a change. Even small local farmers are in it for the profit. It is not a dirty word. They would gladly ship their meat for profit if they had the market. Also, It’s great that you have the ability to get to a local farmer. Many people live in large cities and do not have this access. If you live far from the farm your food has to be shipped to you. Sustainable or not. You can’t grow cows in the city. (you can however, make “pink slime” there evidently) I think Jordan Rubin is attempting to get the goods to the people. How can making organic grass fed beef available to the entire US be a bad thing? You do not have to be part of the MLM to get it. It is expensive, I can’t afford anything he is selling (fortunately, like you I have local access for much less $$) but those who can afford it at least have the opportunity. The recent “pink slime” info should make us all push for anyone who is selling real food! PS :Green-fed means his cows never get grain. PPS: He is a Messianic Jew meaning he is a Christian. He lives his faith and yes, it is a part of every aspect of his life, including his business, also, not a dirty word.
Sally, where in my post did I criticize Jordan for wanting to make a profit?
Getting beef from half an hour away from my home is sustainable. Getting it from Ohio is not so sustainable, but if that’s all there is… But getting it from Missouri is not sustainable at all for me. Or for most of the United States–Jordan’s target market.
“Green-Fed” is a trademarked term for marketing purposes that describes grass-finished cattle. You know, the kind you buy from reputable farmers all across America.
As for Jordan’s faith, I’ll judge it not by his words but by his actions.
All you folks who post here defending Jordan, please explain this statement to me:
Beyond Organic foods are fair made, meaning your local farmer gets a fair cut of the deal.
How does Jordan accomplish this???
From what I can see from his marketing, Jordan’s a swindler who lies to promote a product.
More questions about Beyond Organic…
The “healthy” chocolate he sells has soy and sugar in it, two things my family avoids like the plague. (Soy of course is seriously harmful to the thyroid and also should never be eaten by men because of the estrogenic effect.)
And what about the “raw” cheese? What temperature is it processed at? This article explains how cheese processed at high enough temps to kill the enzymes is still legally called “raw”: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/raw-cheese-from-store-is-not-raw/