Bio-Tech Food Opponents to Debate Mandatory GMO La

Falls Church, VA, Oct. 15, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit dedicated to protecting the constitutional right of consumers to obtain unprocessed and processed foods directly from family farms and artisan food producers, will be holding a fundraiser dinner on Thursday, November 7 from 6:00-10:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Downtown Atlanta Hotel. During the event, Joel Salatin and Dr. Joseph Mercola will debate whether the federal government should mandate genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling on food products.

For those unable to attend the Joe vs. Joel Debate , there will be a pay-per-view video broadcast on the internet. Ticketing information for both are available at www.ftcldf.ticketbud.com/atlanta .

Dr. Mercola, a physician for 25 years and bestselling author, was voted 2009 Ultimate Wellness Game Changer by the Huffington Post and has been featured in TIME Magazine, LA Times , Chicago Magazine , and on CNN, Fox News, ABC News, Today Show, CBS's Washington Unplugged. His website, mercola.com, is the leading natural health website in the world.

Joel Salatin owns Polyface Farm, a multi-generational farm in Swoope, Virginia that produces pasture-based "beyond organic" meat, poultry and eggs. Joel is a prolific author and an ambassador for environmentally responsible, ecologically beneficial sustainable agriculture. His most recent book is Fields of Farmers.

For years, groups of consumers and consumer advocacy groups have demanded labeling of food containing GMO ingredients. Questions discussed in the debate will include:  Where should the GMO war be fought? Are we drawing the battle lines in the right places? Are we creating unintended consequences by our regulatory requests?

David Gumpert, author of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Food Rights , will moderate the formal 32-minute Lincoln/Douglas style debate. Preceding the debate, FTCLDF will host a 3-course southern comfort dinner and after the debate, a dance featuring real food activist and musician Caroline Barringer and her seven-piece New York band, Remixx .

Earlier that day, on November 7, Joel Salatin will offer "Polyface You", a full-day workshop where he will cover multiple topics including Polyface sustainable farming practices, local food marketing, and what an ideal farm-to-consumer food system looks like. He will also answer questions from the attendees. The workshop raises funds for the FTCLDF. For more details, visit www.farmtoconsumer.org/PolyfaceYOU .

The fundraising events take place the day before the 14th Annual International Wise Traditions Conference. Sponsored by the Weston A. Price Foundation, the theme is "Holistic Therapies for Chronic Disease." Conference tickets are available for each day individually and for the entire conference. Pre-registration and more details can be found at www.WiseTraditions.org

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund defends the rights and broadens the freedoms of  family farms and artisan food producers while protecting consumer access to raw milk and nutrient-dense foods. Those concerned can support the FTCLDF, a U.S. based 501(c)(4) nonprofit, by joining or donating online at  www.farmtoconsumer.org or by calling 703-208-FARM (3276).

Event graphics available upon request.

Limited number of media passes available.

Kimberly Hartke at 703-860-2711 or by email,