New Member Profile: Non-GMO Project

The Non-GMO Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 2007.  

“It was founded during a time when GMOs were kind of top of the news cycle,” said Cameron Miller, Non-GMO Project chief executive of business strategy and innovation. “There was concern across just the general populace at large about GMOs coming to the market.”  

Through this concern, two different retailers came together to consider how to inform consumers about what was in their food. 

The company’s mission is to build and preserve the non-GMO food supply for all. Through a rigorous standard, the organization provides labels to non-GMO foods, allowing consumers to choose for themselves if they want to purchase GMOs or not. This process allows the standard to remain consistent across different states, even if state regulations are different.  

“Our theory of change is that by creating a demand and premium for products that are non-GMO at the consumer level, we incent consumer packaged goods companies to create products that are non-GMO. Through that there’s a pull-through effect through the supply chain,” Miller said. “I would say we’ve exceeded our wildest dreams in terms of market impact.” 

Joining SSGA 

As one of the newest members of the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance , the Non-GMO Project is hoping to expand its reach up the processing chain – not only reaching consumers, but producers and farmers as well. Some members  of SSGA are already Non-GMO Project-verified, but the organization is hoping to reach more in the early section of the supply chain. 

“I would say that SSGA is uniquely positioned, and we’re really excited to be a member and get to know your folks better and see how we might better help, support and add value for you all,” Miller said. 

Miller and Hans Eisenbeis, director of mission & messaging, presented about their organization during SSGA’s June 25 board meeting.  

SSGA Director Bob Sinner believes the addition of the Non-GMO Project to SSGA’s membership is a good fit. 

“The Non-GMO Project team has done a nice job gathering data as it relates to both non-GMO and organic consumer demand,” he said. “This fits well into the wheelhouse of SSGA IP suppliers of food quality ingredients as they analyze and expand their marketing efforts, particularly in the United States.”