MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2002

Community Picnic and Free Food Contrast with Biotech Industry's Convention Opening

(Toronto) On Sunday, June 9, from noon to 4:00, while the biotechnology industry opens BIO 2002, its four-day convention of business strategy sessions and trade show at the Toronto Metro Convention Center, just a few blocks away over 2000 people are expected to turn out for the bioDIVERSITY GMO-free Picnic and Family Fair in Grange Park - to share free organic food, meet local farmers and food producers, hear David Suzuki speak, enjoy live music, and take in a puppet show.

The bioDIVERSITY picnic is hosted by Geneaction, food not lawns, Foodshare, Low Income Families Together, the Toronto Food Policy Council and Greenpeace. "An event like this one could only take place with the support and contributions of many different people, just as a movement for social and ecological sustainability needs to include everyone," commented event coordinator, Christie Young.

The picnic will be opened at noon by the Anishnawbe Women's Drum Group. Throughout the afternoon there will be performances by Woman Ah Run Tings and other Toronto musicians. David Suzuki, prominent Canadian geneticist and environmentalist, will speak at 3pm. There will also be several puppet shows and theater groups, face painting, interactive murals and other children's crafts and activities.

Julie Daniluk is the event producer for the picnic and co-owner of the Big Carrot, the only GMO-free food store in Canada. "Local, small and organic businesses are our largest sponsors with organic farmers and suppliers who want to help make organic food available to everyone." said Daniluk who is planning to feed over 1500 people a free organic lunch, "with no genetically modified ingredients."

"The biotech industry is spending millions on selling their vision for our future," said Young. "While the industry pushes their message, we are having a celebration to voice our own vision for healthy food, vibrant communities and diverse agriculture. And we hope that everyone will join us!"

The bioDIVERSITY picnic is part of the 6th International Grassroots Gathering on Genetic Engineering that includes the bioJUSTICE conference June 7-8.

-30-