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The battle over labeling genetically modified foods is less than $500,000 from becoming the most expensive ballot measure fight in Oregon history.
A $2.5 million contribution from Monsanto Company to the "no" campaign on Measure 92, reported earlier today, brings to total donations in the fight to $15.4 million—nearly two-thirds of it coming from food giants who oppose GMO labeling.
The most money ever raised on an Oregon ballot measure was $15.8 million over a failed tobacco tax in 2007.
A lot of the current spending isn't coming from cash contributions. As WW reported in a Wednesday feature on GMO labeling, Ben & Jerry's changed the name of an ice cream flavor to "Food Fight Fudge Brownie" in support of Measure 92.
The "yes" campaign has now reported a $70,086 in-kind contribution from Ben & Jerry's—which means the Vermont ice cream company has donated products worth that much.
Paige Richardson, spokeswoman for the "yes" campaign on Measure 92, says Ben & Jerry's has donated T-shirts, posters and fliers.
"They've printed materials that they've handed out in their stores," Richardson tells WW. "We've been so excited to have such tremendous support from partners like Ben & Jerry's."
Other partners donating marketing on their products to back GMO labeling?
Whole Foods has given $32,939 of in-kind contributions, including its grocery bags.
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps—also the biggest cash donor to Measure 92—has reported $68,808 of in-kind contributions. That price includes its iconic bottles.
Richardson says the reported spending doesn't include Ben & Jerry's changing an ice-cream name. That was free, she says.
WWeek 2015