The Ashtabula, Lake, and Geauga County chapter of Ohio Farmers Union, Family Farm Defenders, and Food and Water Watch are sponsoring an educational rally to promote Country of Origin labeling for meat and fresh fruit and vegetables at the Shaker Square North Union Farmers' Market on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Several local politicians have been invited, including Ohio State Senator Capri Cafaro, who is introducing Country of Origin Labeling legislation into the Ohio Legislature. John Kinsman from Family Farm Defenders and Patty Lovera from Food and Water Watch will also be speaking.

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) was made U.S. law in the 2002 Farm Bill, but Congress has never appropriated funds to implement it, bowing to pressure from agri-business giants who would rather that consumers know as little as possible about where their food comes from and how it is produced. The biggest contributor to anti-COOL implementation has been Wal-Mart, followed by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and then by the giant food processors.