Consumer Federation of America
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA), which was founded in 1968, is a consumer organization based in Washington, DC. It describes itself as an "advocacy, research, education, and service organization" on issues affecting consumers and "looks out for those who have the greatest needs, especially the least affluent." CFA's membership comprises approximately 280 nonprofit consumer organizations from around the U.S.[1]
Contents
Structure
On its website the CFGA states that "non-profit, pro-consumer organizations that support the mission of CFA qualify for membership. While annual dues payments range as high as $20,000, most organizations contribute between $75 and $1,000 annually. Membership entitles them to elect the Board of Directors, develop and vote on organizational policies, receive CFA News and other regular CFA publications, and qualify for discounted conference registrations."[1]
Funding
CFA takes money from unions and corporations, and Foreman's return signals a new direction as it seeks to become a major player in biotechnology issues with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation.
However, it has accepted funding from the Rockefeller Foundation to "develop an optimum regulatory regime" for genetically engineered foods.
In April 2000 its National Food Policy Conference was sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association and the Olsson, Frank & Weeda law firm, both of which have been driving forces behind the passage of "food disparagement" laws that gut free speech rights on food safety controversies.
Other agribusiness funders of CFA's conference included the International Food Information Council (IFIC), the National Food Processors Association, Kraft, Procter & Gamble, Archer Daniels Midland, General Mills, IBP, Safeway, International Dairy Foods Association and many more companies.[1]
Personnel
Carol Tucker Foreman, CFA's former director, previously worked for the Monsanto company, lobbying in support of the company's campaign to win approval for Monsanto's genetically-engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH).
- President: Kenneth McEldowney
- Executive Director: Stephen Brobeck
- Research Director: Mark Cooper
- Public Affairs Director: Jack Gillis
- Director of Financial Services: Jean Ann Fox
- Legislative Director: Travis Plunkett
- Associate Director: Nancy Register
- Director of International Issues: Mark Silbergeld
- Director of Financial Education: George Barany
- Senior Counsel: Rachel Weintraub
- Director of Consumer Protection: Susan Grant
- Project Director: Mel Hall-Crawford
- Director of Insurance: J. Robert Hunter
- Life Insurance Actuary: James H. Hunt
- CFA’s Food Policy Institute Distinguished Fellow: Carol Tucker Foreman
- Director of Food Policy Institute: Chris Waldrop
- CFA’s Center for Housing Director: Barry Zigas
- Director of Investor Protection: Barbara Roper
- Senator Howard Metzenbaum
Affiliations
- NGO Advisory Council, Fair Labor Association
Contact Information
1620 I Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006
phone: 202-387-6121
Website: http://www.consumerfed.org/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Consumer-Federation-of-America/95864855975?ref=share/
Articles and Resources
Related SourceWatch articles
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Consumer Federation of America, "About CFA", Consumer Federation of America website, accessed April 2009.
External links
- "Will CFA Save GM Foods?", PR Watch, volume 7, number 2, Second Quarter 2000.
- Eric D. Gerst, Vulture Culture: Dirty Deals, Unpaid Claims, and the Coming Collapse of the Insurance Industry, AMACOM Div American Management Association, 2008. ISBN 0814400264 ISBN 9780814400265 (An excerpt of this book, available via Google Books, refers to some of CFA's work.)
- CFA on Youtube
