I’ve always been a black-and-white kind of person. When I was younger, there was little gray in my life but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the complications and compromises of life have enlarged the gray in some areas of my convictions.

But I still struggle with people who stand on a soapbox and preach about an issue with militant aggressiveness, and then hop off and, with their actions, compromise what they just said. So I’m struggling today with the House Agriculture Committee’s approval of H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.

The bill would establish a national, science-based standard for the safety and labeling of food containing genetically engineered ingredients, commonly known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Conner, H.R. 1599 would eliminate the possibility of a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws, something that would increase costs and reduce choices for both farmers and consumers.

During the markup, the Committee approved an amendment in the nature of a substitute further strengthening several key provisions of the legislation, which was introduced earlier this year by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). Among the changes are provisions to:

•Enhance coordination between the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the USDA in the biotechnology approval process

•Strengthen confidence in the safety of GMO foods by requiring developers to receive written FDA notification that any questions on food safety have been resolved before introduction of new bioengineered products into the marketplace

•Provide consumers greater transparency and confidence by establishing a public website listing all bioengineered plants.

Of course I had to read this about six times in order to comprehend what it said, but that’s not the issue for me. This biggest issue for me is twofold:

Why are we changing an entire labeling system for a few people who may or may not know what a GMO is or what it even stands for? I challenge you to go out in your local grocery store and poll 10 shoppers, asking them what GMO stands for and why it’s supposed to be harmful – and I’m betting you may get one person who knows the answer.

And, probably the most frustrating thing for me, is when I hear people talk about eating only GMO-free, organic and all natural foods claiming that sugar is from the devil, bleached flour should be outlawed and corn syrup is a profanity. And then they turn around and scarf down half of a Domino’s pizza with a couple of chocolate chip cookie chasers. Why do they have so much influence and yet, by their actions, they are complete hypocrites?

Maybe I shouldn’t be so upset about this; maybe I’m feeling guilty because I have a sweet tooth that I satisfy daily. Maybe I’m just too black-and-white. But I’m getting tired of a few people screaming so loudly that everyone in power listens while the majority of the nation walks by the $5 loaf of GMO-free bread to pick up a loaf of white store brand bread … because we simply can’t justify spending $5 on something we can get for a buck.

If the organic and GMO-free fans want their items to be more popular, then bring down the price of your organic butter from $6.50 per pound to $3. Provide a gallon of organic milk for $3.29 instead of $6.89. And we will buy all the organic eggs you can provide for $1.50 a dozen, instead of the $4 you think they are worth. Then, even those of us on a tight budget will be able to afford what you think we should be eating.

Label your items. Market your convictions. Drink your Kool-Aid. The rest of us will be working to make a profit on our farms and ranches while supplying the world with safe, nutritious and affordable food.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.