Feedback on The Ecological Food Society

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I saw the DDT-less apple ad its PSYCHOLOGY TODAY over a year ago and enthusiastically sent my $5.00 to EFS. For months, all I got were apologies and order forms for the most ridiculous (organic deodorants) and overpackaqed supplies , . . and never have I received an option to buy anything to live on except apples, almond butter and honey (all overpriced). All in all, I've had no indication that the EFS is doing anything positive except making money (like they say in your "Plowboy Interview", they're not non-profit),

Michael F. Zinn
Organic Energy Co-op
Fresh Meadows, Queens, N.Y,

I f you had doubts about whether the Ecological Food Society was "on the level", wouldn't it have been a good idea to join for a while and check it out instead of simply interviewing its organizers? Two of us have been members of EFS since early 1971, and we consider it a classic rip-off.

At the same time that the EFS people were running a heavy ad campaign for new members, they were sending old members profuse apologies for the lousy service, using the huge and unexpected response to their first ad as an excuse, Why didn't they stop advertising until they got caught up?

Their "catalog" comes irregularly maybe three times a year and contains about fifteen items, many of which are useless gadgets, Neither of us has ever received any kind of a newsletter, let alone a 90-page one, although one of us did get a copy of NATURAL LIFE STYLES (first issue) from EFS . . , and if they're claiming that as their newsletter, it's downright dishonest.

One reason we joined EFS was that they promised to provide practical advice on stuff to buy and to avoid in the supermarket . . . they have never sent any of that kind of information.

Ann Howe
Andrea Marciano
Cortland, N.Y.

Got my letter to the Ecological Food Society back today with the envelope stamped "out of business". Is the EFS defunct, moved, or . . .?

Fred Scott
Dresden, Ontario

What follows is an exchange betweendisappointed EFS member Bink Williams aid Steve Brown, president of Schiff/Brown & Co. (the New York ad agency behind EFS).

I read your interview in MOTHER NO. 13 with interest, Mr. Brown, since my wife and I joined the EFS over a year ago in hopes of establishing a supply of organic grains, fruits, etc. We have been disappointed with the selection of things offered for sale—mostly dried fruit, vitamins, candy and nuts (the Christmas apples were a welcome change)—and have found most items to be consistently more expansive than what's available locally.

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