Dec. 18 - Read 'em and weep and other headlines

"Read 'em and weep" was the message in an email that Steve Lutz of The Perishables Group sent me yesterday about the retail performance of some produce categories in October. More on that sobering report later...

As sleet and a winter storm prepare to descend on Kansas City, here are some top headlines snatched from the Web this morning (minus the news story about the latest fad among urban hipsters: pillow fighting):


Women double fruit, veggie intake with switch to Mediterranean diet

Costa Rica measures banana footprint Jorge Sauma says carbon footprint will be calculated within 18 to 24 months, with efforts to be carbon neutral by 2012.

Two Minnesota groups express concern over Vilsack Organic Consumers Association actually wants to block his nomination...right...

South Carolina immigrant law to take effect next month Phased in over 18 months, the law called the toughest in nation and requires employers to check legal status by requiring either a South Carolina driver's license or an identification card from another state. Companies also can use the U.S. Homeland Security's E-verify online database.

UK Retail maket brief Another well done USDA FAS report: From the summary:

In the UK the retail grocery market is concentrated with seventy-five percent market share in the hands of just four supermarket chains. The remainder is scattered over hundreds of outlets. This report overviews the characteristics of UK retail outlets and how best to place US products in the UK market.

Capital One charge offs increase to 7% in November Americans need plastic surgery, as in surgically removing credit cards from their wallets

Median home price in California drops below $300,000

Obama inherits legal battle over no match rule

Roubini: has global stagflation arrived? Roubini says governments will become spenders of first and only resort, leading to deficits in years ahead. Pick your poison?

California passes 38 million residents Babies and immigrants - and babies of immigrants - fuel the growth

Obesity increases gasoline consumption 1 billion gallons of fuel consumption can be attributed to obesity in the U.S.

Does obesity tax work?

Oklahoma state budget to take a hit from a recession

Even with Fed rate cuts, fears persist of extended recession