Sunflower Farmers' Markets

Pamela R of The Packer alerted me to this fast moving and well done video from CNN about Sunflower Farmers' Markets, founded by Mike Gilliland, who also founded Wild Oats.


More on Sunflower Farmers Markets:


Sunflower Farmers Markets sow seeds of growth

Sunflower Farmers Markets ready to bloom in valley

Election 2008

If you are a political junkie, you will want to bookmark this site, and I've also added a link to the Election 2008 "Votemaster" at the "government and market links" in one of the side frames on my blog. Latest news from the site:

Some of the election results for New Hampshire are already in! The hamlet of Dixville Notch opens its polls at midnight and closes them as soon as all 17 voters have voted, which generally occurs at 12:01 a.m. Here are the results: Obama 70%, Edwards 20%, Richardson 10% (total of 10 votes). On the Republican side: McCain 57%, Romney 29%, Giuliani 14% (7 votes). Historically, Dixville Notch independents tend to vote in the Republican primary, but this year they switched to the Democratic side. This could be good news for Obama and bad news for McCain if it happens statewide.

TK: Could this be the end for Hillary before she even begins? She seems to be enduring, rather than embracing, the process - and that rubs voters the wrong way.

Mexico fresh deciduous

Here is the link to the USDA FAS annual report about the fresh deciduous outlook in Mexico. the 16-page pdf provides a complete breakdown of the apple, pear and table grape outlook in Mexico. Some excerpts about import prospects:

On the apple trade:

The forecast for apple imports for MY 2007/08 is estimated at 200,000 MT, a small increase over MY 2006/07 due to expected lower production in the United States and a decrease in imports. However, more than 80 percent of imports are expected to be of U.S. origin. MY 2005/06 and 2006/07 import estimates were revised upward due to higher demand than previously estimated. However, the dumping duties imposed on U.S. Red and Golden Delicious apples continue to slow imports; nevertheless imports continue to supply the market due to strong demand.

On pears:

Pear imports for MY 2007/08 are forecast at 87,000 MT due to an expected high demand. Pear import estimates for MY 2006/07 were revised upward to 85,106 MT due to a healthy demand despite higher consumer prices. Pear import estimates for MY 2005/06 were revised upward based on trade data. Seventy percent or more of demand has been met by imported product mainly from the U.S.

On grapes:

Table grape imports for MY 2008/07 are forecast at 80,000 MT, almost a five percent increase from MY 2006/07, due to increased demand. Table grape imports for MY 2006/07 were revised downward due to decreased demand for imported grapes at higher prices. Table grape imports for MY 2005/06 were revised upward to reflect higher demand than expected. U.S. and Chilean imports have a zero duty and both countries continue to increase exports to the Mexican market. According to traders, U.S. promotional efforts to export table grape varieties to Mexico, other than Red Globe or Thompson, are resulting in increased sales. U.S. table grapes can only be imported from California due to Mexico’s phytosanitary
restrictions on table grapes from other U.S. states.

The greening of supermarkets

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group passes on this link to the "story of stuff" by activist Annie Leonard. Her Web site describes a "system in crisis" and is a good insight to the passion of sustainability. A true believer.

In England, the National Consumer Council said this in October about the "greening" of supermarkets in the UK, with similar passion. From the NCC:

NCC’s findings indicate that sustainability is fast becoming a mass-market phenomenon – with even lower-end retailers embracing a greener approach.

Sainsbury’s now heads NCC’s annual league table alongside M&S and Waitrose – all were given a B rating. Asda and Tesco made progress over the past year – moving from a D to a C. Perhaps most significant of all in terms of long-term trends, Morrisons and Somerfield have improved their scores from an E to a D.

TK: Here is the link to the 30-page pdf NCC report on "Greener: how supermarkets can make greener shopping easier," The report describes how supermarkets were graded in various respects, relative to waste, organic sales, energy use and others.

They also had commentary - but did not score - "the relative reliance on carbon intensive produce." From the report:

Using aggregate UK fruit import data from HM Revenue and Customs, we compared supermarkets on the full range of fruit they stock and promote, assessing how far the fruit has travelled and how likely it is that this fruit will have been airfreighted.This information gives a useful snapshot of each supermarket’s relative reliance on carbon-intensive produce, as well
as giving information on how much produce comes from less wealthy countries.


TK: Supermarkets must resist the urge to achieve the best "sustainability" score from this group or another. They must be accountable to their shareholders and to their consumers. In many cases, that will mean going 'greener" according to one definition or another. But in other respects - such as the suggestion that importing produce from around the globe to meet consumer demand is somehow wrong-headed - the goals of "sustainability" are at odds with the interests of consumers and of merchants.