Headline roundup - Aug. 29

Snatched from the Web and the discussion group this morning, a select group of headlines:

Concerns remain as salmonella outbreak ends From the LA Times

"Unquestionably, we're relieved," said Tom Nassif, chief executive of the Irvine-based Western Growers Assn., whose members cultivate about half of the nation's produce. "But we don't want this thing swept under the rug. We still have a lot of people out there hurting."

The industry response is estimated to have cost between $130 million and $250 million, and workers who lost jobs and growers who planted a smaller crop this year will continue to feel the aftershocks.

Several produce executives accused the Food and Drug Administration of running a lengthy, uncertain investigation that shifted suspicion from tomatoes to jalapeno and serrano peppers, shattering consumer confidence.

In struggling Cubas, signs of new opportunities Posted by Big Apple

One of Cuban President Raul Castro’s most dramatic recent announcements was that he would allow private farmers access to up to 100 acres of idle government land.The plan is a shift toward private enterprise in the struggling economy on the socialist island.
At one small roadside farm stand on the outskirts of Havana, crisp bunches of lettuce, green beans and okra are piled on a wooden countertop. What is unique, in this case, is that unlike on larger, state-run farms, these growers get to keep the proceeds from their produce.

Fyffes drops most in 20 years as forecast is cut From Bloomberg

Fyffes Plc fell the most in more than two decades in Dublin trading after the Irish tropical-fruit distributor cut its annual profit forecast because of increases in the cost of fruit and shipping, and a stronger dollar.

Fyffes plunged as much as 37 percent after saying that so- called adjusted earnings before interest and tax will drop to between 12 million euros ($17.7 million) and 15 million euros in 2008, from 17.4 million euros last year. The Dublin-based company said in June that earnings on that basis would grow in ``the mid-teens'' in percentage terms.

The banana distributor, the world's fourth-biggest, said higher average selling prices weren't enough to offset ``substantially'' increased expenses. Shipping fuel costs are about 80 percent higher than at the same stage last year, the company said today in a statement. Rival Chiquita Brands International Inc., owner of the namesake banana trademark, in June forecast a third-quarter loss.

Angola elections bring change to farm sector From Reuters:

But if post-civil war elections in Angola end well, the state-owned land Vilomba is working on could soon be sold to major food producers and the expiration date on his small harvest could equally apply to his own way of life.

U.S.-based Dole Food Co, the world's largest fresh fruit and vegetable producer, and Chiquita Brands International, owner of the namesake banana label, are in talks with local authorities to help recover this valley's once prosperous banana industry.

Freezer sales climb as food prices soar From the AP

Once relegated to the dank corners of the basement, shoppers are re-embracing the deep freezer, stashing bulk-sized purchases of meats, fruits and vegetables there as they work to combat rising food prices.

Across the country, shoppers bought more than 1.1 million freezers during the first six months of the year — up more than 7 percent from the same period last year, according to research firm NPD Group.

That rings up to nearly $400 million in freezer sales — a staggering figure compared to the rest of the home appliance sector, where industry data shows shipments are down nearly 8 percent.

And, experts said, it's a trend that's expected to continue at least through much of next year as penny-pinching shoppers buy in bulk to take advantage of deals or bundle grocery shopping trips to conserve gas.

In case you missed it

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Quick hitters

Some notes this morning from the inbox:

PMA Foundation name change
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Education Foundation announced today that it has officially changed its name to the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent. The name change culminates a three-month long strategic planning process, and more closely reflects the newly refined purpose and goals of the foundation.

“We feel that ‘Foundation for Industry Talent’ conveys our mission more effectively than our former name,” said Cindy Seel, executive director for the foundation. “We are indeed dedicated to education of the produce industry’s labor talent, but more importantly we are dedicated to a broader spectrum of attracting, developing and retaining superior talent to sustain a vibrant, global produce supply chain.”

In recent months, the foundation has been very focused on fulfilling its $5 million goal of its capital campaign, “Our Industry…Our People”. The monies contributed will support the foundation’s 2008-2012 programs, and finance development of new initiatives such as leadership training and education tools to appeal to all levels of industry leaders, visiting professor programs, and information and tools that encourage employee loyalty and retention.

NRA Food Safety - Check out more detail on the Fresh Talk calendar at bottom of the page
The National Restaurant Association today announced that registration is open for its "Food Safety in the 21st Century Marketplace: Best Practices Throughout the Supply Chain" conference in Atlanta October 22-24, 2008. In partnership with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and the Gerson Lehrman Group, the conference will explore the many facets and challenges of food safety, at all points in the foodservice supply chain.

Goodlatte names new communications staffer
Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte is pleased to announce that Tamara Hinton will serve as the new Communications Director for the Committee. Hinton replaces Alise Kowalski who recently took a new position in a public relations firm in Kansas City.
Prior to joining the Committee, Hinton was a general assignment reporter for WVIR NBC29 News for four years. The television station is based in Charlottesville, but she worked in the Augusta County bureau covering Shenandoah Valley news. During her time there she covered everything from agriculture and politics to major national stories such as the Virginia Tech shootings, the 2006 midterm election, and the five year anniversary of September 11^th in New York.