Al Gore on sustainability

Packer Managing Editor Fred Wilkinson here.

If you're like me, the last thing you want to hear after these many months of electioneering is another politician's views.

However, Al Gore -- former vice president and near-miss for the presidency itself in 2000 -- weighs in on sustainability here.

Gore paints pretty broad strokes in the piece and mentions nothing particular to sustainability in agriculture.

But with an incoming Democratic president and the party also solidifying its positions in the House and Senate, its likely viewpoints like those Gore expresses will get a hearing that was unthinkable during the Bush years.

Truck Rate Report - Nov. 4

Truck rates are mostly stable to slightly lower this week. From the USDA's Truck Rate Report on Nov. 4:

A slight shortage of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions:onions from Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon. A slight surplus of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions: pears from Sacramento & San Joaquin Valley California, citrus, bell peppers and strawberries from South District California, potatoes from San Luis Valley Colorado, mixed vegetables from Central & South Florida, tomatoes from Central Florida, and tomatoes from West District Florida. A surplus of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions: mixed vegetables from South Georgia, sweet potatoes from Louisiana and Mississippi, citrus, avocados and mixed fruits and vegetables from Mexico Crossings Through Texas. Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon noted a truck slight truck shortage for refers, adequate for flatbeds. FIRST REPORT was issued for mixed vegetables from Central & South Florida, tomatoes from Central Florida, nd tomatoes from West District Florida. LAST REPORT was issued for pears from acramento & San Joaquin Valley California, and cabbage from Northeast Colorado. All other districts reported an adequate supply of trucks.

Dietary Guidelines - 2010

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is beginning the process of review and revision of food guidance for 2010, and the USDA Web link to see some of the comments about what should be done about the American diet is found here. I can see the dairy folks have already filled up the docket with comments about the benefits of dairy in the diet. Here is a comment from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine which encourages the committee to consider the benefits of a plant-based diet:

In light of recent publications highlighting the benefits of low-fat vegetarian and vegan diets, I think that a critically important question in need of an Evidence-based Review by this esteemed committee is, “What role can low-fat vegetarian and vegan diets play in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, particularly obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer”?

Here is the USDA Web site for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Stay tuned for more on this issue from ongoing coverage in The Packer.

FMI Statement - Obama win

From the FMI this morning:

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) issued the following statement from Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO:“Food Marketing Institute congratulates president-elect Barack Obama and vice president-elect Joe Biden on their historic victory. America’s record participation in this election signals our need to welcome new opportunities and forums for addressing and resolving issues. We look forward to working closely with the White House, the new Administration and Congress on issues of importance to the American people such as ensuring this nation continues to provide the safest food supply in the world, making prescription drugs more affordable and accessible, and reducing run away credit card fees.”

TK: "Reducing run away credit card fees"? - Please, this issue doesn't quite resonate the day after an election....

Farm Bureau reaction to Obama win

Calling the election "decisive and historic" the American Farm Bureau Federation released a statement by President Bob Stallman. It was this:

“Farmers and ranchers, like all Americans, have a list of issues that they expect the administration and Congress will address. The issues include the economy, energy, immigration, trade, implementation of the farm bill and many others. We know there are many points of views on these issues, but we also know that our elected leaders have one thing in common: each person elected to office ran for office to improve this country and will work on these issues to make America better and to improve our country for all Americans.

“We look forward to working with the new administration and Congress to create those opportunities that will improve agriculture and rural America.”

Obama Victory Speech

McCain concession speech - Nov. 4