NRA - Trends for 2009 - Locally grown is volcanic hot

An excerpt from the news release from the National Restaurant Association about its 2009 Menu Trends chef survey:

Several among the top 20 trendy items are related to the emerging trend of philosophy-driven food choices, including local sourcing, organics, artisanal items, sustainable seafood and free-range pork/poultry. Locally grown produce – rated the number-one trend on restaurant menus in 2009 – has grown tremendously in popularity for a variety of reasons. The idea of farm-fresh fruit and vegetables and minimal transportation are appealing to many, and sourcing locally is also tied to supporting local communities and businesses.

On the Lacey Act - Mountains of useless information

From rulemaking on the Lacey Act from APHIS. A comment from the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America. By the way, check out the regulations.gov blog (links at the end of the page) for more detailed coverage of the rulemaking machinery.




The Lacey Act Amendments place undue burden on importers-and at the same time provide no value to any agency-in their requirement for large scale speculation as to genus, species and origin ofplants when the exact information is not known. The declaration requirement is overly broad and will result in mountains of useless information being submitted with absolutely no regulatory or enforcement value. Accordingly, the definition ofthe terms "common cultivar" and "products thereof' should be defined broadly to reduce the scope of the plants subject to the declaration requirement.
We are concerned that the importers will be unable to meaningfully comply with the requirement that they identify the type of genus, species and origin of plant utilized in their imported product. The requirement to provide this information should be clarified to indicate that the importer is only required to make this declaration utilizing the best information • TRUST
SERVICE
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INTERNET: www.ncbfaa.org E-MAIL: staff@ncbfaa.org
available. Moreover, the Federal Agencies charged with implementing the Lacey Act
Amendments should make available a comprehensive list of common plant species with their scientific names to assist importers in reporting the required information.
There should be a provision for Innocent Owner Liability or, more properly, the lack thereof. An innocent owner, one who has no knowledge of any illegal logging that may have been involved in the construction of his product, should not be the object ofprosecution. Agencies should provide guidance for importers regarding steps that may be taken to reach the standard of "due care," such as a declaration based on the manufacturer's information and familiarity with similar products.
Finally, we believe that it is important that the import declaration not be an admissibility requirement for Customs release. Rather, it should be part of the post-entry process so it will not adversely affect the flow of legitimate trade. At the time of entry, importers should only be required to declare that their products are in compliance with the provisions ofthe Lacey Act. A more reasonable approach to implementing these regulations would be to require an affirmative declaration at the time of entry and to require the importer to maintain records relating to the genus and species which could be made available to APHIS upon request on a post entry basis.

Illinois corruption

Not produce related but here is the link to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich affidavit, revealing mind boggling corruption.


Here is a sampling:

BLAGOJEVIC (and his cohort) have corruptly solicited and demanded the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of ROD BLAGOJEVICH, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with State of Illinois financial assistance in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field.

Also...


The governor wanted to be appointed Secretary of Health & Human Services in the President-elect's administration in exchange for appointing a senator. Incredible..from the affadavit:



By law, after the President-elect’s resignation of his position as a U.S. Senator, which was effective on November 16, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has sole authority to appoint his replacement for the two years remaining of the President-elect’s Senate term. See 10 ILCS 5/25-8. During the course of this investigation, agents have intercepted a series of communications regarding the efforts of ROD BLAGOJEVICH, JOHN HARRIS, and others
to misuse this power to obtain personal gain, including financial gain, for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his family. In particular, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has been intercepted conspiring to trade the senate seat for particular positions that the President-elect has the power to appoint (e.g. the Secretary of Health and Human Services). ROD BLAGOJEVICH has also been intercepted conspiring to sell the Senate seat in exchange for his wife’s placement on paid corporate boards or ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s placement at a private foundation in a significant position with a substantial salary. ROD BLAGOJEVICH has also been intercepted conspiring to sell the Senate seat in exchange for millions of dollars in
funding for a non-profit organization that he would start and that would employ him at a substantial salary after he left the governorship.

The fallacy of food miles and the 100 mile diet

Received a note from Wayne Brandt yesterday and he referenced an article from Marketplace magazine about food miles and the 100 mile diet. Wayne wrote that the column really "hit the nail on the head." While I don't have a hyperlink to the column, I'll note a couple of excerpts:

The idea behind the 100 mile diet is for consumers to limit their food purchases to 100 miles. It does not speak to producers limiting their market to that same distance. A pure 100 mile diet plan should limit purchases from purchases from farmers who certify that they will only sell within that distance. Most agricultural producers, even in Canada, would be hard pressed to make a decent living if their market was limited to 100 miles.

It sounds good, in theory at least, to limit purchases to a 100 mile radius. Unfortunately, it would drive a lot of peasant farmers deeper into poverty.


TK: The idea of the 100 mile diet was probably devised in some California coastal community. For those of us in wind swept and frigid Kansas, it does no good despite the laudable intentions. Thanks to Wayne for passing along this opinion piece that does, indeed, dispel the do-good notion of the 100 mile diet.

Frozen rising : part 2

In a previous post in Fresh Talk titled Frozen Rising, I noted predictions for rising frozen fruit and vegetable consumption but still opined that fresh is still number one compared with frozen. Okay, I said frozen was "second rate." That post has brought a thoughtful response that will run on the opinion page of The Packer this week...developing....

Red Book Credit Services data on Fresh Talk

Our Vance sister company, Red Book Credit Services has just starting providing me with weekly industry data on average days to pay and other credit scores. I look forward to highlighting the data and looking for trends over time. Check out the chart on the side of the blog for some initial data on average days to pay.

Dec. 9 - Top headlines

Snatched from the Web this morning...another morning edition Fresh Talk headlines...

EU scientists lobby against pesticide law Scientists say a diversity of active ingredients needed to sustain productivity as Europe more to hazards rather than risk based approach.

The five least healthful value menu items According to the Cancer Project If you are interested....The Jack in the Box value burger, the MacDouble, the cheesy burrito from Taco Bell, the BK breakfast sausage biscuit and Wendy's bacon cheeseburger. More fruit/vegetable items on the dollar menu, please.

NYC eatery charges surcharge for food you waste From Drudge, a story about Japanese restaurant that tacks on 3% surcharge if "your eyes are bigger than your stomach." Story says 27% of food is wasted.

E-Verify drop in ruffles feathers NPR is in the news become some groups don't want NPR to run a credit to DHS and E-Verify when they list groups that underwrite their efforts. This is a classic case of giving DHS more publicity by protesting a 10-second mention.

California's obesity rate doubles United Health Foundation study shows the state's obesity rate jumped to 23.2% in 2008, compared with 9.8% n 1990. For the U.S., the obesity rate is now 26.3%. Cali ranks 24 in overall health, survey says, while Vermont was numero uno and Louisiana was last. Find America's Health Rankings here.

Inflation fighting in Mexico to take back seat to stimulating economy A weak peso since October and persistent inflation have limited options, but Mexico's central bank expected to cut rates in 2009.

Roubini believes Fed will have to "go crazy" You can't go lower than zero, but then what. Stimulus programs that may increase interest rates on public debt, weaken the dollar and increase the concerns of foreign investors.

Japan's recession deepens Export driven economy, second biggest in the world, will struggle at least until the first quarter of next year.

Amber waves swaying again in the Northeast Grain crops sprout again in the Northeast. Local food movement in the Northeast. Chicago Tribune reports.

Mortgage delinquencies rise for seventh straight quarter Florida and Nevada lead with 7% plus 60 days late, overall U.S. average is 3.96%.