French fries: the no. 1 vegetable for kids

Don't act surprised. French fries are the number one vegetable for kids, says this story from Philadelphia.com. We can lament the fact it is not broccoli, but are we surprised? From the story:

But according to a recent study, children are getting the majority of their daily vegetable intake from french fries. They're also getting most of their fruit intake from fruit juices. Fried potatoes make up 25 percent of kids' vegetable consumption, while juice makes up about 40 percent of their fruit intake, USA today reports. While kids are eating abundant amounts of french fries, they are eating far fewer deep-green and orange veggies, which carry more nutrients.The study by Ohio State University researchers also found that children in higher-income families eat more fruits and vegetables than those in lower-income families, possibly because fresh produce can be expensive. On average, children consume two cups of fruits, vegetables and juice a day. Government nutritional guidelines recommend 2 to 6.5 cups, based on a daily calorie range of 1,000 to 3,200.

This story addresses a familiar theme in recent weeks. Eating well on a downsized food budget, published by the New York Times.

One myth to dispel is that fruits and vegetables must be fresh to be nutritious. Not only do canned and frozen versions usually cost less and require less preparation, but nutrient value is as good or better and less food is wasted. Fresh produce is often harvested before it is fully ripe and so comes to the consumer with fewer than optimal nutrients. But fruits and vegetables that are canned or frozen are picked at the peak of ripeness. There is more vitamin C in a glass of orange juice made from frozen concentrate than in freshly squeezed juice.

Off to Immokalee Grist
Immokalee is one of the hotspots of of a globalized, industrial food system. The plight of its workers -- many of them refugees from small farms in Mexico and Central America that have collapsed under the weight of that same system -- represents just another externalized cost of stocking supermarkets, fast-food outlets, and school cafeterias with "cheap" food.

OTA: Organic growth slows in 2008 Coverage from The Packer

Coupon blogs gaining popularity The Examiner
Websites like Money Saving Mom, the Frugal Mom, and Coupon Cravings have experienced an increase of web traffic up to 250% during the past four weeks alone! The sites all have one thing in common: they can lead you to the best deals. In many cases, you can sign up for a newsletter that send you the info you need straight to your inbox.

EU confident Obama will follow its lead on climate change AFP

The 27 EU nations in December committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 but have also agreed to increase the cut if the rest of the developed world gets on board with the plan."We know that the US wants to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, we don't know what their mid-term target is," Czech Environment Minister Martin Bursik told reporters after a meeting with his EU counterparts

Meat eaters trade down from steak to chicken Bloomberg

Meat-eaters are "trading down" from beef and pork in favor of chicken as consumers pare their food costs, according to the chairman of grocery chain Safeway Inc. and analysts at Deutsche Bank AG.The switch will squeeze beef and pork producers, while chicken sellers may gain from the quest for "cheaper protein," Deutsche Bank said in its "Monthly Mouthful" report. Still, poultry prices face pressure as rising protectionism and global recession make global trade more competitive, the report said.

Subsidy debate weighs farmers versus children: Vilsack: Reuters

U.S. lawmakers will need to choose between supporting rich farmers or feeding more hungry children amid a slumping economy and a surging deficit, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Monday.Vilsack said he already has heard concerns about the Obama administration's plan to redirect subsidy payments for large farmers into nutrition programs as a way to help end hunger by 2015 and stem the rising tide of childhood obesity."We will do our best to frame this discussion in that way, so that people understand: 30 million children, 90,000 farmers," Vilsack told Reuters after speaking to people who work with the nation's food banks and anti-poverty groups.


Indy Fruit shows gives retailers some insights Coverage from The Packer

Testing may help food verified organic NYT
Now a researcher in Germany has demonstrated the feasibility of laboratory testing to determine whether a carton of organic milk is what it says it is.As described by Joachim Molkentin of the Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the testing relies on the fact that in Germany at least, organic milk has higher levels of the fatty acid alpha-Linolenic acid and different carbon-isotope ratios than regular milk.

Chiquita seeks dismall of lawsuit Latino
Chiquita International Brands is currently seeking dismissal of a nearly $8 billion lawsuit filed on behalf of about 400 Colombian families. In 2007, Chiquita admitted to giving money to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia or AUC. The AUC was deemed a terrorist organization by the United States in 2002, making it a crime to give them money. The corporation asked a judge to dismiss lawsuits claiming the banana company has a responsibility to the families of the victims of violent acts committed by the AUC.

Redpack adds tomato packer Packagingnews.com

Working night shift is hard on the heart Forbes

Working the night shift might lead to hormonal and metabolic changes that raise risks for obesity, diabetes and heart disease, researchers say.


EU environment ministers uphold ban on biotech crops International Herald Tribune

European Union governments delivered a blow Monday to the biotechnology industry, allowing Austria and Hungary to maintain national bans on growing genetically modified crops from Monsanto. The vote, taken by European environment ministers, could irritate the U.S. government, which has in the past complained to the World Trade Organization about obstacles to planting bioengineered crops.

Dole announces debt offering PRinside

Dole Food Company, Inc. ("Dole") announced today that it intends to commence a private offering to eligible purchasers, subject to market and other conditions, of $325 million principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due 2014 (the "Notes"). Dole intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to purchase its outstanding senior notes due May 1, 2009 and pay related fees, premiums and expenses.

Mexico's retail report USDA FAS

Unfortunately, the retail sector has already realized its first casualty due to the economic downturn. As a result of the declining peso, Comercial Mexicana (Contoladora Comercial Mexicana (CCM)), which is the third largest retailer and a Joint Venture partner with Costco, has asked a court for bankruptcy protection against creditors three times since November2008. It was reported that in December 2008, Comercial Mexicana signed agreements with
some of its creditors which would protect the retailer from any new lawsuits until March 2,2009. All of the retailer's outlets are still operating but inventory has been an issue with theexception of the COSTCO stores, where vendors were assured payment from the U.S. based company. In the future Wal-Mart de Mexico and Soriana could benefit from the possible collapse of Comercial Mexicana if President Calderon's second package of measures to boost growth and generate employment is successful.

Abandoned citrus groves breed disease St. Petersburg Times
Hillsborough County is home to about 4,000 acres of abandoned groves, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics released last fall. Pasco isn't far behind with about 2,400 acres.


Rio Queen citrus set to reopen Coverage from The Packer