Recession: a weighty issue

Packer Managing Editor Fred Wilkinson here.

As if people didn't have enough to worry about considering the uncertain state of the economy, a news report suggests Americans may become fatter as their assets are slimming down:

"The specter of 'recession pounds' is a concern weighing on health professionals, who point to numerous studies linking obesity and unhealthy eating habits to low incomes. They fear that as people cut food spending they will cut back on healthy but relatively expensive items such as fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and whole grains, in favor of cheaper options high in sugar and saturated fats."

The Reuters article continues on to state that McDonald's dollar menu items (although my favorite, the double cheeseburger now runs $1.20) has kept the burger firm recession resistant so far, but that upscale purveyor of more healthful prepared entrees Whole Foods has felt the effect of customers trading down.

While on a pure calories-per-dollar basis most fresh fruits and vegetables can't compete with bags of private-label cookies or some other nutrient-deprived foods, some produce (bananas and potatoes, for example) are tasty, satisfying consumer favorites that are filling and filled with vitamins and other nutrients. No wonder they are top sellers in the produce aisle regardless of economic conditions.

The report sums things up saying its "possible to eat in an affordable and healthy way, partly by relying on the basic foods which saw America through the Depression of the 1930s. The answer lies in affordable but nutrient-rich foods such as ground beef, beans, milk, nuts, cheese, carrots, potatoes, canned tomatoes, soups, and rice." It refers to these foods as "a diet for a new Depression."

FDA on the close of GAPs comment period

I asked Sebastian Cianci of FDA about the Dec. 31 close of the comment period on revisions to fruit and vegetable GAPs guidelines. Here is his response:

On Sept. 2, 2008, FDA posted a request for comments on the Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. This document is available through www.regulations.gov (http://tinyurl.com/7nte52). Under Good Guidance Practices, comments on guidance may be submitted at any time. However, FDA requested comments by December 31, 2008 to ensure receipt in time for consideration. FDA received 22 unique comments from 21 organizations and individuals. All comments are currently under review, as possible improvements to the Guide are considered.

CAC gets unwanted limelight

The Packer is developing coverage on a story that broke last evening. Here is coverage from The San Diego Union Tribune.

The story refers to a CDFA audit showing $1.5 million spent by senior CAC staff and some directors on clothes, ballgames, home improvements and other expenses between July 2005 and May 2008.

Here is the link to the CDFA statement on the audit. I have a call into CDFA to ask for the full 91-page report.

This may be a case where "gray areas" expanded because of the lack of bright line financial guidelines. Or, of course, it could be much worse than that. Here is the link to the CDFA audit, posted to the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group.


If you read the follow on comments to the SD Trib story, you'll find various reactions, which I will generalize and summarize below:
* It isn't that bad; growers shouldn't be surprised that the commission wined and dined buyers; you can't sell avocados with black and white paper copies
* disband the commission