A Different Kind Of Food Group

I’ve noticed recently that when we get tired of talking about the antics of the outside world, more often than not discussion of food follows. In its own way this common denominator can be just as passionate as politics or religion, but totally free of the peripheral fallout. And I like that.

Frankly, I’ve never been able to understand those folks that regard eating as a necessary ritual and food solely as fuel. They never admit it, you know. But in conversation I hear the catatonic, Thorazine-laden tone of their responses after I ask an innocent question like what they had for lunch. At that point I decide they’re missing out on life and attempt to find another dreary topic. That may have lost me some friends along the way but jimmy crack corn, and I don’t care.

And because food discussion for the most part is inoffensive, it has become the darling du jour of the contemporary media. Bobby Flay and Anthony Bourdain are discussed in the same breath as Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were in the seventies. Even the politicians get into the act. Here’s a clip from 2001 showing a younger, slimmer State Senator Barack Obama waxing poetic about a favorite Chicago restaurant on a pilot episode of WTTW’s “Check, Please!”, one of the early TV pioneers of ‘foodie’ discourse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oyTD6JGie0

Truth be told, it’s reported that the station had to scrap this show because of the unintentional domination by Obama of most of the show’s dialogue, and it lay dormant in the station’s archives for eight years. But, to take advantage of Inauguration ’09, WTTW is finally airing the episode this Friday night for Chicagoans, so that our President-Elect can extol the virtues of johnnycakes.

But I’m not immune from this either. I regularly contribute to an engaging food forum where scoring great tips on obscure restaurants is commonplace, but the conversation is sometimes reminiscent of this delightfully inane dialogue from the 1991 movie ‘City Slickers’:

'Barry can pick out the exact right flavor of ice cream to follow any meal. Go ahead. Challenge him.'

‘OK…Macaroni & Cheese.’

‘Scoop of Chocolate, Scoop of Vanilla. Don't waste my time. Come on, challenge me.!’

‘OK…Sea Bass!’

‘Grilled…or Baked?’

‘Sauteed…’

‘With Asparagus…and Potatoes au Gratin!

(pregnant pause)

……………………Butter Pecan!!

‘Woooooof!!’


Later,

Jay

What is local produce and headlines for Jan. 13

Above: Julie Fox of Ohio State University

One of the points made during one a session by Julie Fox of Ohio State at the OPGMA Congress related to the definition of local produce. The point Julie made was this: it doesn't matter what growers think what local food/local produce is, what matters is what their customers believe it to be and being in a position to deliver what the customer wants. That's a great point, and a pragmatic one, about meeting the needs of the marketplace. Leave the nuances to be defined by pundits and celebrity authors (my words).

When I mentioned during my talk that deflationary expectations seemed to have taken hold of the general economy, one grower wondered if consumers also will expect the deep discounts for produce they have seen at electronic stores and other retailers.

I think consumers are smarter than that, but still, there is no precise predicting how consumers will cut back in the lean months to come.

Aldi looks to U.S. for growth WSJ- Can't miss coverage

For expansion in the U.S. and Britain, where it is also building new stores, Aldi tweaked its retail formula. New stores have higher ceilings and more windows to make the 17,000-square-feet outlets feel less cramped. It is adding more fresh produce, designed to lure middle-class shopper.

U.S. economy to shrink 1.9% downsized economy in 2009

China's exports drop sharply Exports dropped 2.8% in December - compared with a 21.7% a year earlier.

Safeway, union, differ on cutbacks

Aldi UK sales soar by 25%

USDA calls citrus crop to drop

Big crop, weak demand bring down crop prices U.S. commodity markets dip

Japan implements voluntary carbon footprint labeling scheme USDA FAS report
The proposal calls for a label that bears a numerical rating based on an estimate of CO2 emissions created during the life of a product from procurement of raw materials through production, distribution, use, and eventual disposal.

Kroger to open Fresh Fare in Ohio
The remodeled store will feature a larger perishables section, more chef-prepared meals, a wine cellar and wine tasting area and a coffee shop.

Ohio outbound

I enjoyed speaking at the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association Congress yesterday.My topic focused on trends for 2009, including the impact of recession on the fresh produce industry, local marketing and what's going on with organic demand. For me, particularly, it was a chance to talk to a few growers and get an insight into their world. Of course, direct to consumer marketing and local food was a big topic at the show.

There was some discussion about the challenges small farms face as they are expected to conform to the food safety and traceability requirements put on much larger firms.

I talked to a couple of growers about the labor market, and they mentioned the long standing relationships they have with immigrant workers who came back to their farms every year.One noted there appears to be more inquiries from immigrants looking for work.

Right now I'm in Cleveland wondering if my outbound Southwest flight, routed through Chicago, will get off on time.