State of the Union: We are not quitters

I didn't see President Obama's address to Congress tonight, and I'm sorry I missed it. Here is the White House link to the text of his remarks. Some excerpts that draw on the optimism of the American spirit:

But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this:

We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.

The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation. The answers to our problems don’t lie beyond our reach. They exist in our laboratories and universities; in our fields and our factories; in the imaginations of our entrepreneurs and the pride of the hardest-working people on Earth. Those qualities that have made America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history we still possess in ample measure. What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more.

TK: Obama jumps in and out of other topics during his speech - the recession, debt-burdened governments and individuals, the looming need for sacrifice, ("that day of reckoning") the stimulus package, banking and housing issues. He ends with a heart-warming story:

And I think about Ty’Sheoma Bethea, the young girl from that school I visited in Dillon, South Carolina – a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom. She has been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this room. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, and says, "We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world. We are not quitters."

We are not quitters.

These words and these stories tell us something about the spirit of the people who sent us here. They tell us that even in the most trying times, amid the most difficult circumstances, there is a generosity, a resilience, a decency, and a determination that perseveres; a willingness to take responsibility for our future and for posterity.

Their resolve must be our inspiration. Their concerns must be our cause. And we must show them and all our people that we are equal to the task before us.

TK: If President Obama can do this one thing - bring this country out of a deepening recession - that will surely be toil enough and cement a lasting legacy. Let him do that one thing and all Americans will be satisfied and give him more political capital to embark on further change in his second term. Will Obama's well crafted words be rewarded with confidence? Yes, if he means what he says by putting forward a budget that bends to reality by acknowledging the need to reign in massive federal budget deficits. Being an optimist hasn't been too rewarding of late. As George Will said, "The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised."

As Wall Street points to another lower open Wednesday, hope is audacious indeed for recession battered Americans.

Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Comittee - notes

I visited with Lee Mannering of PMA today about the goings-on at the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee meeting today in Arlington, Va.. Lee was at the meeting today and I called him halfway through the proceedings. Though we have a correspondent there, today's event was one of only two FVIAC meetings I have missed so far. Some highlights:
* PACA fee increases discussed (brace yourself - the licensing fee/branch fee hikes are expected to be pretty big) , as well as possible fix to PACA language to account for trust protection related to credit terms
* Sliced apple pilot program discussed - lessons learned, what's ahead
* Update on rulemaking relating to Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
* National Organic Program overview
* Agricultural labor
* What is future of committee - early indications that the new Administration is inclined to continue committee

Developing....

A note from Feeding America

From the inbox today, a note from Feeding America:


Feeding America Produce Program partners,

As many of you are already aware, Rick Bella has accepted a job opportunity with another non-profit organization effective in March. While Feeding America goes through the process of hiring a replacement, please know that the fresh produce program will continue with my oversight.

Feeding America has already started an industry search for someone to manage operations and grow the produce program. In the interim, please continue to work closely with Emily Maris to ensure that service levels and product availability continue to serve the needs of the food bank network and ultimately our nation’s hungry. You should continue sending weekly price and availability information to Emily.

Below is a listing of the key contacts at Feeding America that will be managing the operation of the program during this transition. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our plans for this program, do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thanks again for everything that you have done to assist Feeding America and our network of food banks.

Sincerely,
Nick Blawat

Nick Blawat, VP of Supply Chain, 312-641-5401 – nblawat@feedingamerica.org
Emily Maris, Senior Logistics Coordinator, 312-641-6550 – emaris@feedingamerica.org
Peg Sarinyamas, Transportation Manger, 312-641-6516 – psarinyamas@feedingamerica.org

Chat - Kevin Moffitt

The Packer’s National Editor Tom Karst on Feb. 19 had a chat with Kevin Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of the Pear Bureau Northwest, Milwaukie, Ore.

1:02 PM Tom Karst: Kevin, thanks for taking time for another Fresh Talk chat. I'd like to start the q and a with a question about where you grew up - have you always called the Northwest home?

1:04 PM Kevin Moffitt: Yes, I am a Portland native and both of my grandmothers were born in the PNW. However, I have also lived in Philadelphia, New Jersey the San Francisco Bay area and Seattle throughout my produce career.

1:05 PM Tom Karst: Interesting…did you have an idea early on what you wanted to do? Where did you go to college and get your first break in the produce industry?

1:10 PM Kevin Moffitt: I graduated from the business school at University of Oregon with a BS in business management. I never considered the produce industry as a career path until a college friend of mine began working at Dole in San Francisco as a banana ripening technician. It sounded interesting with a lot of travel and he helped me line up an interview. I was hired in January of 1981 as a technical services rep based in Dole's HQ in San Francisco. Mike Cavallero was my first boss and mentor. So here I am 20 some years later still in the business but working back in my home town.

1:12 PM Tom Karst: Isn't it a wonder how beginnings happen... what were some things you learned from Mike and how would you describe yourself as a manager of people?

1:21 PM Kevin Moffitt: Mike instilled in me the importance of follow up, honesty and hard work. All important traits, good to learn early in the career as they help guide you through life and career. As for a manager of people, in my current job at the Pear Bureau, I am certainly utilizing my degree. However managing people is the most challenging aspect of my job. I consider myself a big picture manager giving people the vision, mission and tools for them to do their assigned tasks. However there is a lot of detail involved as well to keep things running smoothly. I have learned the importance of face time with employees.

1:23 PM Tom Karst: I know you have traveled a bunch with your job and relating to international marketing duties; is it fun to see grower/marketers travel to export markets and buyers in other countries come to the U.S.? What do like about the road and what 's tough about those long trips?

1:32 PM Kevin Moffitt: Yes, I have had travel related positions throughout my career. I still enjoy seeing new countries and cultures (India was my newest). We have the privilege of working with 16 different overseas offices which smoothes the way when traveling, leads to solid contacts and helps in developing a real understanding of the culture. It is always interesting to introduce both our grower/shippers to new markets as well as hosting buyers from another country. One sees things through new and different eyes. The toughest part of the road these days is often the journey getting to where you are going. Flights and airports are not so fun these days and sitting in a plane for 8 to 12 hours is tough. But it always makes me appreciate the US, the PNW and my own home.

1:34 PM Tom Karst: So true - the trip back home is always the best. I've kept you quite a while, and thanks for your time. One more question for you..What are the top two or three things pear growers/markers are concerned about and what makes you optimistic for their future?

1:43 PM Kevin Moffitt: Like most farmers today, labor and rising input costs are two major areas of concern. Another big one is the increase in the numerous regulations and measurement schemes. We would certainly hope that or two would emerge as adequate to mollify all retailers and importing countries. As for optimism, pear consumption is and grower returns have been staying ahead of costs. The world economy is a worry but pears are popular and a growing category so there is room for optimism. Our initiatives in getting riper and better tasting fruit into the hands of the consumer will help keep customers loyal and coming back during these tough times. I am certainly optimistic about the long term future for the pear industry.

1:44 PM Tom Karst: Excellent. Kevin. Thanks again for you time.

1:45 PM Kevin Moffitt: Thank you Tom.

Back from Nashville - headline roundup

Back from a three day weekend birthday visit to our son Brian in Nashville and a Monday morning stop at The Pancake Pantry, now slaving over an overstuffed inbox of google news alerts gone wild. I'll try to wade through some news of interest to me and you.....

Feeding America's Bella plans to depart Coverage from The Packer
TK: We'll catch up with Rick soon for a Fresh Talk chat

Turn back the clock: stock market hits 1997 level AP
The Treasury and other agencies issued a statement after The Wall Street Journal reported Citigroup is in talks for the government to boost its stake in the bank to as much as 40 percent. Analysts said the market, which initially rose on the statement, wanted more details of the government's plans.

Merrigan tapped for #2 USDA post Reuters
Kathleen Merrigan, a professor who helped develop U.S. organic food labeling rules, has been chosen for the Agriculture Department's No. 2 job by President Barack Obama, the White House said on Monday.

Thorton is USDA's choice The News Enterprise

Recession creates farm worker glut The Modesto Bee
What a difference a bad economy makes. The collapse of the construction industry and a slump in the restaurant and food service sector have sent thousands of people back to looking for work on California farms, which not so long ago were hurting for workers.

Restaurants wrestle with fewer ringups Coverage from The Packer

EU makes fresh proposal to end banana dispute EU Business
The European Union has made a fresh proposal to Latin American banana producers in a bid to end a decade-old dispute over the bloc's banana import policies, sources close to the WTO said Monday.In the fresh proposal, the EU has proposed lowering its taxes on banana imports from Latin American countries to 114 euros per tonne by 2019, instead of 2016, prompting swift criticism from the producer nations.

Recession makes for coupon comeback for consumers Newsday

Melon industry takes aggressive safety approach Coverage from The Packer


Canada, U.S. skirt edges edges of deflation Report on business.com

In the United States, total year-over-year inflation was zero, the most lacklustre reading on consumer prices since August, 1955. But prices actually climbed in January, up 0.3 per cent from December, mainly because of higher energy costs."It really comes down to the policy makers now" to prevent a "pernicious" deflationary spiral later this year, said Paul Ashworth, senior economist at London-based Capital Economics.

Fruit and vegetables anti-inflammatory effect reduces disease London Free Press

When you eat five to 10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables, the molecules present in these foods block the production of an enzyme (called COX-2) that plays a key role in the development of inflammation.This effect is extremely important since several studies have shown many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, are directly linked to chronic inflammation.

5 healthy snack secrets from a nutritionist 15.com
In her two books "How to Teach Nutrition to Kids" and "Nutrition Fun with Broc Roll," Evers has committed to creating a new nutrition culture for kids."Snacking is not a bad thing -- in fact, it's a good thing -- and it can actually help keep kids from overeating at mealtime," says Evers. "Unfortunately lunchboxes and snack bowls are too often overloaded with fat, sugar and salt and are missing fruit, vegetables and whole grains."

USDA Farm labor USDA
Numbers up 2%, wages average $10.93 per hour, up 12 cents from a year ago.

Japanese company unveils wrapping machine Coverage from The Packer

Gunny bags for f/v to be banned in Sri Lanka
The government will ban the use of gunny bags for the packing of fruits and vegetables for transportation to the market from May 1, 2009 and recommends plastic trays instead, to reduce the wastage; Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday.

All steriled up; produce safety guidelines throw sustainability out, keep toxic bathwater From The Ethicurean blog
A common criticism of this type of system (besides the fact that it’s absurdly expensive) is that it doesn’t actually fix the contamination problem. It merely ensures that if hundreds of people get horribly ill, we can figure out more quickly where the offending product came from. The produce industry likes this approach, because it would help avoid disasters like the Great Tomato Mistake last summer, when the CDC and FDA wrongly publicized tomatoes as the cause of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. (It ended up being traced to jalapeno and serrano chilies, but only after consumers had stopped buying tomatoes. The tomato sector has still not recovered.)

Lettuce cartenoids affected by UV light in greenhouse by USDA ARS

No lunch left behind NYT opinion
Every public school child in America deserves a healthful and delicious lunch that is prepared with fresh ingredients. Cash-strapped parents should be able to rely on the government to contribute to their children’s physical well-being, not to the continued spread of youth obesity, Type 2 diabetes and other diet-related problems. Let’s prove that there is such a thing as a good, free lunch.

Fruits and veggies may reduce diabetes Personal Liberty Digest

Outflow of migrants from Mexico slows AP
The net outflow of Mexicans — both legal and illegal — declined by over 50 percent in the 12 months ending in August 2008, compared the same period a year earlier, said the Eduardo Sojo, president of the board of Mexico's National Statistics, Geography and Information Institute.

Federal investment in Canada's maritime apple regions Marketwire

Drug violence creeping from Mexico to Arizona NYT
The raging drug war among cartels in Mexico and their push to expand operations in the United States has led to a wave of kidnappings, shootings and home invasions in Arizona, state and federal officials said at a legislative hearing on Monday.


Vilsack wants stricter COOL rules Agweek

Canada may continue COOL complaint Food Product Design


Save your vision with fresh organic foods The Examiner

USDA toughens oversight of organic fertilizer The Sacramento Bee

Farm groups urge Vilsack to keep farm safety nets Brownfield

Shanghai retail organic market USDA FAS

Truck lanes pick up speed St. Louis Today

Chemigation debated in ND AP

Dems cool on climate change as economic pressures grow Investors.com