Online programs improve fruit and vegetable consumption

Online programs improve fruit and vegetable consumption


DETROIT – Online programs that provide information and tips about fruits and vegetables may be the key to getting more Americans to eat healthier, say researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.

Researchers found that when given access to an online program about fruits and vegetables, participants increased their daily fruit and vegetable intake by more than two servings. Many of the participants continued using the program after the study concluded, and even reported their family members became involved in the program.

"People already know the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, but they often don't know how to incorporate them into their diet," says study senior author Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., chair of Henry Ford's Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology. "That's why our study worked. Using online programs, we were able to offer study participants practical and easy tips to increase their daily fruit and vegetable intake."

Results are published in this month's issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 25 percent of adults in the United States eat five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Those who eat more fruits and vegetables are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and certain cancers.

The 12-month-long Henry Ford study recruited members of Health Alliance Plan and four other HMOs in Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis and Atlanta, ages 21 to 65. Study participants were placed in one of these three groups:

* A control online program that provided general information for the participants about improving their fruit and vegetable intake.

* A program that was similar but personalized to the individual's needs

* A program that incorporated the other two components and was also supplemented with motivational interviewing counseling via e-mail.

The program was divided into four sessions. Each session included four to five pages of core content, illustrations and optional links to more detailed information and special features designed to supplement session content. For example, special features illustrated serving sizes and nutritional similarities of fresh versus frozen versus canned foods. Another optional feature presented 300 fruit and vegetable-based recipes. Short video and audio files were offered to reinforce text on behavioral strategies. Once available, all program components were accessible throughout the 12-month study period.

An optional feature offered menus individually tailored by nutrition experts and were generated on the basis of participants' fruit and vegetable preferences and dietary restrictions.

At the end of the study, researchers found that there was improvement across all study groups, but the most significant changes were with the group that had motivational interviewing and counseling.

"We found that giving participants gentle reminders that refocused them on their goals greatly improved progress," says study co-author, Gwen Alexander, PhD, assistant research scientist. "They were being held accountable for their progress, which became a key motivator."

Up next: Drs. Johnson and Alexander are now working on creating a similar study focused on people ages 21 to 30, to find new strategies to help them incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diet, while catering to their lifestyle.

Phoenix gives OK to 2% tax on food -AZ Central

Phoenix gives OK to 2% tax on food -AZ Central
Move will help fix budget, save Police, Fire dept. jobs

Desperate to save police, fire and other city jobs, a divided Phoenix City Council on Tuesday approved a sales tax on grocery items that will generate tens of millions of dollars a year.

The 2 percent food tax will take effect April 1 and expire after five years, though Mayor Phil Gordon said the council has the option of reversing its decision after it hears from the public during 15 budget hearings planned for this month.

The tax on milk, meat, vegetables and other food purchased by shoppers will generate an estimated $12.5 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30. It will raise another $50 million for fiscal 2011. Food purchased with food stamps will not be taxed.

The extra tax revenue means Phoenix will have more money in its coffers to help close a $241 million general-fund budget deficit through June 2011. Last week, budget officials proposed cutting $140 million in services. Other special funds for things like transit also could get money.

City Manager David Cavazos proposed eliminating 1,379 citywide positions, including nearly 500 police officers and firefighters. Among the dozens of targeted cuts, libraries and senior centers would be closed, an after-school program would be dismantled, and bus and light-rail service would be significantly reduced.

It's unclear exactly where the extra money would be allocated. On Feb. 9, Cavazos and other staff will offer options of how they can reverse proposed cuts using food-tax revenue.

Phoenix shoppers who buy paper towels, toothpaste and other non-food items at a grocery store already pay an 8.3 percent sales tax, 2 percent of which goes to the city. But Phoenix has not taxed food items since the early 1980s.

After Tuesday's vote, Mesa and Surprise are the only Valley cities that do not tax food items, though Surprise is eyeing a 1 percent food tax.

Elizabeth Van Wie told the council that the tax will be devastating for her family of six, which spends $900 to $1,300 a month on groceries. Business at the Van Wies' car wash has taken a 60 percent dive during the recession, and the family has begun growing vegetables to save money.

She suggested taxing fast food, cigarettes or alcohol, instead. "To tax a basic need for my family is disastrous," said Van Wie, her four young children in tow.

But union leaders argued the tax would keep more police officers and firefighters on the streets and emergency response times down.

Pete Gorraiz, president of the United Phoenix Firefighters Association, said city budget officials told him the food tax could provide a $6.9 million boost to the fire budget, saving nearly 40 firefighters' jobs and up to eight civilian employees. The extra revenue would spare three engine companies and an ambulance.

"There are services, and there are critical services," Gorraiz said. "In our business, if you start taking away our ability to meet response times, it's literally the difference between life and death."

Council members approved the tax on a 6-3 vote, with council members Sal DiCiccio, Bill Gates and Peggy Neely dissenting.

DiCiccio called the tax regressive, saying it harms the working poor, seniors and others on fixed incomes. Gates and Neely said they objected to pushing the tax through without giving residents enough time to have their say. Gordon had called for a special meeting just 24 hours earlier so the council could vote on the tax.

"We need to wait until everyone has had an opportunity to weigh in before we vote on this food tax. That is the Phoenix way of doing things," Gates said during the four-hour meeting. "I'm concerned this will enflame some people who will say, 'I didn't have the opportunity to be heard.' "

Gordon said that the sooner the council adopted the tax, the more money there would be to reduce proposed cuts. Implementing the tax in April means the city would have an extra $12.5 million for the current fiscal year.

Added Councilman Michael Nowakowski, an early supporter of the tax: "We're investing in our kids, we're investing in our seniors, we're investing in our libraries and our parks. We're investing in our future."

But local grocers and shoppers said Phoenix's food tax will hit them in their pocketbooks at a time they can least afford it.

"You can't do that to people right now in this market. They're being crunched in every possible way, and this was the only area they were not being taxed on," said Ken Schnitzer, owner of Luci's Healthy Marketplace, a specialty grocery store that opened last year in Phoenix.

"We're a new business that is trying to make it," he added. "Obviously, this will hurt our sales because people can't spend much money, and these are essentials that people need on a daily basis."

Buying cookies and other snacks at Bashas' Supermarket at Seventh Avenue and Osborn Road, Mark Evertz, a snowbird from Montana, said he may start spending winters in Mesa or another community that doesn't tax food items.

"It doesn't take long before a few pennies here and a few pennies there start to add up," said Evertz, 59, a disabled veteran who relies on his fixed pension benefits
.

Netherlands Retail Report - USDA FAS

Netherlands Retail Report - USDA FAS

In addition to the fact that Benelux consumers are shedding retailer-loyalty, they shop at different times and locations. During lunch breaks, people buy their lunch and often the ingredients for that evening‟s meal. Small convenience stores, like “AH To Go” and “Delhaize shop „n go” are opened at locations near heavy traffic like train stations, schools, and shopping malls to satisfy these consumers‟ needs. The traditional neighborhood grocery stores are either going out of business, are taken over or are changing their product portfolio. They are expanding the grocery line of fresh and convenient prepared-foods with tailor-made sandwiches, filled tortillas and drinks to satisfy the consumers‟ need for “food for now”. The ready-to-cook segment is also expanding. Awareness of Health and Well-Being Consumers are becoming more aware of and are more concerned about the effects food has on their health and well-being. There is a trend to a healthier lifestyle in Western countries. The following US industries have all benefitted from this trend: nuts (like pistachios, almonds, walnuts, etc.), fruits (like cranberries, pomegranates, berries, etc.), seafood (like salmon, halibut, etc.). Consumers are more cautious about foodborne illnesses. Consumers are looking for and finding more information on this topic; the media, including the Internet, TV and magazines, respond to this desire and feed into it. Food processors and retailers play a crucial role as well, as they develop and market food products (like juices from POMwonderfull, Healthy People, etc.) to create, anticipate and meet consumers‟ needs.

Climate Change – Carbon Footprint Labeling Last year the European Commission conducted a survey on mandatory Carbon Footprint Labeling (CFL). Popular support for CFLl by country, varied between 47% to 90% of all 27,000 Europeans that were interviewed. Seventy percent of the respondents in Belgium and Luxemburg were supportive of a mandatory label whereas this was only supported by half of the Dutch interviewees. The latter, on the other hand, were after the Finnish the most likely (28%) to prefer a voluntary labeling system. The outcome of the survey can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/pdf/FL256_analytical%20report_final.pdf After the December 2009 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the discussion on CFL got a new boost. Belgian federal Minister of Climate and Energy, Mr. Paul Magnette, stated that in addition to the price, the CO2 emission should also be mentioned on each product. This way, consumers become aware and see to what extent the products they buy influence global warming. Carbon Footprint Labeling is not (yet) an issue in the Netherlands. The government hasn‟t come out with a statement or position on CFL. It seems that all the individual stakeholders are waiting for the other to make the first move. Within the EU-27, the U.K. and Sweden are taking a leading role in CFL. For more information on Sweden, see GAIN Report SW9016. The overall labeling requirements for the Benelux can be found in the following GAIN Reports: NL9020 and GAIN BE9004.

Kimberly Garrison: It's time to turn the tables on childhood - Philly.com

Kimberly Garrison: It's time to turn the tables on childhood - Philly.com

FIRST LADY Michelle Obama is right on time with her message about childhood obesity.

Last Thursday, Obama and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announced their advocacy and commitment to turning the tide on childhood obesity.

"The number of Americans, like me, who are struggling with their weight and health conditions related to their weight remains much too high," Benjamin said during a news conference at an Alexandria, Va., YMCA.

Benjamin cited harrowing health statistics that we know all to well: More than two-thirds of adults and a third of all children in the United States are overweight or obese, which increases the odds for chronic diseases, disability and premature death.

From an economic stand point, a whopping $150 billion is spent annually on obesity and related complications, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Obama said that her advocacy and leadership around obesity began at home. She shared her personal struggle when her pediatrician voiced concerns about her girls' climbing BMIs: "In my eyes my children were perfect. I didn't see the changes. . . . We always think that happens to someone else's kids."

She continued, "I had to lead our family to a different way."

Some of the changes the first lady made were limiting the children's television during the week, increasing their activity, paying more attention to portion size and making sure that there were more fruits and vegetables on the menu. She's also urging them to drink more water.

More than food for thought, this is good, old-fashioned commonsense advice that we can all benefit from.

The Obama administration has committed $650 million to fund prevention and wellness programs aimed at combating obesity and smoking, according to Sebelius.

Portion control is for kids

Managing food portions isn't just for adults; kids need it, too.

If you and the kids are dining at the local fast-food joint, remember that a regular "happy meal" burger is an adult serving of meat. No need to force your child to eat the whole thing. Not to mention that these so-called kids' meals are packed with excess calories - typically, 500 or more!

What kids need are more fruits and vegetables and less fast food. Contrary to popular belief, a bag of chips or a candy bar costs more than an apple. More importantly, the apple gives kids much needed nutrition and fiber.

Lucky for us Philadelphians, we have choices, such as the many farmers markets that sell locally grown produce at affordable prices, the Reading Terminal Market and organizations like the Food Trust, which work to provide fresh and affordable produce for all.

Exercise is for everyone

Everyone can benefit from regular exercise, but active children are especially rewarded. These kids generally have:

_ Stronger muscles.

_ Stronger bones.

_ More lean mass.

_ Lower body fat.

_ Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes

_ Lower risk of high cholesterol.

_ Lower risk of high blood pressure.

_ Improved mood.

_ More self-confidence and higher self-esteem.

Many factors are contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic, but the bottom line is that kids are way too sedentary. All children age 2 and up should get a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

In an effort to keep our youngers active, the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity is offering free, one-year memberships to every seventh-grader in the region. YMCA, you rock!

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com). E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo!

Wal-Mart Shedding 300 Positions At Headquarter - WSJ

Wal-Mart Shedding 300 Positions At Headquarter - WSJ

By KAREN TALLEY

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is laying off roughly 300 employees at its Bentonville, Ark., headquarters as the retailer aligns its staffing with changes it announced earlier this week at its operating divisions.

Wal-Mart, in a memo Wednesday to employees, called the cuts the "last major strategic piece" of an effort to drive greater growth, leverage and returns for the company, its customers and its shareholders.

The job cuts will be in Wal-Mart's legal, finance, corporate affairs, human resources and information systems departments. Wal-Mart employees 12,000 at its headquarters.

Over the past week or so, Wal-Mart has announced operational changes at its U.S. stores and Sam's Club warehouses, and a shift in the way it sources goods.

The "organizational changes at our home office" will put staffing more in sync with the operational changes, Wal-Mart Chief Executive Mike Duke said in the memo. "I believe that if we ask our operations to be leaner and more customer-focused, we must ask the same of our support teams at the home office."

Wednesday's statement follows Wal-Mart's announcement Jan. 28 that it plans to break up its U.S. business into North, South and Western regions, each of which would have its own real-estate teams to scout and build new stores, and merchandising teams to fine-tune the mix of products sold to suit local customs. The new model more closely resembles the company's international operations, which are headed by country presidents with similar teams working underneath them.

Duke said that the U.S. changes would allow the company to "grow in new markets, leverage scale for greater efficiency, and offer new opportunities for some of our most talented associates."

The retailer said it is closing 10 poorly performing Sam's Club warehouse stores and letting go 11,200 Sam's Club employees as it shifts from using its own staff to a private company to provide in-store product demonstrations.

Wal-Mart also announced a strategic alliance with Li & Fung Ltd. in an effort to both reduce costs and improve product quality. Global buying agent Li & Fung, of Hong Kong, said it expects to provide about $2 billion worth of goods to Wal-Mart in the deal's first year. The agreement will allow Wal-Mart to bypass numerous importers.

Duke said in Wednesday's memo, "Each move has been designed to help us become more global, take advantage of our scale, and move our business even closer to the customer."

Write to Karen Talley at karen.talley@dowjones.com s

Social Media Week: Editors Have Whole New Role - Huffington Post

Social Media Week: Editors Have Whole New Role - Huffington Post


As publishers embrace social media, editors are finding that their own roles are quickly being redefined.

This was the topic of Tuesday's Social Media Week panel Networked News Gatherers: Defining the Social Media Editor Role. Taking place at the Time & Life Building in New York, the event brought together editors from a range of media outlets to discuss how major media companies are managing their social network presence and who does the managing.

Moderated by Melissa Parrish, the director of community strategy for Lifestyle Digital, Time Inc., the panel included Jen Preston, social media editor for the New York Times; Rachel Sklar, editor at large at Mediaite.com and former media editor at the Huffington Post; and Cyndi Stivers, managing editor for EW.com.
2010-02-03-Sklar.jpg

The panelists agreed that social media had changed and was continuing to change the duties of editors and reporters. Sklar said that for her, writing a post is now 50 percent of the work while posting it on Facebook, tweeting it and moderating the comments is now the other half of the time.

She felt this makes a case for employing dedicated social media editors, especially at larger organizations, where they can help stay on top of this while letting other editors focus on writing their stories. "That's why those positions are not only existing but existing with serious, qualified, awesome people in them," said Sklar. "They're not joke positions, they're real and they matter so much."

Preston had a slightly different take, describing a social media editor as someone who encourages other editors to learn how to use these tools to most effectively connect with readers and get their stories out. She described how at the Times the goal remains, "to be wherever the conversation is taking place."

"People have been talking about the content of the New York Times around the dinner table, the water cooler or the horse and buggy for a very long time," said Preston.

As EW.com has begun to fully utilize social media, it has continued to be more instinctual than carefully planned, according to Stivers. "I think we all are constantly checking our own gut reactions on this stuff." But she added that, "we're going to be pretty cautious until there's a best practices document floating around in the ether somewhere."

Preston discussed her own growth as a social media maven, describing being razzed early in her tenure by the Times' David Carr for having "a mom phone." She also recounted accidentally sending a private Twitter message meant for Nicholas Kristof out to all the New York Times' followers.

Sklar sympathized, describing her early surprise at the vitriol directed her way from Huffington Post commenters during the height of the Democratic primary in 2008. But she emphasized that generally those who learn how to harness the tools find online communities to be supportive and helpful.

"One of the nicest comment communities I've ever seen anywhere on the Internet is Brian Williams' Daily Nightly blog," said Sklar, describing how she had formed a connection with a handful of regular commenters. "It was an interesting way of being pulled into something that I wasn't part of but was just observing."

Discussion of lively comment sections led to the point that social media is more than just Twitter and Facebook. While these are the two most popular tools at the moment, the panel agreed that it is the job of a social media editor to be constantly on the lookout for new ways to engage readers.

"The most fun is scanning the horizon to see what's next," said Stivers "You just keep scampering along with it and who knows what's going to develop next?"

Sklar agreed. "If we're going to survive as an industry, we have to figure out new models. The old ways aren't working or they're working in very limited ways for a very limited number of power players."

Economist Roubini: Obama’s Fiscal-Econ-Social Agenda Imperiled - Veterans Today

Economist Roubini: Obama’s Fiscal-Econ-Social Agenda Imperiled - Veterans Today

Recommend reading and signing up for a free economic newsletter from these guys, they have been prophetic: Roubini Global Economics! (RGE)
—
This week, RGE tracked a series of events that revealed the Obama administration’s juggling act: an effort to maintain growth, tame the fiscal deficit and garner the congressional support needed to implement policy. Democrats’ loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat raised questions about President Obama’s ability to take forward reforms on financial regulation, fiscal austerity and health care. Though Obama’s response was prompt and decisive, with proposals for financial-sector reforms that surprised markets and plans to address the ballooning fiscal deficit, his waning political capital will stand in the way of achieving his fiscal, social and economic goals.

Obama on January 14 proposed a Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee, a tax levied on the non-deposit liabilities of the largest financial institutions to cover the expected losses from the TARP program. The tax, expected to be imposed for at least 10 years, with an assessment of 15 basis points per year, would raise US$90 billion over that period and approximately US$117 billion over 12 years. Only firms with consolidated assets greater than US$50 billion would be affected, and over 60% of revenues would most likely be garnered from the 10 biggest firms. U.S. subsidiaries of foreign firms would also be subject to the fee.

Among the tax options on the table, which also include a global financial transaction fee (“Tobin Tax”) and a Bonus Tax, a risk-based fee is the most efficient solution. As previously advocated by RGE Chairman Nouriel Roubini and Lasse Pedersen in this op-ed, a similar systemic risk levy to finance a “resolution fund” is being considered in Congress as a way to internalize potential bailout costs stemming from too-big-to-fail institutions. Obama’s risk-based fee model is gaining traction at the international level, as this Critical Issuedetails. At the Davos Forum, some leaders of the largest financial institutions have voiced support for the proposal. Jaime Caruana, the chief of the BIS, stated that the most realistic way to institute a global levy would be to implement a similar levy in Europe. Moreover, at the G20’s request, the IMF is producing a study on the various ways in which the financial sector could help recoup the costs of public-sector crisis support.

On January 21, the president proposed the “Volcker Rule,”named after former Fed chairman Paul Volcker, one of the biggest proponents of Glass-Steagall-type restrictions (although his current proposal—endorsed by the president—does not call for a separation of commercial and investment banking activities). The president’s proposal would put limits on the size and scope of the U.S. banking sector in the interest of addressing risk management and conflict-of-interest concerns. According to Volcker, the rationale for limiting the size of institutions arises from the vital capital intermediation and payment system functions they provide for the real economy. The complexity that arises from the combination of these activities is reason enough to limit each institution’s size, to ensure that an individual failure would not disrupt the economy. For the same reason, he argues, leveraging the risk inherent in commercial banks’ maturity-transformation business with proprietary trading activities is not warranted and should not be backstopped by the safety net provided to ensure deposit-taking institutions’ core activities. The same reasoning applies to bank ownership of private equity and hedge funds, with conflicts of interest an additional aggravating factor.

In Dr. Roubini’s view, the new Volcker Rule is a step in the right direction. More radical reforms, like breaking up too-big-to-fail financial firms and returning to Glass-Steagall-type restrictions, that are needed to stave off asset bubbles and tame systemic risk may be politically difficult to implement, he warns.

This month, the Obama administration released its FY2011 budget, which forecasts fiscal deficits of US$1.55 trillion (10.6% of GDP) and US$1.3 trillion (8.3% of GDP) for FY2010 and FY2011 respectively. To support economic recovery in the near term, the administration plans to increase spending on several stimulus measures: extending unemployment benefits and health-care subsidies for unemployed workers, providing tax and credit incentives for small businesses to invest and hire workers, extending payroll tax cuts for the middle class and increasing funding for states, infrastructure and transportation. Meanwhile, the administration plans to begin to reduce the fiscal deficit in 2012 and bring it below 4.0% of GDP by 2014 by adopting fiscal consolidation measures and reducing the primary deficit through raising taxes on high-income households and investors and cutting spending on health care and discretionary programs.

These proposals fall short of aggressive fiscal reforms, and the fiscal deficit is likely to remain near US$1 trillion and exceed 5.0% of GDP over the next decade (and trend higher thereafter). Near-term spending on fiscal stimulus and defense will remain high at least until 2011, as Obama’s proposed three-year freeze on discretionary spending excludes defense and entitlements. A sluggish and jobless economic recovery and weaknesses in the financial and household sectors will keep revenues subdued and constrain tax hikes. Rather than yielding savings, as projected by Congress and the administration, the health-care reform legislation will burden the fiscal deficit over the next decade. Health-care mandates and subsidies will raise government spending, while cost savings from the proposed reforms will be small and accrue only in the longer term. The elimination of the “public option” might reduce fiscal costs, but the lack of it will keep insurance premiums high.

Obama simply lacks the political support to implement aggressive fiscal reforms. The Senate recently voted against Obama’s proposals on spending freezes and the establishment of a fiscal commission, whose role would be to send fiscal reform legislation to Congress that would have to be voted on or thrown out without the possibility of amendments. Moreover, if policymakers extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts beyond 2011, when they are scheduled to expire, the impact on the fiscal deficit and U.S. fiscal credibility would be immense. Washington has not signaled strong support for wider tax reforms, such as introducing a value-added tax (VAT).

Despite the ticking fiscal bomb, mid-term and presidential elections in November 2010 and 2012 respectively will further constrain political will to undertake necessary reforms. With sub-par economic recovery and an unemployment rate above 9.0% forecast for 2011-12, the Democrats, grappling to maintain power, are unlikely to approve spending cuts, while the Republicans, seeking to revive their prominence, will be unyielding on tax hikes. Even if Obama manages to establish a fiscal commission by executive order, Congress will be wont to reject any radical fiscal reform proposals.

Food Companies Face Fees Under Obama Budget Proposal - WSJ

Food Companies Face Fees Under Obama Budget Proposal - WSJ


WASHINGTON—Food companies and drug makers could face more than $250 million in new fees under a proposal included in the Food and Drug Administration budget Monday by the Obama administration.

The fees would be used to review applications for generic drugs, improve inspections of food facilities and cover the costs of reinspecting drug manufacturing plants.



The fees would have to be enacted by Congress before they could be collected, and the idea faces opposition from the food industry. Presidents have proposed such fees before without success.

Food inspection and registration fees were in a House food-safety bill passed last year. The Senate hasn't moved forward on a companion bill.

Kraft Foods Inc. spokeswoman Susan Davison said the company supports increased funding for the FDA but believes the money should come from direct government spending rather than fees on food companies. General Mills Inc. spokeswoman Kirstie Foster said, "We support the proposed funding. Ensuring food safety is the highest priority of our industry."

Overall, the Obama budget would boost funding for the FDA by $80 million to $2.43 billion for fiscal year 2011. The overall budget figures don't include user fees the agency collects from companies to review product applications and inspect facilities. Including such fees, Obama's budget request totals $3.7 billion compared with $3.2 billion in fiscal 2010.

Some of that increase stems from a law President Barack Obama signed last year giving the FDA the authority to regulate the tobacco industry. The budget calls for the agency to collect $215 million in user fees from tobacco companies in 2011.

Last year, the FDA received a $300 million budget increase, the largest in its history. Considering inflation, this year's proposal is "basically a flat budget," said Bill Hubbard, a former associate commissioner for policy and planning at the agency.

The administration cited food safety as a major focus. The proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services includes $1.4 billion to strengthen food safety initiatives and enforcement, and implement core principles of the president's Food Safety Working Group, which he announced in March, 2009 in the wake of deaths from bacteria-infected peanut butter, and the recall of some pistachio products. It wasn't immediately clear what mix of existing and new programs was included in the $1.4 billion figure.

The working group is designed to coordinate efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services, including the FDA, with the Department of Agriculture. Its mandate includes more inspections of plants and warehouses, as well as programs designed to prevent contamination and food-borne outbreaks of diseases from salmonella and E. coli bacteria.

The FDA has already taken one step proposed by the working group, creating a new position of FDA deputy commissioner for food. Michael Taylor, a food safety expert and former FDA official, was named to that post last year.

Some lawmakers, such as Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D., Conn.), who heads the House appropriations panel that handles the FDA budget, have pushed for the creation of a separate food safety agency. That proposal isn't part of the Obama budget, but Mark Mansour of the Bryan Cave lobbying firm in Washington said the strengthening of the working group is a step in that direction.

"There's evidence, such as this budget item, suggesting people are working around the current system to implement a separate, food-directed agency, even if it doesn't formally exist," Mr. Mansour said.
—Paul Ziobro contributed to this article.

Truckers fight emission initiative - Calgary Herald

Truckers fight emission initiative - Calgary Herald

Carbon - Trade associations for the oil, chemical and trucking industries filed suit in federal court in Fresno, Calif., on Tuesday to void the state's first-in-the-U.S. low-carbon fuel initiative.

The regulations, which took effect last month, are aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel sold in the United States' largest transportation market by 10 per cent, and spurring the development of alternative fuels and technology.

But the lawsuit portrays the rules as discriminating "against transportation fuels and fuel feed stocks imported from outside of California with the intended effect of promoting in-state production of transportation fuels and keeping consumer dollars local."

Preserve family farming JSOnline

Preserve family farming JSOnline


Posted: Feb. 3, 2010 |(1) Comments

The future of the family farm in Wisconsin is being threatened. The latest blow to family farming came last month, when the Department of Natural Resources approved a permit enabling Rosendale Dairy in Fond du Lac County to expand its operations from 4,000 cows to 8,000, making it the largest dairy farm in the state.

A family farm is defined as a farm owned and operated by a family, passed down from generation to generation. It was once the basic unit of our agricultural economy. A factory farm is a large-scale industrial farm operated by an agribusiness - a farm that operates as a factory.

Factory farms are threatening to replace family farms. U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show that 61% of U.S. farm production comes from the nation's largest farms (8% of all farms), while only 39% of all production comes from the remaining 92% of small, family farms.

There are concerns about factory farms related to their impact on the environment and public health. Waterways can become polluted from pesticides and fertilizers used in large quantities on factory farms. There are threats to public health because of the use of toxic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. There can be damage to the soil because of industrial farming practices. Yield and profitability tend to be of greater concern than environmental impact.

Organizations such as Family Farm Defenders and the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice are fighting back to preserve family farms in Wisconsin. Organizations expressing concern about the Rosendale Dairy permit included the Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter in Madison and Clean Wisconsin Inc. In spite of objections from environmentalists and neighbors, the DNR has opened the door to megadairies in Wisconsin.

Support of local and regional family farmers in Wisconsin is essential in the fight against factory farms. Having lost the battle against the Rosendale expansion, environmental advocates and those interested in preserving family farming need to press for stronger legislation in Madison as well as in Washington.

Kathie Leemon of Delafield is retired from manufacturing. E-mail kathieleemon@ymail.com. For more information, go to the Web site of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: www.datcp.state.wi.us
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'Prewashed' Salads May Need Another Rinse Web Md

'Prewashed' Salads May Need Another Rinse Web Md
Consumer Reports Analysis Finds Bacteria in Packaged Green Salads
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Feb. 3, 2010 -- Those "prewashed" and "triple-washed" bagged salad greens in the produce section of the supermarket may not be as clean as you think.

In a new investigation from the Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, high levels of bacteria commonly linked to poor sanitation and fecal contamination were found in many of the sampled packaged salads.

The bacteria did not pose a health risk to the public, but their presence indicated a higher likelihood of contamination with rare but potentially deadly pathogens like E. coli and salmonella, Consumers Union senior scientist Michael Hansen, PhD, tells WebMD.

An E. coli outbreak in the fall of 2006 traced to packaged fresh spinach killed three people and hospitalized more than 100.

The cause of the contamination was never confirmed, but the E. coli is widely believed to have reached the spinach through groundwater that contained the feces of cattle and pigs.
Oldest Produce Had Most Bacteria

Consumer Reports investigators sampled 208 packaged salads, representing 16 brands purchased last summer in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. The salads were sold in either bags or plastic clamshell containers.

They found that 39% of the samples contained more than 10,000 "most probable number" per gram -- a measure of total coliforms, which are bacteria associated with fecal contamination. And 23% had more than 10,000 colony forming units (CFU) per gram of the bacterium enterococcus.

According to the report, experts contacted by Consumer Reports considered these levels unacceptable.

Bacteria levels varied widely, with some samples containing undetectable levels and others containing more than 1 million CFUs per gram, Hansen says.

Among the other findings:

* Packaged produce tested at least six days from their use-by date tended to have lower levels of the bacteria than produce tested within five days of the use-by date.
* Salad mixes that included spinach tended to have higher bacteria levels than those without spinach.
* Contamination levels were similar whether the produce was packaged in a bag or clamshell container. And samples labeled "organic" were just as likely to have high levels of the bacteria as other samples.
* Little difference was seen in bacteria levels between larger, nationally distributed brands and smaller, regional brands. All brands with more than four samples had at least one package with relatively high levels of total coliforms or enterococcus.

Hansen says consumers should look for products that are at least six days from their use-by date when buying packaged salad products.

And products labeled "prewashed" or "triple-washed" should be washed again, even though this probably won't remove all bacteria, he says.

The report was made public online this week and it appears in the March issue of Consumer Reports.
Produce Industry Responds

Packaged salad products exploded onto the market in the early 1990s and in less than two decades sales have climbed to almost $3 billion a year.

The produce industry responded to the article in Consumer Reports by stressing that the bacteria found by the investigators posed no risk to the public.

"Consumer Union found only harmless, naturally occurring bacteria, for which no detection standards have been established by the federal government," reads a joint written statement from the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association.

The trade groups also called on Congress to pass comprehensive food safety reform and adequately fund the FDA to ensure the agency can "fulfill its mission to safeguard consumers."

"The produce industry is committed to providing safe and healthy foods, every bite, every time," the statement reads. "Our growers are often the first to eat the foods we sell, and they understand the importance of maintaining consumer confidence. The industry has already invested tens of millions of dollars in food safety programs, and related research."

The Senate is considering a food safety reform bill that would require the FDA to develop safety standards for the growing and processing of fresh produce. The reform would also require the agency to declare acceptable levels of specific bacteria in packaged products.

FRUIT LOGISTICA news update - 3 February 2010

FRUIT LOGISTICA news update - 3 February 2010

State Secretary Klöckner opens the leading trade fair for fruit and vegetable marketing

Julia Klöckner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection today opened FRUIT LOGISTICA, the leading international trade fair for the fresh produce trade. She joined Dr Christian Göke, Messe Berlin Chief Operating Officer, and FRUIT LOGISTICA Global Brand Manager Gérald Lamusse on a vitamin-rich journey across the continents. Together with Dr. Göke and the Ana Graciela Aguilar Antuñano, Chief Executive Director of the Mexican Association ASERCA, Klöckner cut the white ribbon to officially open the pavilion for Mexico, this year's partner country. "In 1999, Mexico exported US$ 400 million in agricultural products to Europe. In 2008, goods worth US$ 800 million were exported. FRUIT LOGISTICA is one of the world's most important trade fairs for Mexico", explained Ms Antuñano. "Fruit and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. At FRUIT LOGISTICA, the whole world comes together with high-quality products", Klöckner added. "Thanks to international cooperation, agriculture, production and consumers are accessible all at once".

Fresh Produce Forum: Quality and safety not at dumping prices

In the face of last year's widespread price cuts by discount chains and the food retail sector, the theme "Top image, but low returns. Does fresh produce need a relaunch?" presented at 29th Fresh Produce Forum proved to be more current than ever. The situation in the market hasn't changed so far this year. Production and trade continue to suffer. In the meantime, it has become clear that the ongoing price cuts don't benefit anyone. Not even the discount chains managed to increase sales. In the end, it comes down to the battle for market share. Some of the players in the retail trade, including Metro Group CEO Eckhard Cordes and many other retail managers, have long since expressed doubt about this kind of competition. Consumers also seem to have gradually caught on to the idea that they may someday have to pay the bill for today’s cheaper prices.
Quality and food safety are not to be sold at dumping prices. Prof. David Hughes from Imperial College London, an internationally recognised expert in fruit and vegetable marketing, is familiar with all aspects of international trade thanks to his various activities for commercial enterprises. He presented some impressive approaches and new opportunities at this year's Fresh Produce Forum. A panel discussion was presented with the following specialists: Andreas Allenspach, Fresh Produce Marketing Manager of MIGROS Cooperative Association, Switzerland, Henning Schmidt, CEO of Landgard eG, Germany, Hein Deprez, CEO of the Univeg Group, Belgium and Dr. Michael Loschelder, a lawyer for industrial property rights specialising in brand, anti-trust and copyright law, Cologne, Germany. The lively discussion showed how all links in this chain, from production to the food retail sector – which includes discount outlets emphasised Walter Pötter of Lidl – are dissatisfied with the current situation and are looking for new concepts. The panellists indicated that it was time for everyone to sit down at the same table. Weak prices and low margins are no good to anyone.

Festive opening for FRUIT LOGISTICA – Partner country Mexico welcomes the sector

The word of the day at the FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 opening ceremony at the ICC Berlin was "Quality". German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner, who was present at the event via video conferencing from Brussels, described FRUIT LOGISTICA as the world's most important platform for fresh produce, one which lays the foundation for the future in terms of quality. Ana Graciela Aguilar Antuñano, Chief Executive Director of Aserca (Apoyos y Servicios a la Comercialización Agropecuaria) and representative of the official partner country Mexico, announced her country's biggest-ever exhibit at FRUIT LOGISTICA along with the largest variety of Mexican fruit and vegetables ever presented in Europe. Antuñano confirmed Mexico's ranking among the top 15 agricultural exporters in the world by the World Trade Organisation. "Avocados, lemons, beer, tequila and honey stand for Mexican quality all over the world", she said.
"Quality" was also a running theme throughout the speech of Oliver Weidner, Director of International Quality Management for Lidl, Germany. His journey through time went from the development of the fresh produce industry to the "Green Revolution" of the 60s, all the way to the enlightened and quality-conscious buyers and consumers of today. His credo: "In today's market, only those who really examine the consumers' ideas of quality and consistently put these into practice can be sure of securing acceptance as a trustworthy market provider."
Emmanuel Jacquin, Head of the European Commission Fresh Produce Unit, spoke about the numerous campaigns and measures taken over the last few years. He said these measures have improved European quality standards and continually develop sales potential for agricultural goods. Pointing to the future he added, "Value creation for the consumer needs to be increased even further. This clearly includes product quality and environmental sustainability." Messe Berlin's Chief Operating Officer Dr. Christian Göke underscored the impressive FRUIT LOGISTICA track record with some remarkable figures. More than 2,300 exhibitors from over 70 countries will be present at this year's fair. The share of foreign exhibitors is over 89%. Göke explained, "As trade fair organisers, what pleases us even more than these figures is the quality of this trade fair". All of the world's key market players are in Berlin for FRUIT LOGISTICA, which has become a don't miss event for the sector. Göke said he hoped all FRUIT LOGISTICA participants enjoy interesting discussions, promising contacts and successful business dealings at this year's fair.

Minister Zaia recognises importance of FRUIT LOGISTICA

Speaking at the trade fair, Luca Zaia, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, said, "As the sector's most important trade event, FRUIT LOGISTICA provides excellent opportunities to Italian agricultural producers". The politician took a few hours time on Wednesday to visit the various companies from Italy exhibiting at different stands across three halls. He posed for photographs with products and staff at the stands and answered questions from the numerous TV crews from Italy. Once again, Italy is the leading country at the trade fair with 413 exhibitors and 15% more display stand area this year. Minister Zaia said he was impressed by the presentation of the regions and companies. He explained that quality and certification are key factors when it comes to products and that Germany remains the most important market for Italy's agricultural sector.

Hungary advertises lesser known products

"Hungarian fruit and vegetable production is currently undergoing rapid development", explained Dr Béla Mártonffy, Managing Director of the Hungarian inter-professional organisation FruitVeB. He said that the aim was not to promote Hungarian goods as a mass product in Europe, but to emphasise the special quality by taking advantage of conditions in the Carpathian Basin. "In unison with better known Hungarian goods, like chillies, watermelons, mushrooms, apricots, sour cherries and walnuts, we wish to expand our export product range" said Mártonffy. For example, he mentions sweet cherries, sour cherries (for fresh consumption), sugar melons, asparagus and sweet maize as well as tomatoes for fresh consumption. "FRUIT LOGISTICA provides Hungarian fruit and vegetable producers with the ideal platform to promote lesser known goods in other parts of Europe and to find retail partners for these goods". (Hall 23, Stands D-03/E-02, Contact: Anita Ferencz, tel. +36-70-334-7540, Email: anita.ferencz@fruitveb.hu)

South Tyrol focuses on organic farming

"With a stake of 25% in Europe’s organic apple crop, South Tyrol is already the strongest supplier of organic apples in the European Union", reports Paul Zandanel from the Export Organisation South Tyrol of the Chamber of Commerce of Bolzano speaking at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Approximately 4% of South Tyrol’s apple crop is organically grown each year on around 680 hectares of land at an altitude between 200 and 1,100 metres. The crop yield has consistently increased over the past years. Some 37,000 tonnes of organic apples were harvested in 2008, 31,000t in 2007 and a total of 24,000t in 2006. In 2009, 35,000 tonnes were harvested. “Due to increasing demand, we are planning to cultivate even more apples in compliance with organic guidelines, while taking care to adjust the variety to meet market requirements”, Zandanel adds. (Hall 4.2, Stand B-10, contact: Paul Zandanel, tel. +39-0471-945750, E-mail: info@suedtirolerapfel.com)

Inter Weichert introduces new packaging for "Pitúmettes"

Celebrating the company’s 100th anniversary this year, Internationale Fruchtimport Gesellschaft Weichert GmbH & Co. KG is introducing new packaging options for their "Pitúmettes". As an alternative to net bags, trade visitors at FRUIT LOGISTICA will see a new, attractive tray that accommodates six pieces of fruit, as well as a sleeve that holds three pieces. Inter Weichert is also presenting a ready-to-eat papaya – the "Solo Sunrise" variety from the brand "Nino". Transported by ship, it offers an attractive alternative to air freight goods. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-04, contact: Ralph Fischer, tel. +49-40-32900220, e-mail: info@interweichert.de)

Cobana: Boruszewski warns against further price decline

Price decline has been the key topic of many conversations and discussion forums at FRUIT LOGISTICA this year. Jürgen Boruszewski, Managing Director of Cobana Fruchtring GmbH & Co. KG, emphasizes the crucial need to make food retail industry customers and consumers aware of the real implications of price decline. "If the prices that producers charge are consistently lower than their actual costs over a long period of time, it can have severe consequences on the procurement of goods." If such an unfavourable variance is sustained, Boruszewski predicts that export will likely shift its focus to new and different markets outside of Europe. (Hall 6.2, Stand A-05, contact: Stephan Schlick, tel. +49-40-30305270, e-mail: sst@cobana-fruchtring.de)


Alara Agri Business monitors quality in real time

Alara Agri Business, a member of the UNIVEG group, announced today (3rd February) at FRUIT LOGISTICA that it will begin utilising the Xsense™ monitoring system for perishable goods. Developed by StePac, part of the DS Smith Plc group, the system provides real-time monitoring of the temperature and relative humidity inside fruit storage containers. Implementing this technology will enable Alara to better monitor the condition of its cherries and figs as they are transported from the company’s packing facility in Turkey to destinations throughout Europe. "We see Xsense as an important tool for building our brand’s reputation. It will also help us improve our market presence, customer service and customer satisfaction", says Alara’s CEO Kerim Taner. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-03, contact: Nancy Goovaerts, tel. +32-15-324296, e-mail: nancy.goovaerts@univeg.com)


Keeping buds and flower water cool

The Dutch company Bercomex Retail is presenting solutions for the sale of plants and cut flowers at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010. The flower cooling displays operate based on the duo-cooling principle. "Both the flower water and the flowers or buds themselves are kept cool", explains Sandra van Ingen Schenau. From the compact display "Florall-in" to the solo presentation "Conditio Flora", all stand-up displays are environment friendly and designed to encourage impulse buying. These solutions can be implemented in grocery stores, convenience stores, florists and garden centres. (Hall 3.2, Stand C-16, contact: Sandra van Ingen Schenau, tel. +31 (0) 229 50 21 50, mobile phone: +31 (0) 653 66 43 99, e-mail: sandravaningenschenau@bercomex.com)

Tokita Seed: Colourful siblings for the Tomatoberry

Tokita Seed brings Far East innovations to the tomato market. Two years after its Tomatoberry took third place in the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award competition, the Japanese company is now debuting its heart-shaped Tomatoberry Grande – twice the size of the Tomatoberry – at FRUIT LOGISTICA. Three colourful siblings will also be unveiled at this year's trade fair: the chocolate-brown Sunchocola, the yellow Sunlemon and the green-ripening Sungreen. (Hall 1.2, Stand A-04, contact: Hiromi Kameyama, tel. +81-80-3002 4457, e-mail: hkameyama@tokitaseed.co.jp)

South Africa: Europe largest market for fruit products, 1.5 million tonnes sold

Europe is the largest market for fruit products from South Africa. The country exports 1.5 million tonnes of fruit to Europe each year. This accounts for about 70% of the entire fruit production. Seedless lemons are joining a complete range of fruit products on the market this year. "For us, FRUIT LOGISTICA is the perfect one-stop-shop. Here we can meet all the key decision-makers in the fruit trade", explains Stuart Symington from the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum (fpef). "We can trade with Europe on a timely basis – due to the geographic location – and not lag behind because of the time differences in Asia or America. (Hall 5.2, Stand C-02, Contact: Stuart Symington,
tel. +27 82 685 5984, e-mail: stuart@fpef.co.za)

Total Produce restructures British companies

At FRUIT LOGISTICA the Irish Total Produce Group is introducing the restructuring of its British companies announced just a few days ago. Under the umbrella of Total Worldfresh (formerly Redbridge Worldfresh) the companies are now classified according to business units. Total Berry is merging operations with soft fruit and Total Cherry is responsible for cherries and other pome fruit. Utopia, acquired at the end of November, will be merged with Total Exotics. Total Fruit is responsible for the import of apples, pears, citrus fruits and grapes and Total Import for the non-retail-oriented vegetable trade. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-11, Contact: Vincent Dolan,
tel. +353 86 820 49 36, e-mail: vdolan@totalproduce.com)

Brussels: number of exhibitors more than doubled

16 trading companies – ten more than last year – are represented at the joint stand organised by Brussels Export at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "This is most important trade fair for our exhibitors. The whole world comes to Berlin", says Eric van der Berghe. Fifteen of the participants are located in the European Centre of Fruit and Vegetables, which provides storage space for 32,000m². (Hall 6.2, Stand C-07, contact: Eric van den Berghe, tel. +32 499 86 72 62, e-mail: evandenberghe@mrbc.irisnet.be)

Individualised packaging design from South Korea

The South Korean company Teabang specialises in individualised packaging designs and packaging for food products. The company is present with its products for the second time at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "We would like the European market to get to know us and our products better", said Director J.K. Ho. (Hall 3.1, Stand C-18, contact: J.K. Ho, tel +82 11 356 0643, e-mail: jeikota@gmail.com)

Peel and slice carrots in a single step

The Finnish company Oy Fomit's Formit MPP630 Profiler makes it possible to peel and shape carrots to make baby carrots or carrot balls in one step. The machine has self-sharpening knives and cuts the carrots without water. "We are at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time and hope to set up international business contacts", says Rune Särs, Sales Manager. The product line also includes a potato peeler that peels potatoes of any size without manual adjustments and is controlled by computer programs. (Hall 4.1, Stand B-10, contact: Rune Särs, tel. +358 50 4440 522, e-mail: rune.sars@foodprocessing.fi)

Swiss exports supply premium-quality niche markets

"The minimum wage for seasonal workers in the fruit and vegetable farming industry are twice as high as the EU average", says Bernadette Galliker, Director of Sales Promotion for the Swiss fruit association at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "At the same time, according to a study by the Federal Office for Statistics, only 7.4% of an average family budget is spent on food in Switzerland." Because of the high cost of living, Switzerland continues to enjoy tariff protection that is intended to ensure domestic fruit prices cover the producers' costs, says Bernadette Galliker. "Imports are always possible, but are mainly limited to products that are not offered on the domestic market." That would affect, for example, an annual 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes of apples and pears respectively, mainly from June to August. Exports are restricted to high quality niche markets with approx. 1,000 tonnes of apples per year. (Hall 20, Stand A-17, contact: Rolf Matter, tel.: +41-41-7286860, e-mail: rolf.matter@swissfruit.ch)

Argentina explores the market for pomegranates

"We lead the world market in the export of pears and citrus fruits", says Patricio Pizzoglio of the Argentinean export promotion organisation Fundación Exportar. The country exported about 455,000 tonnes of pears and 244,000 tonnes of lemons in 2009. Key buyers include Brazil, Russia and the EU where Holland and Italy head the list. The blueberry has emerged as an up and coming crop over the past several years and is mainly sold in the EU, especially in Great Britain. In this sector, Argentina is the second largest exporter in South America after Chile. The 42 companies, which are exhibiting under the umbrella of the Fundación Exportar, see FRUIT LOGISTICA mainly as a way to establish business contacts with customers. "We also want to start exporting pomegranates in 2011. FRUIT LOGISTICA is a good opportunity to explore the market potential for this product", says Pizzoglio. (Hall 25, Stand B-07; contact: Patricio Pizzoglio, tel. +49-(0)-171-5204176; e-mail: pp@mrecic.gov.ar)

Apples from Germany. The right fruit for you.

"This is a great initiative, a first-class campaign. This is why we support you", said Julia Klöckner, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, to the press on the first day of FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010. With the new campaign "Apples from Germany. The Right Fruit for You", the supporting producer organisations are taking the promotion of German apples into their own hands. Dietmar Bahler, Managing Director of the Deutsches Obst-Sorten Konsortium GmbH, explained that the launch date for this campaign is 11 January 2010, the first day of the German apple. He said apples are the favourite fruit in Germany. The production volume comes to about one million tonnes per year. The sales volume of the German producer organisations is around 650,000 tonnes per year. This year the campaign supporters will make EUR 100,000 available for "Apples from Germany. The Right Fruit for You."

Portuguese pear producers seek new markets in the east and north

With annual production of 200,000 tonnes, Rocha pears are an important export product for Portugal. Coopval, Granfer and Unirocher, three of the largest producers, are exhibiting at a joint stand this year at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "For us this is the best place to meet customers and open up new markets", says Ricardo Silva of Unirocha. He adds that the focus of the Portuguese fruit producers is on Eastern European countries including Russia and Scandinavia, but there is also potential for sales in Germany. So far, the main buyers of pears, apples and plums have been Great Britain, Ireland, France and the Netherlands. (Hall 3.2, Stand B-23, contact: Ricardo Silva,
tel +351 261 336130, ricardo@unirocha.com)

Nothing but “Sensational Flavours” at Rijk Zwaan

The Dutch seed company Rijk Zwaan is presenting its products at FRUIT LOGISTICA under the banner "Sensational Flavours". "The vegetable varieties we sell that grow from our seeds are distinguished by their remarkably good flavour", said Communications Manager Steven van Paassen. Inspections and taste testing ensure that Rijk Zwaan tomatoes are not only sweet, but actually taste "remarkable", before they are sent to market. "The entire value chain meets here at FRUIT LOGISTICA, from producers to food retailers. We are at the very beginning of this chain. Without seed growers there wouldn't be any innovation, for which FRUIT LOGISTICA represents an ideal platform". (Hall 1.2, Stand D-11. contact: Steven van Paassen, mobile phone: +31 (0) 6 10 92 30 52, e-mail: s.van.paassen@rijkzwaan.nl)

Peru helps producers prepare to export

"The expectations of our exports at FRUIT LOGISTICA are surpassed all over again each year", said Carlos Jaime Montoya, a representative of the Peruvian Embassy in Berlin. At this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA, the exporters are presenting avocados and artichokes, mangos and citrus fruits, grapes and organically grown bananas – and asparagus, of course, in which the country leads the world market. The tender spears are cultivated in Peru on 27,000 hectares, and thanks to the favourable climate, the crop can be harvested year-round. "In 2009 we exported US$ 251 million worth of fresh asparagus, with nearly two-thirds going to the United States", said Leyla Rebaza of the Peruvian Asparagus and Vegetable Institute (IPEH). Spain is the most important customer for tinned asparagus – value of 2009 exports: US$ 113 million. The Lima Chamber of Commerce uses FRUIT LOGISTICA to introduce small and medium-sized businesses to the export market, with support from the EU's Al-Invest programme. (Hall 25, Stand C-06. Contact: Carlos Jaime Montoya, tel. +49-(0)-176-80236213; e-mail: montoya@embaperu.de)

Ecuador wants to conquer east European markets

"Papaya, mango and pineapple have grown sharply in recent years. But the most important export product for our farmers continues to be bananas", said Mary-Francis Andrade of Corpei, an Ecuadorian organisation that promotes exports. Three out of ten bananas eaten worldwide originate from the Andean country; 217 million crates with a value of about US$ 1.9 billion were exported last year. Meanwhile, the demand for organically grown fruit continues to grow. High priority is also placed on compliance with social standards in production, Andrade said. The most important market for Ecuadorian bananas has traditionally been the United States, but the country is planning to develop its position in the European market. "FRUIT LOGISTICA is a good opportunity to explore new markets. Currently, Eastern Europe is particularly interesting for us – Poland and the Czech Republic, for example", Andrade said. (Hall 25, Stand C-10. Contact: Mary-Francis Andrade Mendoza, tel. +593-(0)-9-9412309; e-mail: mandrade@corpei.org.ec)

Tomato caviar along with "groovy" and "funky" asparagus dishes

The Dutch Best Fresh Group is presenting numerous innovations at FRUIT LOGISTICA. "Tomberries" are the smallest tomatoes in the world, "like tomato caviar", said Managing Director Kees Valstar of the partner company Valstar Holland, who is also director of the Best Fresh Group. The European innovations "Soup Creation" and "Salad Creation" are fresh ingredients that are packaged together and that can be used to prepare healthy meals. The asparagus dishes called "groovy", "fantasy", "paradise" and "funky" are raw green asparagus tips that are prepared in a wok with different sauces. "At this trade fair, we talk to suppliers, food retailers and end customers. That's important, since 95 per cent of our products are sold in Europe", Valstar said. (Hall 1.2, Stand E-11. Contact: Kees Valstar, tel. +31 (0) 1 74 53 06 00, e-mail: info@valstar.nl)

Denmark presents top-quality organic vegetables
Gasa Nord Grönt represents about 100 Danish organic vegetable producers, and is exhibiting its wide range of products at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time. "We can no longer concentrate solely on the markets in Denmark. Europe is the market of the future for us. FRUIT LOGISITCA is the right place to make the appropriate contacts for this", said Kristian Kaae, Sales Manager for Gasa Nord Grönt, which generates annual turnover of EUR 100 million. The organic products cultivated on 1,000 hectares are subject to strict safety inspections and are all Global Gap-certified. Global Gap is a standard for fruit and vegetable farming that is recognised worldwide. (Hall 6.2, Stand B-03, contact: Kristian Kaae, tel. +45 30 71 05 55, e-mail: kk@gng.dk)

Vienna Wholesale Market: two-thirds for fruit and vegetables

"The Vienna Wholesale Market was founded in 1972 and covers an area of about 300,000m²", reports Alexander Hengl, PR Manager in the Vienna City Magistrate's Office, at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The market is continuously expanding with the addition of a modern waste disposal site and other facilities. About two-thirds of the wholesale market area is available for fruit and vegetables, Hengl said. "We turn over about 200,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables each year". The wholesale market is used by 460 merchants and producers. "For us, the Vienna Wholesale Market is the central platform for trade with the newer EU member states in the east". The PR manager mentioned that the company is taking part in the trade fair for the fourth time this year. "For us, FRUIT LOGISTICA serves more as a place to meet with business partners than for setting up new trade opportunities". (Hall 21, Stand F-07. Contact: Alexander Hengl, tel. +43-1-400012436, e-mail: alexander.hengl@wien.gv.at)


This press release is also available on the Internet: www.fruitlogistica.com / Press Service / Information

Press contact:

Messe Berlin GmbH
Michael T. Hofer, Director, Corporate Press and Public Relations

Wolfgang Rogall, Press Officer, Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin, Tel. +49 30 3038 2218, Fax: +49 30 3038 2287, rogall@messe-berlin.de