Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Friday, February 25, 2011

USDA Expands Efforts to Develop Crop Insurance for Biofuels Producers

USDA Expands Efforts to Develop Crop Insurance for Biofuels Producers

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2011--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will soon seek proposals to study the feasibility of providing crop insurance to producers of biofuel feedstocks, including corn stover, straw and woody biomass. These feasibility studies, funded by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) will join research efforts already underway for energy cane, switchgrass and camelina.
“Providing additional risk management tools for American farmers to produce advanced biofuels crops is an important step toward developing a thriving biofuels industry and reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” said Vilsack. “Renewable energy development contributes to the Obama Administration’s effort to ‘win the future’ by supporting America’s farmers as they grow and harvest materials that can be converted into renewable energy. This effort creates new jobs and opportunities for those who live in rural America.”
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 established a mandate that the American economy use 36 billion gallons of renewable transportation fuel per year in its transportation fuel supply by 2022. Of that, 20 billion gallons are targeted to come from sources such as switchgrass, energy cane, woody biomass and other non-food feedstocks.
Two contracts will be funded by USDA. Those interested in applying should refer to the solicitations which will be available on FedBizOpps at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/m or on RMA’s website at http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/opportunities/.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Sign MOU to Support Continued Development of Biofuels and Related Products

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Sign MOU to Support Continued Development of Biofuels and Related Products

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that he will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage the continued development of bio-based products for energy consumption, animal feed, chemicals and other uses.
“ This agreement will strengthen public, private and academic partnerships that are essential to bio-based industries,” Vilsack said. “It is important that we work together to encourage the development of more bio-based products. Not only will this reduce our nation’s dependence on imported oil, it also will lead to a cleaner, healthier environment.”
Vilsack will sign the MOU with the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, which was originally formed to provide leadership on ethanol policy development but has since expanded to address issues related to biodiesel, advanced biofuels and other products derived from renewable sources. Thirty-six states are Coalition members. Copies of the final version of the MOU will be made available on Monday.
The MOU calls for the parties to work together to support President Obama’s May 5, 2009, Biofuels Directive that calls for a reduction in energy consumption derived from fossil fuels. Specifically, it encourages the parties to address the following issues:
Eliminate obstacles to the development of higher-blend biofuels; develop techniques and systems that make feedstock production sustainable throughout the United States; and increase public understanding of the benefits of agriculture.
USDA is among the forefront of federal efforts to support the development of bio-based fuels. In early February, the Department announced a series of policy changes to increase the production and use of renewable energy. The changes increase the amount of financial assistance available for biorefinery loan guarantees, expand the types of facilities at which bioenergy products can be produced, and, in some cases, provide payments during the retrofitting of biofuels facilities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $146 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

Amid New Threats to Global Crop Diversity, Valuable Lima Beans, Tomato, Spinach and Cantaloupe Seeds Add to Growing Collection of Global Seed Vault

Amid New Threats to Global Crop Diversity, Valuable Lima Beans, Tomato, Spinach and Cantaloupe Seeds Add to Growing Collection of Global Seed Vault
Third Birthday of Arctic Repository Brings Surge in Seed Deposits, but also Reminders from Egypt, Australia and Russia of Natural and Man-made Risks to Global Agriculture

LONGYEARBYEN, NORWAY (25 February 2011)—The Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV) celebrated its third anniversary today with the arrival of seeds for rare lima beans, blight-resistant cantaloupe, and progenitors of antioxidant-rich red tomatoes from Peru and the Galapagos Islands. The arrival of these collections, including many drought- and flood-resistant varieties, comes at a time when natural and man-made risks to agriculture have reinforced the critical need to secure all the world’s food crop varieties.
The seeds arriving for safekeeping in the depths of an Arctic Mountain on Norway’s remote Svalbard Archipelago included major deposits from genebanks maintained by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is the largest single contributor of seeds to the Seed Vault.
Among the shipments is a Peruvian desert lima bean variety on the verge of extinction that was rescued by the Colombia-based International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), as well as other lima beans and relatives that grow in very dry or high-altitude locations. In total, CIAT’s new shipments include 3,600 bean and forage samples collected from 94 countries, including Afghanistan, Nepal, Yemen, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
Thousands of other cereal and bean varieties are being deposited by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is depositing forage crops. In Arizona, a Navajo ceremony was held to bless seeds of rare desert legumes from the University of Arizona before they began their long journey to Svalbard.
The new accessions, which will be added to the more than 600,000 already stored at Svalbard, include Agricultural Research Service-US Department of Agriculture (USDA) donations of soybeans collected by USDA researchers in China in the 1920s.
The USDA’s shipment also includes seed collections of Solanum chilense and Solanum galapagense, wild relatives of the tomato whose genetic material was used by breeders at USDA and the University of California, Davis, to create tomatoes high in lycopene (an antioxidant) and beta-carotene (a source of Vitamin A). Other US shipments included seeds for important disease-resistant varieties of spinach, maize and cantaloupe.
“The optimism generated by the arrival of this incredible bumper crop of contributions is tempered by the threats that seem to emerge almost daily to seed collections around the world,” said Cary Fowler, Executive Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which manages the Seed Vault in partnership with the Norwegian government and the Nordic Genetic Resources Center in Sweden. “As the threats to agriculture escalate, the importance of crop diversity grows.”
A vivid example of some of the threats facing genebanks is when unrest in Egypt led to the looting of the Egyptian Desert Gene Bank in North Sinai. At the Desert Gene Bank, home to a prized collection of fruit and medicinal plants, looters stole equipment, destroyed the facility’s cooling system, and ruined data that represented more than a decade worth of research. Meanwhile, the Global Crop Diversity Trust continues to fight plans to bulldoze the field collections at Russia’s Pavlovsk Experimental Station, Europe’s most important collection of fruits and berries, to make way for a housing development.
The Norwegian vault’s third anniversary also brings reminders of natural threats to crop diversity and the food security it maintains.
Dr. Tony Gregson, a grain farmer from Victoria’s Wimmera region, which has been alternately baked and flooded recently, accompanied Australia’s first contribution to the seed vault, which has travelled further than any other seeds that have come to Svalbard.
Gregson, who sits on the board of the Crawford Fund, which supports international agriculture research, noted that virtually all Australian food crops come from outside the country. Coupled with the country’s recent bouts of extreme weather, this makes Australia’s farmers particularly sensitive to the importance of global crop diversity.
“Australian farmers have recently had to deal with both droughts and floods. This is not only terribly difficult for farming communities, but also affects food prices worldwide—harsh reminders of the need to find crop varieties that will help adapt to these changing conditions,” Gregson said.
While crop diversity is critical to adapting agriculture to climate change, it is also at risk of being lost due to rapid changes in climate and farm environments. For example, in February, the Trust announced a partnership with potato farmers in Peru to duplicate and deposit in the Seed Vault seeds from 1,500 varieties of potatoes still found in the Peruvian Andes, where some varieties are threatened by climate change. To keep pace with rapid changes in the global climate, the Global Crop Diversity Trust is also moving to collect wild relatives of domesticated drops. With the support of a US$50 million grant from the government of Norway, the Trust is participating in a global search to locate and conserve wild relatives of wheat, rice, bean, potato, barley, lentils, chickpea, and other essential food crops that could contain valuable genetic traits.
Cary Fowler commented, “As we celebrate the third anniversary of this remarkable Vault, it is thrilling to see yet another fantastically diverse shipment of seeds arrive. The scale of the challenges facing agriculture can be overwhelming, yet the knowledge that over 600,000 samples are now guaranteed to be safe and available to help farmers gives me great hope for our common future.”

Monday, February 21, 2011

Edible Schoolyard educates food council

Edible Schoolyard educates food council

Donna Cavato, the executive director of the Edible Schoolyard program of the Samuel J. Green Charter School in New Orleans, told the Louisiana Sustainable Local Food Policy Council that one way to get children interested in eating vegetables is through a hands-on approach.
Green Charter School hosted the council as it toured the school’s cooking classroom and school garden in early February.
“Our program has three components,” Cavato said. “Our gardening program is where the kids literally dig into the soil and learn how to grow their own food.
Cavato explained that the school’s educational concept illustrates how children learn by doing and can develop an ability to make wise nutrition choices.
“When the children grow a carrot or Brussels sprouts and cook together in the kitchen, they’re eager to try it,” Cavato said. “We have a teaching kitchen where the kids learn how to prepare and enjoy the food they grow as a community at the table”
Cavato was quick to say the program does not automatically result in children who will clear their plate of all vegetables.
“Do all of our kids love vegetables? No, not yet, but they eat all of their fruit and most of their vegetables. It’s a process that you can’t lose sight of.”
Cavato said the Edible Schoolyard program is a component of the teaching philosophy of Firstline Schools, a charter school system that is managing the Green School, Arthur Ashe Charter School, John Dibert Community School and Langston Hughes Academy. Firstline will add a high school to their lineup next year.
Cavato said Green School was flooded by Hurricane Katrina but the Edible Schoolyard program helped bring the neighborhood back.
“The Samuel Green story is the story of rebuilding our school and community through food and the Edible Schoolyard,” Cavato said.
The food policy council met in New Orleans on Feb. 2 at the Tulane Tidewater Building and heard from four parish public school food service representatives and Bill Ludwig, the southwest regional director of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service in Dallas.
Natalie Jayroe of the New Orleans food bank system and David Coffman of Hunger Free Louisiana also spoke at the morning session.
The Louisiana Sustainable Local Food Policy Council is comprised of state agricultural and institutional food stakeholders and is studying ways a sustainable local food policy can be applied to school lunch systems, government assistance programs and Louisiana agriculture.
Ludwig’s goal for school lunch and breakfast programs is lofty.
“My objective is to end hunger in all five states of my region (Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico),” Ludwig said. “When I look at the numbers for Louisiana and see the poverty rate is 17.3 percent and the number of households that are food insecure at 10 percent and that 65 percent of all the schoolchildren in Louisiana are participating in the national school lunch program, I know there is a lot more we can do for these programs.”
Ludwig said less than 50 percent of the children that participate in the lunch program are participating in the breakfast program. He speculated that the busing system and parents have difficulty getting children to school early enough to participate in the breakfast program.
“Hungry children can’t learn and they have disciplinary problems,” Ludwig said. “If you want to do something, help us get those participation rates in the national breakfast program up.”
John Dupre from the Louisiana Department of Education told the panel his department oversees the 140 food service organizations in Louisiana that plan school lunches for public, diocesan and private schools and other institutional groups.
Within the 140 food service groups, more than 1,600 facilities plan and serve 100 million lunches and 40 million breakfasts on an annual basis.
That’s a lot of food and the suppliers must be consistent, reliable and affordable, Dupre said.
The USDA reimburses school systems but also sets the criteria for what constitutes a reimbursable meal. Last year, Louisiana received $250 million from the USDA for its school lunch and breakfast program.
“There are avenues for the Louisiana food grower and the parish food service director to bring in more local foods,” Dupre said. “But it takes planning and both groups need to be invested in the process.”
The council also heard from food service representatives from Ouachita, Lafayette, St. Martin and Jefferson Parish school systems.
Cecilia Enault of Jefferson Parish said her goal was to make the school lunch program better than the one she had as a child.
“Our school system, like many others in the state, is struggling to balance its budget,” Enault said. “We have served Louisiana Gulf shrimp in an okra and shrimp gumbo with Crowley rice and satsumas and strawberries and we prepare those types of familiar foods, but we don’t always have the opportunity to say where these foods are going to come from because of bid requirements.”
Sylvia Dunn of St. Tammany Parish said her schools have achieved the USDA Gold Standard of Distinction.
“On our food bars we have fresh strawberries and watermelon,” Dunn said. “We’d like for those to be Louisiana strawberries and watermelons but we do get those items from California sometimes.”
Dunn also said the best way to teach students how to make wise choices when selecting their food is to offer fresh fruits when they begin kindergarten.
“The children who were eating fresh fruit when they were in kindergarten still want fresh fruit when they are in the ninth grade,” Dunn said.
Because there were so many diverse views presented on how to bring more local food into the school lunch system, State Representative Scott Simon, the chairman of the advisory group, called for the creation of a subcommittee to study the various practices employed by each program in the state.
Simon, of Abita Springs, established the Louisiana Sustainable Local Food Policy Council within the LDAF, during the 2009 legislative session.
Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain will review the findings and present its recommendations to the legislature sometime in 2012.
“The council is identifying opportunities to build a sustainable local food economy,” Strain said. "I believe that a strong local food economy will help stimulate job creation, economic development, preserve open spaces and increase consumer access to fresh, locally grown food.”
“One of the council's goals is to create partnerships throughout the Louisiana food system and open doors for as many of our agricultural producers as possible,” Simon said.

Doha Round can help lift Africa’s agriculture — Lamy

http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl188_e.htm


Doha Round can help lift Africa’s agriculture — Lamy

Director-General Pascal Lamy, in opening the conference on “Harnessing Agriculture for Development through Trade” sponsored by CUTS in Geneva on 21 February 2011, said that “the Doha Round will help level the playing field for Africa, correcting historical injustices in the world trade rule-book”. He also said that “African agriculture needs to become more efficient, and in that efficiency it needs to discover ‘specialization’”. This is what he said:


Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to be here with you today. When CUTS invited me to deliver the opening address for the launch of its latest publication on agriculture in Africa, my first instinct was a cautious one. I need to see that publication first, I said. And when I read it, I can assure you, there was no way I was going to decline.

The publication responds to a question that I had put my own staff to research almost as soon as I took up my post at the World Trade Organization: why has Africa become a net-food importer, I asked. What explains this situation? Africa, as you know, became a net-food importer in the 1980s, when the prices of its key commodity exports tumbled and its agriculture slowed down. Its food trade deficit is now in the ballpark of USD 20 billion. The publication that we collectively launch today goes a long way towards answering a question that has long been on my mind. I personally congratulate the authors.

Prior to commenting on the specifics of the publication, and offering my thoughts on African agriculture more generally, I'd like to start by framing the discussion. While it is indeed interesting, if not vital, to understand how Africa moved from being a net-food exporter, to being a net-importer, the goal of this discussion should not be how to bring Africa back to export supremacy. Rather, the goal should be to see how African agriculture can become more efficient and competitive. Efficiency and self-sufficiency are two different concepts.

To explain, a country can have a perfectly efficient and competitive agricultural system but still be an important importer of food, or even a “net-importer.” These issues are not tied. Europe, for example, exports 9% of the world's food, and imports 12%. The United States exports 10% and imports 8%. Being a food export power-house does not preclude being a major importer too.

Students of economics are taught this concept in an amusing way. Take Einstein and his Assistant is what professors often say. Einstein is so incredibly smart, he can do everything better than his Assistant (or, in fact, better than most of us I would say!), all the way from creating science to processing documents. But while Einstein can indeed do everything better, it makes no sense for him to live without an Assistant. It makes no sense for him to become self-sufficient. Why is that? Because while he is able to create 20 times more science than his Assistant per minute, he only outpaces the Assistant by 10 in the processing of documents. The world benefits far more, therefore, when all his time is dedicated to what he is so much better at doing, which is science, than to having him write, type and edit his own letters too!

The same for Africa. African agriculture needs to become more efficient, and in that efficiency it needs to discover “specialization.” It would make no sense for Africa to produce everything for itself, just as it makes no sense for Einstein to process documents too.

I would add another point to the “framing” of the discussion before going to the publication. African agricultural exports, as a fraction of Africa's total merchandise exports, have also fallen sharply over the years. From 1960 to today, that share fell from 42% to 6%. But I would also caution on how we assess this statistic. This, in and of itself, is not a bad sign. In fact, it simply mirrors what has happened at the global level. In 1960, agriculture was about 50% of world trade, and today is only about 6%. All this says is that the world, as well as Africa, have industrialized.

Turning now to the publication, I would say that, through its five country case-studies, it gives us a wealth of information to work with. Amongst its principal findings are that African agriculture has been shackled by: (1) colonial patterns of trade that have locked Africa into commodity exports; and (2) macroeconomic and trade policies aimed at import-substitution and food self-sufficiency that have achieved the exact opposite of their goal. In taxing agriculture, and shielding it from international competition, these policies made African agriculture less competitive. In Africa, Einstein became, at once, the creator of science and the documents processor; producing much less science than before.

The publication documents incredible infrastructural bottlenecks in Africa, which for trade in perishables is a very serious problem. It also documents the limited regional food trade that exists in Africa, sometimes because of a lack of product complementarity, but sometimes also because of a simple lack of regional integration. And I have often heard it be said that it is a shame that a food-surplus country can sit, side-by-side, with a food-deficit country in Africa, and be unable to trade. Shortages to agricultural inputs are also a problem, many of which are imported. In fact, from first-hand experience, I know that animal vaccines and improved seeds in Africa are often considered a luxury.

The publication also puts an astonishing statistic on the table. It says, I quote, that “about 80% of trade in agricultural produce and food in the East African region is informal and not statistically recorded.” Clearly, these are all issues that are in need of our urgent attention.

Stagnant agriculture, combined with a population growth rate in the continent that is higher than the world average, is obviously leading to food insecurity. The publication tells us, for instance, that food prices in Kenya are amongst the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, as you all know, expenditure on food in Africa is a very high percentage of total expenditure, and much higher than in the OECD. In Gabon, it is about 50% of the total expenditure. Clearly, therefore, food security is also about food “affordability.” Greater competition and international trade helps brings down the price of food.

And I have often disagreed with the United Nations Rapporteur on the Right to Food, when he has said that (I quote) “the world needs to end its addiction to cheap food.” In many parts of the world, people pray that their food will become cheaper.

African agriculture has clearly gone through various phases. A phase of state-control and import substitution in the 1960s, in which Africa's food-deficit started building, followed by the Structural Adjustment era of the 1980s. This era was marked by the gradual privatization of state-owned farms, and the dismantling of marketing boards for key commodities. However, Africa's food-deficit has persisted. But what preoccupies me the most is that its agricultural productivity continues to languish.

The CUTS study sets out a very important menu of recommendations for our consideration. The need to increase agricultural productivity, to promote regional trade, to “facilitate” trade through better infrastructure, and the need to educate and build the capacities of farmers and traders. But the need to rapidly conclude the Doha Round of trade negotiations features too in this menu. It is referred to as a priority.

Contrary to what some have been saying about international trade somehow being responsible for the plight of African agriculture, this publication as well as several others demonstrate that import-substitution policies and lack of investment in agriculture have been the principal culprits.

In my view, here is how the Doha Round can make a modest contribution to helping lift Africa's agriculture. It will give least-developed countries duty-free, quota-free, access to export markets. It will deal with the colonial patterns of trade referred to in the study by reducing the phenomenon of tariff escalation. The high tariffs imposed on processed coffee and chocolate, relative to coffee and cocoa powder, for example. The Doha Round will also reduce the subsidies of the rich world that have made it difficult for Africa to compete on international markets, and flooded African markets with cheap imports. Yes the world needs cheaper food, but food that is produced under conditions of fair competition. In short, the Doha Round will help level the playing field for Africa, correcting historical injustices in the world trade rule-book.

Through Aid for Trade, it is also my hope that the WTO will help address some of the infrastructural bottlenecks that the CUTS study refers to. In an Aid for Trade success story, we have managed for example to better link Mali's mango exports to markets, through the introduction of refrigerated containers. We have managed in Lesotho to help farmers add value to mushrooms by exploring and exploiting their medicinal potential. But, clearly, there is much more for us to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, let greater efficiency be the aim. And I will certainly be apprising myself of your deliberations today. A final word of congratulations to Pradeep Mehta for his tireless efforts to shed more light, through CUTS, on what are complex debates.

It is my pleasure to be here with you today. When CUTS invited me to deliver the opening address for the launch of its latest publication on agriculture in Africa, my first instinct was a cautious one. I need to see that publication first, I said. And when I read it, I can assure you, there was no way I was going to decline.

The publication responds to a question that I had put my own staff to research almost as soon as I took up my post at the World Trade Organization: why has Africa become a net-food importer, I asked. What explains this situation? Africa, as you know, became a net-food importer in the 1980s, when the prices of its key commodity exports tumbled and its agriculture slowed down. Its food trade deficit is now in the ballpark of USD 20 billion. The publication that we collectively launch today goes a long way towards answering a question that has long been on my mind. I personally congratulate the authors.

Prior to commenting on the specifics of the publication, and offering my thoughts on African agriculture more generally, I'd like to start by framing the discussion. While it is indeed interesting, if not vital, to understand how Africa moved from being a net-food exporter, to being a net-importer, the goal of this discussion should not be how to bring Africa back to export supremacy. Rather, the goal should be to see how African agriculture can become more efficient and competitive. Efficiency and self-sufficiency are two different concepts.

To explain, a country can have a perfectly efficient and competitive agricultural system but still be an important importer of food, or even a “net-importer.” These issues are not tied. Europe, for example, exports 9% of the world's food, and imports 12%. The United States exports 10% and imports 8%. Being a food export power-house, does not preclude being a major importer too.

Students of economics are taught this concept in an amusing way. Take Einstein and his Assistant, is what professors often say. Einstein is so incredibly smart, he can do everything better than his Assistant (or, in fact, better than most of us I would say!), all the way from creating science to processing documents. But while Einstein can indeed do everything better, it makes no sense for him to live without an Assistant. It makes no sense for him to become self-sufficient. Why is that? Because while he is able to create 20 times more science than his Assistant per minute, he only outpaces the Assistant by 10, in the processing of documents. The world benefits far more, therefore, when all his time is dedicated to what he is so much better at doing, which is science, than to having him write, type and edit his own letters too!

The same for Africa. African agriculture needs to become more efficient, and in that efficiency it needs to discover “specialization.” It would make no sense for Africa to produce everything for itself, just as makes no sense for Einstein to process documents too.

I would add another point to the “framing” of the discussion, before going to the publication. African agricultural exports, as a fraction of Africa's total merchandise exports, have also fallen sharply over the years. From 1960 to today, that share fell from 42% to 6%. But I would also caution on how we assess this statistic. This, in and of itself, is not a bad sign. In fact, it simply mirrors what has happened at the global level. In 1960, agriculture was about 50% world trade, and today is only about 6%. All this says is that the world, as well as Africa, have industrialized.

Turning now to the publication, I would say that, through its 5 country case-studies, it gives us a wealth of information to work with. Amongst its principal findings are that African agriculture has been shackled by: (1) colonial patterns of trade, that have locked Africa into commodity exports; and (2) macroeconomic and trade policies aimed at import-substitution and food self-sufficiency, that have achieved the exact opposite of their goal. In taxing agriculture, and shielding it from international competition, these policies made African agriculture less competitive. In Africa, Einstein became, at once, the creator of science and the documents processor; producing much less science than before.

The publication documents incredible infrastructural bottlenecks in Africa, which for trade in perishables, is a very serious problem. It also documents the limited regional food trade that exists in Africa, sometimes because of a lack of product complementarity, but sometimes also because of a simple lack of regional integration. And I have often heard it be said that it is a shame that a food-surplus country can sit, side-by-side, with a food-deficit country in Africa, and be unable to trade. Shortages to agricultural inputs are also problem, many of which are imported. In fact, from first-hand experience, I know that animal vaccines and improved seeds in Africa, are often considered a luxury.

The publication also puts an astonishing statistic on the table. It says, I quote, that “about 80% of trade in agricultural produce and food in the East African region is informal and not statistically recorded.” Clearly, these are all issues that are in need of our urgent attention.

Stagnant agriculture, combined with a population growth rate in the continent that is higher than the world average, is obviously leading to food insecurity. The publication tells us, for instance, that food prices in Kenya are amongst the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, as you all know, expenditure on food in Africa is very high percentage of total expenditure, and much higher than in the OECD. In Gabon, it is about 50% of the total expenditure. Clearly, therefore, food security is also about food “affordability.” Greater competition and international trade, helps brings down the price of food.

And I have often disagreed with the United Nations Rapporteur on the Right to Food, when he has said that (I quote) “the world needs to end its addiction to cheap food.” In many parts of the world, people pray that their food will become cheaper.

African agriculture has clearly gone through various phases. A phase of state-control and import substitution in the 1960s, in which Africa's food-deficit started building, followed by the Structural Adjustment era of the 1980s. This era was marked by the gradual privatization of state-owned farms, and the dismantling of marketing boards for key commodities. However, Africa's food-deficit has persisted. But what preoccupies me the most, is that its agricultural productivity continues to languish.

The CUTS study sets out a very important menu of recommendations for our consideration. The need to increase agricultural productivity, to promote regional trade, to “facilitate” trade through better infrastructure, and the need to educate and build the capacities of farmers and traders. But the need to rapidly conclude the Doha Round of trade negotiations features too in this menu. It is referred to as a priority.

Contrary to what some have been saying about international trade somehow being responsible for the plight of African agriculture, this publication as well as several others, demonstrate that import-substitution policies and lack of investment in agriculture have been the principal culprits.

In my view, here is how the Doha Round can make a modest contribution to helping lift Africa's agriculture. It will give Least-Developed Countries duty-free, quota-free, access to export markets. It will deal with the colonial patterns of trade referred to in the study, by reducing the phenomenon of tariff escalation. The high tariffs imposed on processed coffee and chocolate, relative to coffee and cocoa powder, for example. The Doha Round will also reduce the subsidies of the rich world, that have made it difficult for Africa to compete on international markets, and flooded African markets with cheap imports. Yes the world needs cheaper food, but food that is produced under conditions of fair competition. In short, the Doha Round will help level the playing the field for Africa, correcting historical injustices in the world trade rule-book.

Through Aid-for-Trade, it is also my hope that the WTO will help address some of the infrastructural bottlenecks that the CUTS study refers to. In an Aid-for-Trade success story, we have managed for example to better link Mali's mango exports to markets, through the introduction of refrigerated containers. We have managed in Lesotho, to help farmers add value to mushrooms by exploring and exploiting their medicinal potential. But, clearly, there is much more for us to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, let greater efficiency be the aim. And I will certainly be apprising myself of your deliberations today. A final word of congratulations to Pradeep Mehta for his tireless efforts to shed more light, through CUTS, on what are complex debates.

Friday, February 18, 2011

USDA Introduces Online Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2011- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the debut of an online mapping tool that captures a broad range of demographic, economic, and agricultural data on rural areas across the United States. The Atlas of Rural and Small-town America, developed by USDA’s Economic Research Service, provides county-level mapping of over 60 statistical indicators depicting conditions and trends across different types of nonmetro regions.
“The new Atlas will complement USDA’s efforts in promoting rural development and well-being by helping policy makers pinpoint the needs of particular regions, recognize their diversity, and build on their assets,” said Vilsack. “The Atlas is part of a broad USDA initiative to make relevant data easily accessible to the public, including researchers, journalists, public officials, and other professionals.”
Nearly 50 million people -- 17 percent of the U.S. population -- live in nonmetropolitan (nonmetro) America, covering approximately 2,000 counties. Economic and social challenges facing rural areas and small towns differ greatly from those affecting larger U.S. cities, and vary substantially from one nonmetro county to the next.
The Atlas allows users to geographically compare selected states or regions using data on population, age structure, race and ethnicity, income, employment, agricultural well-being, and other measures. Regional planners in the rural Southwest, for example, could compare population trends in their area with counties or states in the Midwest. Maps can be filtered to show only counties of a certain type, such as those with high levels of manufacturing or with persistent poverty. For example, this option could be used to show high unemployment in manufacturing-dependent counties.
This web-based product assembles the latest county-level statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, USDA, and other Federal sources. Of particular note, the Atlas incorporates data from the first full set of county-level data in the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Data from the various agencies are combined in four broad categories that users can select:
• People—county demographic profiles, including age, race/ethnicity, education, family composition, population change, migration, and immigration.
• Jobs—conditions and trends affecting the labor force, such as employment change, unemployment, industry, and occupational structure.
• Agriculture—indicators of farm structure and the well-being of farm households, including farm size, income, sales, and tenure.
• County typologies—ERS county classifications based on the rural-urban continuum, economic structure, and other key locational features, such as, landscape amenities, occupation types, persistent poverty, or population loss status.
Users can click on a county and view a pop-up box showing data on all the indicators in each of these four categories. In addition, users can view an indicator (e.g., employment data) for the entire country, or can zoom into specific regions, states, or sub-state areas, and pan across the U.S. at different scales on the map. Maps can be downloaded for use in documents and presentations, and data are accessible via downloadable spreadsheets.
The Rural Atlas is visually and functionally similar to another product developed by the Economic Research Service – the Food Environment Atlas – which maps U.S. counties by factors that reflect a communities’ access to affordable, healthy food. That web-based tool has attracted considerable attention from the media and among professionals concerned with diet and public health.
The Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America is available online at http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Ag Committee Examines Economic Trends & Highlights Regulatory Burdens on Producers

Ag Committee Examines Economic Trends & Highlights Regulatory Burdens on Producers
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing to review the state of the farm economy. Members of the committee heard testimony from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and questioned him on a variety of topics including the many regulatory burdens affecting the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers. The committee also discussed economic trends in prices, input costs, and farm output.
"The agriculture economy is highly cyclical and it changes like the weather in western Oklahoma: fast, sharp, and without notice. This reality helps explain why the mood in farm country today is both upbeat and apprehensive. This fact, along with experience, offer a cautionary note to anyone who might be tempted to cite current economic conditions on the farm as the basis for setting long term farm policies," said Chairman Frank Lucas.
"The farm economy is good, and has been solid through the past few years. This is due, in part I believe, to the farm bill that we passed in 2008. I look forward to working together to provide farmers with five more years of certainty by passing another strong farm bill in 2012 and today’s hearing was a good place to start," said Ranking Member Collin Peterson.

Chairwoman Stabenow: American Agriculture Supports 16 Million Jobs

Chairwoman Stabenow: American Agriculture Supports 16 Million Jobs
Senate Agriculture Committee Convenes First Hearing of New Congress
on Growth of Agriculture Economy, USDA Secretary Vilsack Testifies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, said today that American agriculture is supporting 16 million jobs and is one of few industries leading the economic recovery. Stabenow made the comments at the Committee’s first hearing of the 112th Congress, where Members and witnesses examined agriculture’s effect on the U.S. economy.

“Rarely have we seen a more positive outlook for the agricultural economy as a whole,” Stabenow said. “This should come as no surprise to any of us: American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most nutritious and most sustainable agricultural products in the world. In fact, one of the biggest success stories in our nation’s economy is the strength of our farm exports. For the second year in a row, agricultural exports are projected to be over $100 billion … Our agricultural exports will support over one million jobs this year alone -- and these jobs are not just on the farm but in towns and cities all across the country.”

Stabenow pointed to her state of Michigan, where agriculture is the second-largest industry, as an example of a state poised to continue strengthening an already robust sector. “Agriculture represents more than $70 billion for our economy each year, and represents one out of every four jobs in my state,” she said.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack continued underscoring the strength of the farm economy in 2011, pointing to record-breaking growth in exports, farm cash receipts and farm income as key drivers.

“Cash receipts for producers are forecast at a record $341 billion in 2011, up $28 billion from 2010 and $57 billion from 2009 … After adjusting for inflation, five of the highest income years since 1976 have occurred during 2004-11,” he said. “As we enter 2011, the U.S. farm economy is coming off unprecedented increases in U.S. agricultural exports, farm cash receipts, farm income, and asset values the past few years.”

Keith Creagh, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, provided a snapshot the agriculture economy from a state perspective, highlighting agriculture’s role as a jobs creator and also identifying new opportunities for investment and growth.

“Michigan’s agri-food industry is a robust and high tech industry that will undoubtedly serve as one of Michigan’s, and the nation’s, foundations to our long term, sustainable economic recovery,” Creagh said. “At a time when 850,000 jobs were lost in Michigan, our agricultural economy experienced a decade of growth. It expanded at a rate of more than five times faster than the rate of the general economy between 2006 and 2007. Further, since 2007, we have seen a 27 percent increase, making agriculture a cornerstone in diversifying Michigan’s economic future. As a result of our diverse soils, crops, fresh water, and climate we are well-positioned to continue this growth and expansion at all levels of production. Currently, we produce over 200 commodities on a commercial basis; and lead the nation in 18 of these.”

Creagh further highlighted the role that rural development will play in building on the momentum of growth in Michigan’s agriculture sector, citing rural investments as key creators of jobs.

“Adequate infrastructure including roads, rail, waste water treatment and high speed communication must be part of any comprehensive strategy,” he said. “Just as rural electrification was crucial to the advancement of food production in the 20th Century, access to high speed internet is vital to the productive capacity of today’s rural community. Michigan is fortunate to export almost one-third of its agricultural production, generating more than $1.55 billion annually, and employing more than 12,000 workers.”

Additional witnesses included Mr. Fred Yoder, a farmer from Plain City, Ohio and former president of the National Corn Growers Association; Dr. Joe Outlaw, an economist with Texas A&M; and Mr. Thomas M. Hoenig, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Subcommittees Seek to Reduce Looming Regulatory Burdens

Subcommittees Seek to Reduce Looming Regulatory Burdens
on Agriculture, State Agencies & Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture and Rep. Bob Gibbs, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a joint public hearing to consider reducing the regulatory burdens posed by the case National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009) and to review related draft legislation.
Under the court ruling, pesticide users, which include farmers, ranchers, forest managers, state agencies, city and county municipalities, mosquito control districts, and water districts, among others would have to obtain a duplicative permit under the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the use of pesticides. Pesticide applications are highly regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The order of the court goes into effect on April 9, 2011. At which time, pesticide applications not covered by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit are subject to a fine of up to $37,500 per day per violation. In addition to the costs of compliance, pesticide users will be subject to an increased risk of litigation under the citizen suit provision of the CWA.
During the hearing, Members of the Subcommittees also considered draft legislation targeted at addressing the 6th Circuit Court ruling and eliminating the costly and duplicative permitting requirement.
"Having exhausted all judicial review options and without Congressional action, this order will impose a burden on the EPA, state regulatory agencies, and pesticide applicators, which will cost our economy dearly in terms of jobs. It also severely threatens the already critical budget situation facing government at all levels. It is particularly unfortunate that this court order imposes a new requirement that will imperil our water resource boards, our mosquito control boards, and our forestry and agricultural sectors, yet provides no additional environmental or public health protection." said Chairman Jean Schmidt (R-OH).
"This new Clean Water Act permit for covered pesticides stands to be the single greatest expansion of the permitting process in the history of the Clean Water Act program. EPA has said it can expect approximately 5.6 million covered pesticide applications per year by approximately 365,000 applicators – virtually doubling the number of entities currently subject to Clean Water Act permitting," said Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH). "Requiring a permit under the Clean Water Act in addition to an approval under FIFRA adds delays, costs, and other burdens on both the regulatory agencies who have to issue the permits and those who need to get a permit, without increasing environmental protection. It also could result in significant environmental and human health impacts by hampering the ability to respond to disease and pest outbreaks."
"Today's hearing provided an excellent opportunity for us to better understand the potentially harmful consequences of the National Cotton Council v. EPA decision for state regulating agencies, agricultural producers, mosquito control districts, and small businesses across the nation. I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues to find a responsible legislative solution that ensures FIFRA remains the standard for pesticide regulation, and continues to protect the health and safety of our families and communities,"
said Ranking Member Joe Baca (D-CA).
Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available below and can be found on the Committee's website by clicking here.
Witness List:
Panel I
Dr. Steven Bradbury, Director, Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Panel II
The Honorable John Salazar, Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture, on behalf of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Lakewood, Colorado
Dr. Andrew Fisk, Bureau Director, Land and Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, on behalf of Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, Augusta, Maine
Mr. Dominick V. Ninivaggi, Superintendent, Division of Vector Control, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, on behalf of the American Mosquito Control Association, Yaphank, New York
Accompanied by Mr. David Brown, Manager, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, Elk Grove, California
Mr. Norm Semanko, Executive Director, Idaho Water Users Association, on behalf of National Water Resources Association, Boise, Idaho

Marked increase in trade visitors at FRESHCONEX 2011 - Feb 14

Final Report






11,000 trade visitors focus on fresh produce convenience market





Berlin, 14 February 2011 – The fourth edition of FRESHCONEX attracted a significantly higher number of trade visitors. From 9 to 11 February 2011, more than 11,000 industry experts from all continents (2010: 7,000) obtained a concentrated market overview of products and services offered by 100 exhibitors from 18 countries. This represents a 57% increase in trade visitors. Europe's only trade fair for trend products from the fresh produce convenience segment was distinguished by the international scope of the trade visitors and the presence of top-level decision-makers. The FRESHCONEX Business Forum, an integral part of the three-day trade fair, presented information on the latest trends in fresh convenience products. The Business Forum is organised by Fresh Convenience Magazine (GB) and the United Fresh Produce Association (USA). FRESHCONEX 2011 was held at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds in conjunction with FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011, the leading trade fair for the international fresh produce business.



Exhibitors highly satisfied with achievement of trade fair objectives



Most FRESHCONEX exhibitors participated in the trade fair to meet new customers, present their companies and build their image, strengthen existing customer relations and present information to an audience of trade specialists. Nearly all exhibitors reported that they were very satisfied with their achievement of these objectives. More than 84% reported positive results from their participation at the trade fair. Although the main focus of the trade event is not on business transactions, around 40% of FRESHCONEX exhibitors managed to achieve new orders. More than 82% of the exhibitors said they expected very good or at least satisfactory post-trade fair business. An equal number said they would recommend FRESHCONEX to colleagues or business associates. 85% of exhibitors said they planned to be back for FRESHCONEX 2012.



Positive business results for 95% of trade visitors



More than 82% of FRESHCONEX trade visitors came from outside Germany. Most were from EU countries (75%), primarily Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. 5% travelled to Berlin from other European countries, 8% from the Americas, 6% from Africa, 5% from Asia and 1% from Australia and Oceania. Some 76% of the trade visitors at FRESHCONEX hold senior positions in their companies as managing directors, authorised officers or department heads. 73% said they have a significant influence on purchasing or procurement decisions within their organisations.



Trade visitors from the fresh convenience food industry identified themselves as wholesalers or retailers, representatives from the import/export trade, and fruit and vegetable growers. Most of the trade visitors to FRESHCONEX were there to establish contacts or meet new suppliers, find out about new products, monitor the market and keep an eye on competitors. Their main focus was on fresh convenience products and processing technologies, food quality and safety, and specialised product packaging.



89% of trade visitors assessed the range of products offered at FRESHCONEX 2011 as very good or good; 10% considered it satisfactory. 73% managed to establish new business contacts. The vast majority (95%) of trade visitors gave a positive assessment for their business results at the trade fair. One-third of the trade visitors reported concluding business transactions during the trade fair. 65% of trade visitors anticipate further negotiations and business transactions to follow as a result of the contacts made at the fair. 92% said they would recommend FRESHCONEX to their colleagues or business associates.



Statements from FRESHCONEX 2011 exhibitors



Christèle Demeunynck, Sales Manager, Cellpack Packaging: “Our trade fair debut at FRESHCONEX was a big success. We were able to meet nearly all of our customers from the Americas and Africa here. This really helps us save a lot on travel expenses.”



Herman Schepers, Managing Director, Deliva: “FRESHCONEX gives us the opportunity to meet all four of our key customer groups at one location: the food service industry, B2B, B2C, and the food retail industry. This is the ideal place to strengthen existing contacts and develop new sales markets, particularly on an international level.”



Pavel Stobba, Sales Manager, Fructofresh: “We don’t have to travel far to reach FRESHCONEX from Poland, and we are able to meet our most important customers from the high-end restaurant sector. Our premium fruit salads and mixed fruit are also bringing us increased attention from food retailers. This makes an attendance at FRESHCONEX an absolute must very year.”



Koos Ruijgrok, European Sales Manager, HiFi Industrial Film: “This was our first time at FRESHCONEX and we are surprised at the number and quality of new business contacts. We managed to meet with key representatives from the fruit and vegetable packaging industry here.”



Scott Woolfert, Managing Director, Sealed Air: “It’s our first time at FRESHCONEX, and we are delighted by the discussions with representatives from the fresh produce packaging industry. In our opinion, no other trade fair offers such a concentrated focus on this market.”



Next date: 8-10 February 2012



FRESHCONEX 2011 was organised by Messe Berlin GmbH in cooperation with Fresh Convenience Magazine (London). The next edition of FRESHCONEX will take place in conjunction with FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds on 8-10 February 2012.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Gac fruit and mini-mango from Thailand

Gac fruit and mini-mango from Thailand

Gac fruit, little known in Europe but widely popular in Southeast Asia, is being exhibited at FRUIT LOGISTICA by Soonthorn Sritawee at his Blue River company stand, and has attracted a lot of interest among trade fair visitors. The prickly fruit, which is red when ripe, contains ten times more carotene than a carrot and seventy times more of the antioxidant lycopin as a tomato. While the market opportunities for this product are still being tested in Europe, mini-mangos, which are eaten like a plum, are already being supplied to Europe. According Sritawee, the lychee-like longon fruit, which can be used in sweet-and-sour dishes as well as for compote, may be less suitable for the European market due to their very sweet flavour. (Hall 5.2, Stand B-02. Contact: Soonthorn Sritawee, tel.: +66 81 8800143, e-mail: soonthornsri@yahoo.com)

Hall Forum on Sustainability: Scrutinising every link in the chain

Hall Forum on Sustainability: Scrutinising every link in the chain

Everyone is talking about sustainability. But what does this mean for players at different levels of the fresh produce industry? The Hall Forum "Sustainability – value for the long term", moderated by Kaasten Reh (Fruchthandel Magazine, Dusseldorf) and attended by a large audience, sought to answer these questions. Introductory presentations were held by Theo de Groot, Managing Director, M.P.S. Sustainable Quality; Ben Horsbrugh, Quality Assurance, The Univeg Deutschland Group, and Dr. Ludger Breloh from the Rewe Group. Sustainability, said de Groot, could be defined quite simply as a balance between human beings, the planet and profit. He called for this endeavour to be presented transparently to everyone involved. Horsbrugh concentrated mainly on the development of a corporate strategy to address sustainability. He said that it was important to analyse the situation precisely, to formulate realistic objectives and key tasks, and to create a solid database for all of this. For example, aspects including healthy nutrition, social responsibility, energy efficiency, water and wastewater management all had to be thoroughly examined. Breloh showed how a commercial enterprise could take up the challenge of sustainability using his own company and its "Pro Planet" project as an example. He said that the main factor is a precise analysis of the key problems.

Japan: Sungreen adds to colourful tomato cocktail

Japan: Sungreen adds to colourful tomato cocktail

Three years ago the Japanese company Tokita Seed took third place in the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award competition with its heart-shaped Tomatoberry. The company is now presenting Sungreen, a new, green version of the tasty cherry tomato that will be on the market by the end of the year. By combining the seven different-coloured varieties ranging from lemon-yellow to chocolate-brown, Tokita Seed has created an innovative, tasty and attractive tomato cocktail. (Hall 1.2, Stand C-09. Contact: Ike Tokita, tel. +81 48 6867235, e-mail: ike@tokitaseed.co.jp)

Koppert Biologicals presents the latest in biological crop protection

Koppert Biologicals presents the latest in biological crop protection

How can plant pests be combatted effectively and without damage to the plant? With beneficial organisms. The spider mite doesn't stand a chance against the Amblyseius swirskii mite. The latest member of the Koppert Biological Systems family is the 'Delphibug' Delphastus catalinae, says communications officer Yvette de Schepper at FRUIT LOGISTICA. This predatory beetle feasts on whitefly eggs and larvae typically found on gerberas, roses, cucumbers and aubergines. The soil-dwelling predatory mite Macrocheles robustulus is a real glutton. Along with thrips pupae, items on this mite's menu include fungus gnats, bean seed flies, pot-worms and young caterpillars. (Hall 1.2, E-06. Contact: Yvette de Schepper, tel. +31(0)10/5140444, e-mail: ydschepper@koppert.nl)

Fruit Logistica Innovation of the Year Innovation of the year: Australian citrus caviar

Innovation of the year: Australian citrus caviar

The winner of the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA) 2011 was chosen by the international industry experts. This year's award was presented for the citrus fruit Limeburst Fingerlimes (Finger Limeing Good, Australia). The finger lime is unique in that its juice is contained in vesicles similar to caviar. They burst when chewed and release a tangy lime flavour. The "citrus caviar" is also very attractive visually and is used as a decorative ingredient in food preparation. Chefs have been quick to recognise the fruit's potential. Finger limes are a wonderful complement to complex and simple dishes alike. They are available in four varieties: Limeburst Green, Limeburst Burgundy, Limeburst Pink und Limeburst Black. The colour of the citrus caviar is variety-dependant and may be bright green, deep red, pink or opaque. Introduced to the market in spring 2010, the fruit weighs 25-30 g. Following the awards ceremony Limeburst Australia Director James Boyd said, "It has taken 15 years to develop the product to this level of sophistication. The Innovation Award will help our business to gain further ground in the market".

This year's runners-up included herbs and vegetables from the Jamie Oliver "Grow Your Own" range (Gasa Group, Denmark) and the Almond Mushroom (Prime Champ, Netherlands), a variety with a distinctive nutty flavour.

Fruit Logistica briefs - Feb. 11

Boema: Potatoes not just peeled, but also surface-treated

Italian machine-manufacturer Boema supplies technical solutions for every step of the production chain, from initial fruit and vegetable processing, to the production of jellies and jams. The company's presence at FRESHCONEX focused on the latest generation of potato peelers. These machines offer not only standard programs for washing, peeling and cutting potatoes, but also an innovative ozone treatment procedure. According to the company, potatoes treated with ozone have a much longer shelf life. (Hall 7.2A, Stand B-09, Contact: Marco Cortese, tel. +39-173678711, e-mail: boema@boema.com)

Cellpack: Intelligent packaging solutions

With production sites in France, Switzerland and Germany, Cellpack Packaging specialises in packaging concepts designed to meet the highest standards in terms of food safety, freshness and presentation. FRESHCONEX is where the innovative company is showcasing intelligent solutions for all phases of fresh fruit and vegetable processing. Sales Manager Christèle Demeunynck is excited about the company's success at the trade fair: "We were able to meet with our customers from America and Africa here. This saves us a huge amount on travel." (Hall 7.2B, Stand B-02. Contact: Christèle Demeunynck, tel. +33-3-89255100, e-mail: christele.demeunynck@cfs.fr)

Highest quality food for hospitals, schools and retirement homes

Focusing on commercial caterers, restaurants and the food processing industry, Belgium-based food specialist Deliva supplies a wide variety of products ranging from high-quality ingredients, to complete menus. "We supply commercial kitchens that prepare food for retirement homes, hospitals and schools. So we need to meet the highest quality standards", said Managing Director Herman Schepers at FRESHCONEX. The company prepares food at two sites covering a total area of more than 8000 square metres in the town of Genk. New product ideas in the pipeline include a line of top-quality baby food produced from purely organic raw materials. (Hall 7.2C, Stand B-05. Contact: Herman Schepers, tel. +32-89629300, e-mail: herman.schepers@deliva.be)



HiFi: Premium films for premium trays

"What good are premium-quality PET trays for fresh fruit and salads if the film cover rips or becomes foggy?" asks Koos Ruijgrok, Sales Manager for the Dutch company HiFi Industrial Film. As a specialised manufacturer of polyester films, HiFi guarantees that all its products are easy to peel off with an integrated seal and anti-condensation concept. Exhibiting at FRESHCONEX for the first time, the company managed to establish an unexpectedly large number of international business contacts. (Hall 7.2A, Stand A-03. Contact: Koos Ruijgrok, tel. +31-229-272282, e-mail: hifi.nl@tiscali.nl)

Hoogesteger bottles pure fruit

Juice that's just like home-squeezed. The Netherlands-based Hoogesteger company has been producing fresh-squeezed pressed juices from the best seasonal fruit since 1988. Without pasteurisation, preservatives, concentrate, artificial flavour enhancers, aromas or colouring. All fruit is peeled beforehand and carefully inspected prior to squeezing. The juice is then bottled according to strict hygiene and quality standards. Product shelf life is eight days if kept at below 7° Celsius. This is quality you can taste and, according to Hoogesteger, has made the company the premium segment market leader in the Benelux countries. "Our growth potential on this market has reached its limit. That's why we're at FRESHCONEX to explore new markets for our juices and smoothies," says Sales Manager Albert de Vries commenting on Hoogesteger's debut appearance at the trade fair. (Hall 7.2C, Stand B-07. Contact: Albert de Vries, tel. +31-20-4073000, E-Mail: albert.devries@hoogesteger.nl)

The fastest way to peel a pineapple

The staff working at the FRESHCONEX exhibition stand sponsored by Canadian company ISA Automation impressively demonstrated how quickly and efficiently a pineapple can be peeled and cut into appetising pieces with a manually-operated machine. The two pineapple peelers on display are designed for food retailers who want to include fresh-cut pineapple in their fruit and vegetable sections. (Hall 7.2C, Stand B-10. Contact: Stephen Albanese, tel. +1-9057380775, e-mail: salbanese@isaautomation.com)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

USDA Uncovers Plot to Import Fake Chinese Organic Food

USDA Uncovers Plot to Import Fake Chinese Organic Food

Watchdog: Chinese Import Moratorium Needed to Protect Consumers/Farmers



Cornucopia, WI—After years of ringing the alarm bell about fraudulent Chinese organic production, the nation's preeminent organic farming watchdog, The Cornucopia Institute, applauded the federal government's current approach to enforcement and its transparency. On February 11, The Department of Agriculture (USDA) publicly released evidence of attempted fraud by a Chinese organic agricultural marketer.



The full news release can be viewed at: http://www.cornucopia.org/2011/02/usda-uncovers-plot-to-import-fake-chinese-organic-food/



The agency's National Organic Program (NOP) made public a fraudulent organic certificate produced by an uncertified supplier in China. The Chinese firm used the counterfeit certificate to represent non-organic crops, including soybeans, millet and buckwheat, as certified organic.



Ecocert, a French USDA accredited certifying agent whose name was illegally used on the fraudulent document, brought this issue to the attention of NOP officials at USDA, which regulates and oversees the American organic market.



"By working closely with certifying agents, and sharing concerns like this with the wider organic community, the USDA’s National Organic Program is working as it was designed by Congress to protect ethical industry participants and the public," says Mark A, Kastel, Codirector of The Cornucopia Institute. "Unfortunately, this incident also serves as a stark reminder that imports from China are fraught with peril."



In its 2009 report on the organic soy industry, entitled Behind the Bean, The Cornucopia Institute raised concerns about organic soybeans imported from China. The recent finding by the USDA, spotlighting fraud by a Chinese supplier, confirms the suspicions documented by Cornucopia that imported organic products cannot always be trusted and that domestically sourced organic soybeans are more desirable.



In the 2009 report, the Wisconsin-based farm policy research group estimated that as much as half of organic soybeans used in the US came from overseas, primarily China.



“This incident illustrates why so many responsible processors and marketers in the organic industry shun organic imports,” states Charlotte Vallaeys, the Cornucopia report’s lead author.



After multiple incidents of food contamination, including melamine in pet food, many US corporations are now, justifiably, leery of putting their brand name on products containing Chinese ingredients, conventional and organic.



Cornucopia had, since the middle part of the last decade, been voicing concerns about imported products from China. It had blasted the USDA, during the Bush administration, for providing oversight of domestic organic certification programs while, for years, ignoring imports from China.



Cornucopia's report noted that imported soybeans are often shipped to the U.S. by corporations knowing nothing about the origin of the commodities over and above a single sheet of paper. The report stated: “It is all too easy to falsify these records, whether intentionally or unintentionally.” Today’s release by the USDA of a falsified organic certificate from China confirms these concerns.



Also in the report, Cornucopia raised a red flag over the lack of judicious organic oversight in China by the USDA. Cornucopia explained, based on documents it secured under the Freedom of Information Act, what happened when the USDA did finally sent auditors to China for the first time in 2007, a full five years after the federal organic standards took effect.



“This was the first time USDA staff members visited certifiers in China, Chinese processors, and Chinese farms to ensure that their procedures were in compliance with USDA organic standards,” stated Kastel. “It was an inexcusable delay, especially given the history of widespread Chinese fraud in international commerce and fraudulent marketing of organic food in their domestic market, which had been well documented in the Chinese media.”



In the entire country of China the USDA auditors only inspected two farms and two processors, finding serious violations at the time. No follow-up inspections were conducted to determine whether the noncompliances identified were aberrations or symptomatic of systemic problems.



Organic soybeans imported from China have become a prevalent source of animal feed used on industrial-scale organic livestock operations, especially in Western states. The reliance on imported organics has economically injured North American farmers, who are often unable to compete with the cheaper prices offered by Chinese firms.



In the current incident the NOP has not found evidence that any product was sold, labeled, or represented as organic using the fraudulent certificate. However, the full extent of the scandal is not known at this time.



"Although these violations may occur, the vigilance of the organic community will help abate them," said Miles McEvoy, NOP deputy administrator. "We are warning certifying agents and organic handlers to be on the lookout and to notify the NOP if anyone tries to sell organic products using fraudulent certificates."



The Cornucopia Institute has praised the current administration at the USDA, and McEvoy in particular, for its aggressive posture in relation to enforcing federal law and protecting the integrity of the organic industry.



“We call upon responsible industry players, farmers, feed mills, processors and retailers, to place an immediate moratorium on commodities imported from China,” stated the Cornucopia's Kastel. “Even if the authenticity of Chinese organics can be proven, shipping food around the world, and undercutting sustainable prices for domestic farmers, is not 'organic' in the eyes of many consumers.”



As a resource for consumers and wholesale buyers who wish to avoid organic products containing Chinese soybeans, The Cornucopia Institute developed a scorecard of organic soy food brands. The source of the soybeans is one of the main rating criteria used for the scorecard, with companies that exclusively source domestically-grown organic soybeans, from family-scale farms, rated more highly than those that rely on imported soybeans. The scorecard is available on the Cornucopia website, www.cornucopia.org.



“We identified the companies that have maintained positive relationships with domestic organic farmers and have thereby managed to maintain a steady and adequate supply of North American-grown organic soybeans. Staying true to the spirit of organics, these companies remained devoted to their farmers even when China offered organic soybeans at slightly lower prices,” states Vallaeys. “Given the recent finding by the USDA, the companies that kept buying North American soybeans, even when Chinese supplies were cheaper, can be proud of the organic integrity of their products.”

Friday, February 11, 2011

Parody - Produce Salesman

FRESHCONEX 2011 - Feb. 10 2011

10 February 2011

The latest media information from FRESHCONEX 2011 is provided free of charge on the Internet: (www.freshconex.com / Press Service/):

Agrolito supplies 25 varieties of winter lettuce
Spanish lettuce grower Agrolito has been providing the European food processing industry with first-class raw materials, from classics like endive and iceberg lettuce, to premium salad varieties like lollo rosso and red batavia or baby-leaf plants like spinach, arugula and oak leaf since 1998. "Our great strength lies in close cooperation with our customers as well as in our flexibility when it comes to regard to new varieties and demands," says Managing Director Francisco Galiàn of the secret behind his company's remarkable growth rates. To be even more independent of weather conditions and therefore have a greater certainty of fulfilling its orders, Agrolito has been cultivating additional land in Tunisia for the past six years. (Hall 7.2B, Stand B-01. Contact: Francisco Galián, tel. +34-968-587560, e-mail: info@agrolito.com)
Cryosalus Systems: Patented hibernation for fruit and vegetables
Thanks to a patented process developed in Greece, instead of deep-freezing, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables can now be placed in a form of suspended animation, appropriately dubbed Hibernation®. "With this technique, products not only retain their natural consistency, taste, aroma and colour. They also stay fresh for several months stored at a temperature of -18° Celsius," reports Alfredo Resano, Technical Director of Cryosalus Systems. The company has come to FRESHCONEX for the first time in the hope of finding processing-industry partners interested in using the new technique to bring fresh-cut fruit and vegetables to the consumer's table in harvest-fresh condition. (Hall 7.2C, Stand B-03a. Contact: Alfredo Resano, tel. +34-664412565, e-mail: alfredo@cryosalus.com)
Fructofresh: Fully prepared for food retailers
Speaking at FRESHCONEX, Pawel Stobba, Sales Manager of Fructofresh based in Poland, reported that his company invested heavily last year in optimising its manufacturing workflow. The fresh-cut fruit specialist hopes this strategy will pave the way for a sales offensive aimed at food retailers. "This is where the greatest flexibility is required," he said. Fructofresh has long enjoyed a good reputation for its meticulous processing and optimal packaging. The company's 120 employees cut all products by hand. From there it's not far to the two packaging lines where the fruit is apportioned into large packs and smaller single-serving cups. Key customers include high-end restaurants in the major sales markets France and Germany. (Hall 7.2B, Stand B-08. Contact: Pawel Stobba, tel. +48-683590202, e-mail: info@fructofresh.com)
Kellermann: Aiming the Big Shaker at the convenience market
It goes without saying that Swiss salad specialist Kellermann has brought a fresh new convenience idea to the FRESHCONEX. The Big Shaker contains everything you would expect from a healthy modern salad snack. The transparent container shows the consumer all the various mixed-salad components, including noodles or rice, be it a Tuscan or Californian, Mexican or Hawaiian salad. The see-through lid includes a folding fork and salad dressing in a small PET bottle making the entire product ready-to-eat. The Big Shaker is a healthy takeaway in standard Kellermann quality and is perfectly suited to any variety of snack. (Hall 7.2A, Stand A-07, Contact: Martin Kellermann, tel. +41-52-7250000, e-mail: info@kellermann.ch)
Sealed Air finds clever way to package strawberries
British company Sealed Air is celebrating its debut at FRESHCONEX with a brand new product range. The food packaging specialist has developed a varied collection of PET trays for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries – and is planning to take the European fruit market by storm. All trays can be thermo-sealed and optionally include a snap-on lid. The trays are available in a variety of colours and depths, with optional ventilation holes, dome-shaped lids and sections. Sealed Air operates a comprehensive sales network with outstanding customer support on-site. (Hall 7.2B, Stand B-07. Contact: Scott Woolfert, tel. +44-1202-666666)
Premiere at True Fruits: Healthy chips to fight fat
"Unhealthy chips end up on your waistline. Good ones come from True Fruits." This is the concept behind the latest product idea from innovative smoothie specialist True Fruits based in Bonn. The new products are freeze-dried strawberry, pineapple and apple fruit slices that are extremely crispy and packed with flavour. A perfect snack for trend-conscious urban consumers. True Fruits is showcasing its line of pure fruit products at FRESHCONEX for the first time. Along with the five different smoothies with an exotic twist that captured the market five years ago, the young company is now offering fresh-squeezed drinks in elegant bottles. And just like all True Fruits products, they are 100% natural, unpasteurised and free of concentrates, preservatives, added water, colours and stabilisers. Properly chilled, the drinks have a shelf life of seven days. A logistical stroke of genius makes it possible to supply the juices fresh throughout Germany. No wonder the company's motto is "100% fruit, no tricks". (Hall 7.2C, Stand B-02. Contact: Inga Koster, tel. +49-228-3873380, e-mail: koster@true-fruits.com

Thursday, February 10, 2011

FRESH & EASY BREAKS GROUND FOR ANOTHER STORE IN SOUTH LA

FRESH & EASY BREAKS GROUND FOR ANOTHER STORE IN SOUTH LA

Store Will Bring Affordable Fresh Food and Groceries to Jefferson & Crenshaw

SOUTH LOS ANGELES, CA – Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market today joined Bishop Charles E. Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilmember Herb Wesson, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, City Controller Wendy Greuel and the West Angeles Community Development Corporation (CDC) in breaking ground on a new commercial office and retail center on the corner of Crenshaw & Jefferson Boulevards.

The 45,000 square foot West Angeles Plaza was led by West Angeles CDC and is directly across from the North Campus of West Angeles Church on Crenshaw Boulevard. The project will feature a new Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, as well as a bank, and will bring fresh, wholesome food to the neighborhood.

“We want to continue to be part of the solution in providing greater food access and healthier food options to all types of communities,” said Fresh & Easy Vice President Mary Kasper, who spoke at today’s groundbreaking. “We’ve found everyone wants access to the same types of foods – fresh produce, quality meats and poultry, and family staples like eggs and milk – at prices they can afford, right where they live.”

Fresh & Easy recruits from the neighborhoods it serves and the Jefferson & Crenshaw store is expected to employ 20 to 30 people. Entry-level positions start at $10 an hour in California and offer quarterly bonuses of up to 10% as well as a 401(k) with company match. The company believes everyone deserves access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare and provides all employees the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, which entitles everyone to vision, prescription drug, dental and medical coverage with Fresh & Easy paying at least 75%.

One year ago this month, Fresh & Easy opened its first South Los Angeles store at Central & Adams as part of a mixed-use development that has already started to transform the neighborhood. A video about the first South LA opening is available on Fresh & Easy’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/talkingfresh#p/u/12/TuRi0aFkOhk.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

New FDA Materials on Sanitation Concerns with Commercial Deli Slicers

New FDA Materials on Sanitation Concerns with Commercial Deli Slicers
February 9, 2011
As part of an initiative to improve food safety practices in retail and foodservice establishments, FDA has developed a poster and flyer designed to raise awareness of sanitation concerns with commercial deli slicers commonly used to slice meats, cheeses and produce in food stores, delis, restaurants and other foodservice establishments:
• The poster, targeted to operators of food establishments and their front line food employees, is suitable for posting near deli slicers, and explains the importance of proper slicer maintenance and highlights examples of hard-to-clean problem areas on deli slicers.
• The flyer, targeted to food safety professionals, offers tips to ensure deli slicers are being properly cleaned and maintained and when slicers should be removed from service until repaired or replaced
If deli slicers are not properly cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, food soils and disease-causing microorganisms can accumulate on slicer surfaces and result in food contamination. These machines have a long life in retail and foodservice establishments, and over time they may become difficult or impossible to properly clean and sanitize. Routine professional maintenance of all deli slicers is critical to preventing these machines from becoming a significant food safety hazard.
Outbreaks of foodborne illness resulting in serious illnesses and hospitalizations have been linked to food that has become contaminated during contact with deli slicers. FDA continues to work closely with state and local governments and operators of restaurants, grocery stores and other food establishments to prevent illness from contaminated food. FDA is working with stakeholders to develop enhanced minimum standards for the design and construction of new deli slicers and to ensure that proper cleaning and maintenance instructions are provided with each machine.
FDA encourages consumers to ask store and restaurant management about the procedures they follow to ensure their deli slicers are properly cleaned and maintained.
The new poster and flyer are available in both English and Spanish at no charge and can be ordered at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/UCM222258.pdf
For orders greater than 500, contact Shirley Turpin at shirley.turpin@fda.hhs.gov.
The documents can also be downloaded from the web at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/IndustryandRegulatory
AssistanceandTrainingResources/ucm240554.htm

Statement by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation on the One Year Anniversary of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Campaign

Statement by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation on the One Year Anniversary of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Campaign
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation today extended its congratulations to First Lady Michelle Obama on the first anniversary of Let’s Move!, her ground-breaking program aimed at eliminating childhood obesity.

“Thanks to the First Lady’s initiative more Americans than ever are conscious of the problem of childhood obesity and committed to help solve it. Her leadership has resulted in a groundswell of support for this cause,” said Lisa Gable, executive director of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.

“The First Lady is talking about both sides of the obesity challenge. The problem is both the calories people consume and the calories they expend through physical activity – or don’t expend because of lack of physical activity. It is vital that we encourage fewer calories in and more calories out – energy balance.”

In the 17 months since the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) was formed, it has launched the following initiatives aimed at encouraging fewer calories in and more calories out:
• Announcing a pledge by Foundation manufacturing members to reduce 1.5 trillion calories from the marketplace by the end of 2015, by reducing portion sizes of existing single-serve products, developing lower-calorie options, or reformulating recipes to lower the calorie content of current products.
• Partnering with Discovery Education in Energy Balance 101 – a curriculum presented in language children understand, promoting nutrition and physical activity education – that reaches into 21,000 elementary schools and is available free of charge online at www.energybalance101.com.
• Partnering with Meredith Media Company and Parents Magazine in www.parents.com/hwcf, offering free resources to help parents and teachers address child obesity.
• Partnering in a website with the National Business Group on Health, offering free resources to help small/midsized firms provide employee wellness programs.
• Promoting healthier eating and physical activity to the domestic employees of member companies, including conducting (through the National Business Group on Health) annual studies of the workplace wellness initiatives of HWCF members.
• Partnering with the American Dietetic Association Foundation to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive school-based energy balance program.
“This is an issue that is important to the future of all Americans – and Americans should be appreciative that First Lady Michelle Obama has taken on a leading role,” Ms. Gable said.

Restaurants to Welcome 70 Million Diners for Valentine’s Day

Restaurants to Welcome 70 Million Diners for Valentine’s Day

(Washington, D.C.) Seventy million Americans will celebrate Valentine’s Day at a restaurant this year, according to the National Restaurant Association. The Association’s new consumer research shows that about one-third of consumers (31 percent) say they will dine out this February 14.

“There is no better way to celebrate romance than to share a great meal at a restaurant – and millions of Americans will do just that this Valentine’s Day,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. “When it comes to choosing a restaurant for that special meal, consumers’ top three deciding factors are the familiarity of a favorite eatery, a romantic setting, and special menu offerings.”

Younger adults are more likely to enjoy a special Valentine’s Day meal at a restaurant than older adults; 33 percent of 18-34-year olds, and 39 percent of 35-44-year olds say they plan to dine out for a Valentine’s Day meal, compared with 27 percent of those 55 and older.

When it comes to factors involved in choosing where to dine out for Valentine’s Day, most consumers (42 percent) say they pick their favorite restaurant or their companion’s favorite restaurant for their special meal. Twenty-one percent select a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere, followed by restaurants that offer special menus or promotions (13 percent), restaurants picked by their companion (12 percent), and a restaurant they haven’t been to before (11 percent).

For younger consumers, a romantic atmosphere carries more weight when choosing a restaurant on Valentine’s Day than it does for older adults. Thirty-nine percent of 18-34-year olds said that was the most important factor for them, compared with only 8 percent of those 65 and older.

The Association also surveyed member restaurants on what type of promotions they would offer around Valentine’s Day, and the most common responses were special menu items (63 percent), prix fixe menu (45 percent), celebratory beverages or desserts (34 percent), flower/candy (28 percent), and entertainment/music (13 percent). In addition, 63 percent considered Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday – a typically slower day of the week – an advantage.

Previous research by the Association shows that Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday to dine out, after Mother’s Day.

VETERANS ORGANIZATION WARNS OF PTS DANGERS FROM “CALL OF DUTY” & OTHER WAR VIDEO GAMES

VETERANS ORGANIZATION WARNS OF PTS DANGERS FROM “CALL OF DUTY” & OTHER WAR VIDEO GAMES

Stay Strong Nation Says War Video Games May Be Trigger of Severe PTS Symptoms

MAUI, HAWAII – (February 9, 2011) – Stay Strong Nation, a non-profit organization working to help veterans cope with Post-Traumatic Stress/Traumatic Brain Injury (PTS/TBI), today said popular war-simulation video games pose a bigger threat than people think to veterans with PTS. Exposure to popular games like “Call of Duty: Black Ops” serve as dangerous and sometimes volatile triggers for veterans suffering from PTS.

Among the best-selling video games during 2010, “Call of Duty: Black Ops” is engineered as a real-life simulation of war-like scenarios based in different combat zones. It’s been reported that violent video games may pose a danger to children, but often lost in that conversation are the millions of veterans who lived the real thing and today are left trying to put their lives back together.

Experts at Stay Strong Nation say the bigger danger resides within veterans who have PTS but fail to admit or identify the symptoms. “The scariest part of PTS is when a veteran experiences symptoms such as flashbacks, or feelings of panic and depression, yet unknowingly brushes it under a blanket of machismo,” said Gresford Lewishall, vice president of the organization. “Veterans either play or have exposure to the games and subsequently feel like they’re back in Afghanistan or Iraq in life or death situations. Their heart beat accelerates and they feel a sense of unease come over them.”

Veterans coping with PTS/TBI endure daily reminders, often unintentional by most Americans, that serve as triggers causing emotional flashbacks that are sometimes severe. Games like “Call of Duty: Black Ops” act as a trigger whereby veterans think back to the realities of some of war’s darkest moments, from a blown out tire on a jeep to carrying a deceased fellow soldier back from enemy territory.

Stay Strong Nation urges all veterans to realize the inherent dangers involved in playing or having exposure to war-simulation video games. The organization is currently on a mission to educate private citizens on these dangers, as PTS affects family, friends and loved ones of veterans. Stay Strong Nation is also preparing a study involving veterans on a possible new treatment for PTS, as well as planning the development of a $20 million treatment facility and program based in Hawaii.

Schnucks to host Frieda's Produce University(r) on specialty winter citrus Customers are invited back to "class" on Saturday, February 26.

Schnucks to host Frieda's Produce University(r) on specialty winter citrus Customers are invited back to "class" on Saturday, February 26.

ST. LOUIS (February 2011) - When it comes to specialty produce, education is key, and the produce experts at Schnuck Markets, Inc. are eager to share their knowledge about in-season specialty citrus in an upcoming Frieda's Produce University(r) event on Saturday, February 26. Produce teams will be on-hand throughout the day to offer samples and helpful information about several specialty citrus varieties during the chain-wide event.

Taking place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all Schnucks and Logli locations in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi, the open-house style event provides an opportunity for customers to see, touch, taste and ask questions about a variety unique and lesser-known citrus fruits.

Citrus varieties include: Moro Blood Oranges, Melogolds, Shasta Mandarins, Kumquats, Meyer Lemons and Pummelos. Frieda's Specialty Produce and Schnucks have partnered on this ongoing produce education program for several sessions now, each with a different product mix.

"Last year's 'Citrus University' was very well received, and we expect to see a great response from our shoppers this year as well," said Mike O'Brien, Vice President of produce at Schnucks. "Frieda's Produce University(r) is a great way for our produce teams to connect and build relationships with shoppers, while positioning us as expert resources."

Each Frieda's Produce University(r) session begins with a produce manager training seminar, prior to the in-store event, to familiarize the teams with the featured products. Frieda's marketing team provides in-depth product fact sheets on each item, in addition to point-of-sale signage for each store, along with informational brochures.

Since 1989, Frieda's Produce University(r) has helped educate consumers with in-depth product information, preparation ideas and samples of the latest specialty fruits and vegetables within grocers' produce departments.

Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 105 stores (including five Logli stores) and 101 in-store pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi. Learn more at www.schnucks.com.

Frieda's is passionate about changing the way America eats fruits and vegetables. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda's, Inc. was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman. Once a small produce stand at the Los Angeles Produce Market, Frieda's has emerged as the nation's premier marketer and distributor of specialty produce and now offers more than 600 specialty items to grocery stores and foodservice distributors throughout the U.S. and Canada. America has Frieda's to thank for introductions to Kiwifruit, Shallots, Cherimoyas, Donut(r) Peaches, Sugar Snap(tm) Peas and Habanero Peppers and the innovations just keep coming. Learn more at www.friedas.com

News from Fruit Logistica Feb. 9

Global production: 1.5 billion tonnes of fruit and vegetables

Speaking at the FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 opening press conference, Messe Berlin Chief Operating Officer Dr. Christian Göke reported that over 1.5 billion tonnes of fruit and vegetables were produced worldwide last year. According to information from the AMI (agricultural market information service), around 820 million tonnes of vegetables and 700 million tonnes of fruit were produced globally in 2010. "10% of fruit are exported in cross-border trade, and just 3-4% of vegetables", Göke said. Fruit production experienced a slight decline in 2010.
Tough competition in the global fruit and vegetable market

"The competition for producers who supply high-quality and safe fruit and vegetables in adequate quantities will intensify." This was the cautionary advice of Jürgen Boruszewski, member of the executive committee of the German fruit trade association (DFHV), at the FRUIT LOGISTICA opening press conference. Increasing demand from the growing world population will be accompanied by fiercer competition for scarce resources, he said. Many countries are already buying large land areas on other continents in order to ensure a steady supply of food for their citizens. The DFHV representative warned that, if this development continues, it will become more and more difficult for Germany's producers to compete successfully, particularly with emerging economies.
Fruit and vegetable consumption in Germany continues to drop

German consumers bought an average of 142.9 kg of fresh produce per household in 2010, slightly less than in the previous year, but spending was higher at an average of EUR 249.19. These figures from the AMI (agricultural market information service) were announced at the FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 opening press conference by Messe Berlin Chief Operating Officer Dr. Christian Göke. Fruit took the larger share at EUR 127.34 (+2%) and 81.5 kg (-1%). This is equivalent to around 220 g per day. There were no changes in the popularity scale. The most popular fruit varieties are apples (19.5 kg), followed by bananas (14.7 kg) and oranges (9.2 kg). Germans spent EUR 121.85 (+8%) per household on 61.4 kg of fresh vegetables. Consumption was 2% lower than in the previous year, reaching an eight-year low. Tomatoes (10 kg) still lead the way here, followed by carrots (7.8 kg) and cucumbers (6.3 kg).
Germany: Fruit and vegetable prices remain low

Fruit and vegetables are still among the most affordable foods in Germany, Jürgen Boruszewski, member of the executive committee of the German fruit trade association (DFHV), said at the FRUIT LOGISTICA opening press conference. Fruit prices had risen by around 5% in 2010, but in 2009 they had fallen by almost 4%, Boruszewski said. Vegetable prices went up by just over 6% in 2010, having dropped over 4% in 2009. Because of the low base level, these percentage increases only meant a few cents in real terms, Boruszewski explained. He expects a slight increase in prices in 2011.
Famila Kiel has Germany's most popular fresh produce departments

Famila Kiel's fresh produce departments have been voted the most popular in the country by consumers in a representative survey. Günter Schweinsberg, publisher of Fruchthandel Magazine and chairman of the Trade Fair Advisory Board, announced the winner of the FRUCHTHANDEL MAGAZINE Retail Awards 2011 at the FRUIT LOGISTICA opening press conference. Fresh produce departments are regarded as a calling card for food retailers and, according to the survey results, influence the consumer's overall impression of a supermarket.
Anecoop with growth in sales of EUR 14 million

"In the last campaign 2009/2010 we had a turnover of around EUR 481 million and sold 625,000 tonnes of produce", reported Joan Mir, Managing Director of Anecoop since 1 January 2011. In the season before sales reached EUR 467 million. Anecoop highlights at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 include the introduction of new mandarin varieties "Garbi" and "Safor". The association is also presenting its new packaging image designed for the bouquet premium brand. Anecoop this year celebrates the 35th anniversary of the founding and the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the seedless watermelon. According to the Anecoop managing director, "This is very significant, because we are the market leaders in the sale of these melons in Europe". (Hall 11.2, Stand B-06. Contact: Carlota Pardo, tel. +34-963-938500, e-mail: info@anecoop.com)
Bayer CropScience: Focus on sustainable agriculture

Bayer CropScience plans to gear its activities more consistently towards the promotion of sustainable farming. In line with the company's "Working together for sustainable agriculture" theme at FRUIT LOGISTICA, Bayer is presenting projects with food industry partners that make it possible to produce high-quality food in a sustainable manner. Sustainable solutions based on seeds, innovative pest control and extensive consulting play a key role in safeguarding harvests, increasing long-term yields and maintaining crop quality. (Hall 20, Stand C-13. Contact: Utz Klages, tel. +49-2173-383125, e-mail: utz.klages@bayer.com)
VLAM presents export winners

According to Paul Coenen, Director of the Flanders Agricultural Marketing Office (VLAM) in Germany, "The top sellers in Belgium's export package are tomatoes, cabbage lettuce, cucumbers and leeks". Belgian growers cultivate 870,000 tonnes of vegetables each year for the fresh produce market. 570,000 tonnes are distributed to EU countries, including 165,000 tonnes to Germany. "In a market survey, 88% of the respondents indicated that Flandria is the best known vegetable brand in the German retail sector. 75% indicated that Flandria achieves the greatest market penetration", Coenen said. The quality seals, particularly "Flandria", and the fruit brands are the focus of the Belgian stand at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011. 'With 500,000 tonnes sold annually, the Flandria quality seal is the most important producers' fresh vegetable brand in Europe – 55 fresh vegetable varieties and 35 specialty street products. (Hall 6.2, Stand B-06. Contact: Paul Coenen, tel. +49-221-254857, e-mail: paul.coenen@vlam.be)
Cobana Fruchtring: Close to producers and consumers

Cobana Fruchtring is presenting the group's corporate profile at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 with the slogan "Nah dran" (close by). "The concept draws on current developments in the fruit trade with regard to the challenges of procurement directly from producers and optimum safeguarding of quality and availability in a market that is becoming further concentrated", explains Marketing Manager Stephan Schlick. He believes that having a direct connection to the producer creates greater transparency and confidence in a reliable supply. Schlick goes on to explain that the fruit industry must adapt by shifting from conventional commodity trading to the provision of a complete service. (Hall 6.2, Stand A-03. Contact: Stephan Schlick, tel. +49-40-30305270, e-mail: sst@cobana-fruchtring.de)
Dole: Four pillars of sustainability

"Dole Europe is pursuing a sustainability strategy based on four pillars", Oliver Engelken, Dole Business Director Northern Europe, explains at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011. One of these, the company's so-called water footprint, is the exhibitor's focus at this year's trade fair. Dole presents four initiatives for more efficient use of water in Hall 6.2. These involve maximising the use of rainwater, implementing modern irrigation technology, significantly reducing the use of water in fruit packaging – demonstrated by the "New Millennium Packing Plants" – and efforts by the company to improve wastewater quality. (Hall 6.2, Stand A-02. Contact: Xavier Roussel, tel. +49-40-329060, e-mail: xavier.roussel@dole.com)
France: Sweetcarpaccio, Kiwi de l'Adour and Antarès

One of the many new products presented by French exhibitors at the Pavillon France at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 is the iridescent red and green "Sweetcarpaccio" from Tomate Jouno. Prim'land and Sikig's "Kiwi de l'Adour" is the only French kiwi fruit to have been awarded the Label Rouge quality award and carry the European seal of origin PGI. Fruits-Union SAS presents the early-ripening green "Summerkiwi" and the "Pêches Plates", which are flat white peaches. Rougeline-Odélis has added four cold-pressed juices to its product range: the "Jus et nectar de fruits Rougeline" come in a selection of Marmande tomato, pineapple tomato, organic kiwi fruit or strawberry. Lunor offers pre-cooked organic lentils and kidney beans. Le Verger de la Blottière presents its new apple variety "Antarès®". And Soleco-Florette presents two new salad mixes, "Lollo Rosso & Batavia" and "Lamb's lettuce and rocket". (Hall 21, Stand E-09. Contact: Barbara Peters, tel. +49-211-4980827, e-mail: barbara.peters@sopexa.com)
Freshfel Europe uses the trade fair for meetings and networking

"FRUIT LOGISTICA is a great place for networking and talking with industry leaders and representatives about the role of Freshfel, the achievements reached, and the priorities for future actions”, says Philippe Binard, General Delegate of Freshfel Europe. Furthermore, for the past decade Freshfel has been holding an important trade policy meeting at FRUIT LOGISTICA to discuss the industry's latest developments with members from across the chain and across Europe. Issues include trade developments and negotiations, food safety, plant health and the European School Fruit Scheme. (Hall 20, Stand C-15. Contact: Philippe Binard, tel. +32-2-7771580, e-mail: info@freshfel.org)
New premium snack from Fyffes

Fyffes is introducing an innovative premium snack in the new "Vegetable Snack Segment" at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011. Made from cooking bananas, "Fyffes Plantain Chips" are available in three different flavours. "With this new product Fyffes hopes to offer German trade partners and others a trendsetting incentive for the promising vegetable snack segment", says Oscar Dominguez, Business Development Manager for Fyffes Plantain Chips. The chips contain no sodium glutamate, no artificial colours or flavours, no cholesterol and no trans fats. "Just fresh, high-quality ingredients for a balanced and natural taste sensation", says Dominguez. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-04. Contact: Michaela Schneider, tel. +49-172-4018228, e-mail: mschneider@fyffes.com)
GFI has new strategy

The focus of the GFI (German wholesale market association) exhibit at FRUIT LOGISTICA is on strategic development. GFI members recently passed a resolution to adopt an open approach to food retail markets and to broaden the association’s range of tasks. "We are now accepting members from over 3,000 farmer’s markets and 15,000 fresh produce retail outlets, and thus to all wholesale market customers", explains GFI Chairman Uwe Kluge. The members would also benefit from the expansion of GFI’s business portfolio, which now covers the full spectrum of trade management. (Hall 21, Stand F-15. Contact: Frank Willhausen, tel. +49-170-5577514, e-mail: frank.willhausen@frischemaerkte.org)
IFCO: New reusable containers for perishable goods

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 is where IFCO is presenting its Banana Crate, Egg Crate, and Meat Crate product innovations designed for perishable and fragile goods. These reusable containers developed by the international logistics service company offer customers a sustainable alternative to disposable packaging. In line with food hygiene standards, IFCO’s "green crates" facilitate the transport of fresh foods from the producer to food retailers. At the same time, they support environmental protection by avoiding waste and reducing carbon emissions. (Hall 20, Stand B-02. Contact: Ines Rößler, tel. +49-89-7590050, e-mail: i.roessler@power-group.net)
Inter with ripe Kent mangos and new small packs

The stand sponsored by Internationale Fruchtimport Gesellschaft Weichert GmbH & Co. KG, is where visitors can sample ripe Kent mango and learn about the company’s new small packs for passion fruit and rambutan. “The focus of our exhibit this year at FRUIT LOGISTICA is on products from Columbia, Brazil and Peru,” explained Marketing Manager Ralph Fischer. Once again, the company is presenting a selection of its entire range of exotic products. These include established products, such as Pitúmettes and “Nino” papaya. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-04. Contact: Ralph Fischer, tel. +49-40-329000, e-mail: r.fischer@interweichert.de)
“Peter Vetter” is now “Landgard”

To underscore its affiliation with the Landgard Group, the Peter Vetter company has officially changed its company name. What was previously known as “Peter Vetter – The Fresh Company” is now “Landgard”. Speaking at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011, Thomas Bittel, Managing Partner of Landgard Holding, explained the decision taken by the Peter Vetter Group: “The shared ‘Landgard’ name not only ensures a consistent global brand presence – it also stands for the expertise, service-orientation and strength we have gained through the merger. A shared network of affiliated companies under one name strengthens all of those involved”. (Hall 20, Stand C-02. Contact: Torsten Brandt, tel. +49-2839-591120, e-mail: torsten.brandt@landgard.de)
Medjool dates from the US in demand in Europe

According to the producers, Medjool dates from California’s Bard Valley are currently selling very well in Europe. The fruits are larger, juicier, sweeter – and more expensive – than dates from North Africa and other regions. Growers are therefore interested in markets with high purchasing power. According to the exhibitor, demand in Northern Europe has grown significantly in recent years. Five American companies are celebrating their debut this year at FRUIT LOGISTICA. The exhibition space for the U.S. pavilion is roughly 50% larger than in 2010. (Hall 23, Stand A-01. Contact: Christel E. Wagner, tel. +49-30-83051158, e-mail: christel.wagner@fas.usda.gov)
Top quality ‘fresh, juicy, Styrian’ apples

"The ‘fresh, juicy, Styrian’ apple of 2010 is coming into the shops this year at its best, with all of the typical attributes", explains Manfred Stessel, Managing Director of OPST Obst Partner Steiermark GmbH at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011. “This year Styrian apple growers can say with pride that all the typical qualities of their varieties are at their best.” He said that contrasting development periods in the summer led to a dynamic ripening process. The apple of 2010 has retained its extremely well-balanced, sweet-sour ratio. It has the original full flavour and distinctive, perfectly consistent colouration. “The classic ‘Gala’ will be available in smaller sizes than in the previous year, while the ‘Golden Delicious’ variety is larger than expected”, adds Stessel. (Hall 20, Stand A-17. Contact: Franz Schaden, tel. +43-664-88418840, e-mail: office@opst.at)
QuickBox resists dampness

The Schumacher Packaging Group is launching its new QuickBox at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011. One of the special strengths of this 100% cardboard crate is its resistance to dampness and its excellent stacking capability. The Schumacher QuickBox can be implemented across the complete delivery chain – from harvesting in the field to cold storage and the supermarket shelf. This significantly reduces handling and eliminates the need for re-packing. (Hall 21, Stand C-04. Contact: Björn Schumacher,
tel. +49-9562-3830, e-mail: ebersdorf@schumacher-packaging.com)
South Tyrol – Europe's most important supplier of organic apples

“With a 25% share of Europe’s organic apple crop, South Tyrol is the most important supplier of organic apples in the European Union", says Paul Zandanel from the South Tyrol Export Organisation of the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce. Approximately 4% of South Tyrol’s apple crop is organically grown each year on around 680 hectares of land at an altitude ranging from 200 to 1,100 metres. The crop yield has consistently increased over the past few years. 43,000 tonnes of organic apples were harvested in 2010 compared to 37,000t in 2009 and 31,000t in 2008. “In response to the growing demand, we are planning to cultivate even more apples grown according to organic guidelines”, adds Zandanel at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011. (Hall 4.2, Stand B-10. Contact: Paul Zandanel, tel. +39-0471-945750, e-mail: info@suedtirolerapfel.com)
UNIVEG combines global presence and local know-how

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 is where the UNIVEG Group is showcasing its ability to combine global presence and local know-how in the production of fresh fruit and vegetables. Its slogan at the trade fair is ‘UNIVEG, your direct connection to the field’. “The annual FRUIT LOGISTICA trade fair is an important date on the industry’s business calendar”, says Francis Kint, CEO of the UNIVEG Fruit & Vegetable division. "Everything at UNIVEG is aimed at our customers. This event provides an excellent forum to communicate and work on achieving specific customer objectives. (Hall 5.2, Stand A-03. Contact: Nancy Goovaerts, tel. +32-15-324200, e-mail: nancy.goovaerts@univeg.com)

Preview of press events: Wednesday, 9 February 2011



Wednesday, 9 February 2011



10:00 am

Opening Tour FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011

with Dr. Gerd Müller, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Dr. Christian Göke, COO Messe Berlin GmbH

Contact: Wolfgang Rogall, tel. +49 (0)30 3038 2218, e-mail: rogall@messe-berlin.de

Location: Exhibition grounds, entrance south, entrance level



11:30 am - 12:00 pm

Daily Press Talk GFI

Contact: Frank Willhausen, tel. +49 (0)170 5577514, e-mail: frank.willhausen@frischemaerkte.org

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 21, Stand F-15



12:00 pm

Press lunch Kiwi d'Adour

Contact: Barbara Peters, tel. +49 (0)211 49 808 27, e-mail: barbara.peters@sopexa.com

Location: Exhibition grounds, Hall 22, Stand Interfel C-22



01:00 pm

Press Event – Chilean Fresh Fruit Association

with Chilean Ambassador Jorge O´Ryan, Ronald Bown, President of the Asociación de Exportadores de Chile (ASOEX), Juan Carlos Sepulveda, General Manager of Fedefruta
Contact: Lianne Jones, tel. +44 (0) 113 366 3128, e-mail: ljones@chileanfreshfruit.com

Location: Chilean Pavilion Hall 25, Stand B-06



02:00 pm - 04:00 pm

ECPA – The global impact of Europe's agriculture and food policies: a panel debate
Location: Großer Stern, Room Sydney



02:00 pm - 03:00 pm

Press conference COBRO
Packaging Selection Support System for fresh fruit, vegetables and mushrooms

Contact: Dr. Monika Kaßmann, tel. + fax: +49 (0)351 472 82 56, e-mail: m.kassmann@gmx.de

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Press Centre, Hall 6.3



04:30 pm

Press Conference IFCO Systems

Contact: Ines Rößler, e-mail: i.roessler@power-group.net, tel. +49 89 75 90 05

Location: Hall 20/B-02, IFCO



04:30 pm - 06:30 pm

Tour with Ilse Aigner

Contact: Wolfgang Rogall, tel. 030 3038 2218,
e-mail: rogall@messe-berlin.de

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Entrance North/Hall 19



05:30 pm

Presentation of "Le Crunch" donation cheque to SOS-Kinderdorf

Contact: Le Crunch, c/o Sopexa, S.A., Deutschland, Daniela Jahn, tel. +49 (0)211 49808-22,
fax: +49 (0)211 49808-21, e-mail: daniela.jahn@sopexa.com,

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 22, Stand Interfel C-22



06:00 pm

Press conference + aperitif CIV (Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti)

Contact: Alice Camellini, tel. +39-059-7863894, e-mail: alice.camellini@fruitecom.it

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Großer Stern, Room Sydney



06:30 pm

German Food Traders Night
(by personal invitation only)

Contact: Holger Hübner, tel. +49 30 4000477-11,
e-mail: huebner@germanexport.org

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Marshall-Haus



Thursday, 10 February 2011



09:30 am

Press date: Introduction to Italy's producing regions: GAL Sud-Est Barese

Contact: Wir Kommunikation und Unternehmensberatung GmbH, Dagmar Schumann, tel. +49 (0)40 2703964,
e-mail: dagmar.schumann@wirkomm.de

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 2.2, Stand C-08 I.C.E. Italy Stand



10:00 am

Press reception "Discover Colombia, there are many colors and flavors waiting for you

Contact: Sergio Calderon, Leiter Kolumbianische Außenwirtschaftsstelle, tel. +49 (0)69-13023832, e-mail: scalderon@proexport.com.co

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 25, Stand C-05



11:00 am

Press Breakfast „Der steierische Apfel – Der Gesundmacher“

Contact: Christian Wagner, tel. +40 172 300 68 73, e-mail: info@scantinental.com

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 20, Stand/A17



11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Press conference GLOBALG.A.P.
Implementing GLOBALG.A.P. V4, Tour 2011, Emerging Markets

Contact: Claudia Meifert, tel. +49 (0)221-5799325, e-mail: meifert@globalgap.org

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Press Centre, Hall 6.3



11:30 am - 12:00 pm

Daily Press Talk GFI

Contact: Frank Willhausen, tel. +49 (0)170 5577514, e-mail: frank.willhausen@frischemaerkte.org

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 21, Stand F-15



12:00 pm

Press date: Introduction to Italy's producing regions: Sicily

Contact: Wir Kommunikation und Unternehmensberatung GmbH, Dagmar Schumann, tel. +49 (0)40 2703964,
e-mail: dagmar.schumann@wirkomm.de

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 2.2, Stand C-08 I.C.E. Italy Stand



03:00 pm

Press date: Introduction to Italy's producing regions: Calabria

Contact: Wir Kommunikation und Unternehmensberatung GmbH, Dagmar Schumann, tel. +49 (0)40 2703964,
e-mail: dagmar.schumann@wirkomm.de

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 2.2, Stand C-08 I.C.E. Italy Stand



06:00 pm

Honor Reception Honduras

Contact: Melina Armijo, e-mail: info@deinternational.com.hn

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 25, Stand D-03



Friday, 11 February 2011



11:00 am

Press Conference - Conception IPA – International Pomme Fruit Allianz

Contact: Kurt Werth, kurtwerth@sk-suedtirol.it, tel. +39 335 8391124

Location: Hall 4.2 B-10, Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium



11:30 am - 12:00 pm

Daily Press Talk GFI

Contact: Frank Willhausen, tel. +49 (0)170 5577514, e-mail: frank.willhausen@frischemaerkte.org

Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 21, Stand F-15



02:30 pm - 03:00 pm

Press conference Fruit Logistica Innovation Award FLIA 2011
presented by Messe Berlin and Fruchthandel Magazine
Location: Exhibition Grounds, Hall 20/21





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