Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Group of Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Eliminate Duplicative Permit Requirement for Pesticide Applications

Group of Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Eliminate
Duplicative Permit Requirement for Pesticide Applications
Congressional action necessary to prevent significant cost to economy
WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Jean Schmidt (R-OH), and Joe Baca (D-CA) introduced H.R. 872, a bipartisan bill to reduce the regulatory burdens posed by the case National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009). Joining in this effort as original cosponsors were House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), as well as Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), John Mica (R-FL), and Mike Simpson (R-ID).
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 already highly regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The order of the court goes into effect on April 9, 2011. At that 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 cost of compliance, pesticide users will be subject to an increased risk of litigation under the citizen suit provision of the CWA.
The legislation would amend FIFRA and the CWA to clarify Congressional intent and eliminate the requirement of a NPDES permit for the use of FIFRA-registered pesticides.
"This legislation will prevent the single greatest expansion of the permitting process in the history of the Clean Water Act program. Unless Congress acts, hundreds of thousands of farmers, foresters, public health officials and others face either new regulatory costs or the threat of lawsuits and exorbitant fines." - Rep. Bob Gibbs, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
"This order will cost jobs and further strain state and federal budget crises. It is critically important that we get this to the President's desk by April 9." - Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture
"If left unchanged, the misguided ruling in the National Cotton Council v. EPA decision may lead to devastating consequences for the public health of Americans and the economic well-being of state regulating agencies, agricultural producers, and small businesses. I am pleased to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan measure, which ensures FIFRA remains the standard for pesticide regulation and continues to protect the health and safety of our families and communities." - Rep Joe Baca, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture
"Today we've introduced legislation to eliminate an unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burden imposed by an uninformed court decision. I encourage my colleagues to work together for swift passage before the April 9 deadline." - Rep. Frank Lucas, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee
“Congress never intended for farmers and ranchers to meet additional permit requirements for pesticide applications under FIFRA. The last thing producers need is more regulation and this bill will relieve producers from meeting a costly regulatory burden that would have little to no environmental benefit.” - Rep. Collin Peterson, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee
"These duplicative regulations would unnecessarily burden our small businesses, farmers, state and local governments, and others. I commend Chairman Gibbs for helping to spearhead this common sense legislative effort to reign in the out of control federal regulatory policies that weigh down our economy and stifle job creation.” - Rep. John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
“Duplicative and unnecessary federal regulations make it that much harder for farmers and other water users to survive in difficult economic times. It is imperative that we act quickly to address this problem.” - Rep. Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee

First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Work with Education Stakeholders to Increase Participation in the HealthierUS School Challenge and Advance Goals of the First Lady’s Lets Move! Initiative

First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Work with Education Stakeholders to Increase Participation in the HealthierUS School Challenge and Advance Goals of the First Lady’s Lets Move! Initiative

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2011- First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to education stakeholders on a conference call today to discuss advancing the Let’s Move! initiative goal of doubling the number of schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) HealthierUS School Challenge Program. Education stakeholders from across the country were invited to participate, including representatives from the American Association of School Administrators, National School Boards Association, National Association of State Boards of Education, Council of the Great City Schools, National Parent Teacher Association, the School Nutrition Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Association of School Nurses, the National Association for Educating Young Children, and the Association for School Business Officials International.

During the call, education stakeholders were urged to help generate additional participation in the challenge and support the Let’s Move! initiative by promoting the application guidance provided in USDA’s online toolkit. Every year, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are encouraged to submit an application to the HealthierUS School Challenge Program, organized by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. The challenge is a voluntary initiative that recognizes and rewards schools that promote healthy environments for students through nutrition and physical activity programs. In addition, the challenge aims to improve the quality of food served in schools, provide students with nutrition education, physical education and opportunities for physical activity.

“The HealthierUS School Challenge is a great way for schools to create healthier environments for kids,” First Lady Michelle Obama said. “It sets concrete goals for providing more nutritious school food, regular physical activity and sound nutrition education to help kids make better choices. And right now, we’re working to double the number of schools in the HealthierUS School Challenge. We’re not going to stop until we’ve solved the problem of childhood obesity once and for all. We’re not going to stop until we know that our schools and our educators have everything they need to give our kids the healthy futures they deserve.”

“Students do better in schools when they have a balanced diet and regular exercise,” Secretary Duncan said. “To make sure we’re preparing students in every way possible to be successful in school, we need to teach them how a healthy lifestyle can effectively impact their ability to learn now, in college and throughout their careers. The HealthierUS School Challenge is a great opportunity for administrators, school leaders, teachers and student to share their hard work toward promoting nutrition and physical education, and encourage other schools to take on the challenge.”

“We know that to win the future, we have to win the race to educate our children and that means that our kids must have access to nutritious meals and healthy lifestyles,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Over the past year, individuals and organizations around the country have come together to improve school meals and get kids active, helping us make progress toward certifying 1,250 schools in the HealthierUS School Challenge. It is critical that we continue to work together to encourage schools to become part of this initiative so we can reward schools that do an exceptional job promoting meal participation, meal quality, nutrition education and physical activity.”

The HealthierUS School Challenge Program helps advance the goals of the First Lady’s Let’s Move!initiative by encouraging, supporting and pursuing solutions to combat childhood obesity. Many children consume as many as half of their daily calories at school. With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever. Over the course of the current school year, USDA has worked with partners in the private sector and education community to double the number of schools that meet the HealthierUS School Challenge and add 1,000 schools per year over the next two years.

To learn more about the HealthierUS School Challenge Program and to access the online application, visit: http://www.letsmove.gov/chefs-step-2.php. To access the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s application kit, visit http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/healthierchallengeapplicationkit.html

TIE ON YOUR APRON AND GET READY TO BAKE TO HELP END CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN AMERICA

TIE ON YOUR APRON AND GET READY TO BAKE
TO HELP END CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN AMERICA
Share Our Strength launches Eighth Annual Great American Bake Sale® March 1
National Challenge Set for May 13-15, 2011

Washington, D.C. (March 1, 2011) – Share Our Strength® announces its Eighth Annual Great American Bake Sale®, presented by Domino® Sugar, C&H® Sugar and Duncan Hines®, officially kicked off nationwide on March 1, 2011. Great American Bake Sale is a national campaign that encourages Americans to hold bake sales in their communities to raise funds for Share Our Strength, the leading organization ending childhood hunger in America.

Share Our Strength is asking families, kids, neighbors, businesses, churches and even whole towns to hold bake sales to help raise funds to support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. Through this campaign, Share Our Strength ensures that children in need are enrolled in federal nutrition programs like school lunch and breakfast; invests in community organizations that help connect kids with the food they need; teaches at-risk families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end child hunger nationally, and at the state and city levels. Since 2003, 1.7 million people have participated in the Great American Bake Sale, and raised more than $6 million.

Bake sales, which are happening throughout the country all year long, empower individuals, including children, to make a difference in their own communities and become part of the solution. They can be held in a variety of venues, from schools to community centers, to churches or businesses. To find a bake sale in your area or to get information on hosting a bake sale, visit greatamericanbakesale.org.

In addition to the Annual Great American Bake Sale, Americans are invited to join the Great American Bake Sale National Challenge May 13-15, 2011. In its second year, the Challenge is a three-day call to action to hold as many bake sales as possible in as many states as possible.

“Hunger affects more than 17 million kids in the United States. That is nearly 1 in 4,” says Sandra Lee, national spokesperson. “Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale is a great way for people to give back to their communities while having fun. By hosting bake sales, individuals are helping feed children who struggle with hunger.”

Lee, popular star of Food Network’s “Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee” and a premier lifestyle and food expert, faced hunger as a child, she along with her four younger siblings, relied on federal feeding programs like food stamps. In 2008, Lee joined Great American Bake Sale as the campaign’s national spokesperson. Lee will publish a new cookbook entitled Semi-Homemade Bake Sale, and will donate 25 percent of proceeds to Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale.



Great American Bake Sale is supported by Chicago Metallic™, official bakeware partner, Food Network, national television partner, Family Circle, national print partner, and Solo®, an official baking ingredient partner.

Register your bake sale or learn more at GreatAmericanBakesale.org.

Stabenow to EPA: Extend the stay

March 2, 2011

The Honorable Lisa Jackson
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460


Dear Administrator Jackson:

I write to respectfully request that you ask the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to extend, by nine months, the two-year stay it granted in National Cotton Council v. EPA. I believe that an extension of the stay – which is set to expire on April 9, 2011 – is necessary to prevent widespread confusion regarding Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting obligations that could arise for hundreds of thousands of regulated entities nationwide, including farms and timberlands. It is my understanding that neither EPA nor States with delegated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) programs are sufficiently prepared to implement the permitting requirements. Providing additional time will give the relevant regulatory agencies enough time to properly implement the Court’s 2009 ruling, which made applications of aquatic pesticides subject to NPDES permitting requirements.

An extension of the stay would also provide Congress with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how EPA’s implementation of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) protects human health and the environment, including the quality of water resources. Gaining additional insight into FIFRA’s protection for waters would also be particularly relevant to a review of EPA’s preparation of the Pesticide General Permit under the CWA.

Because FIFRA is the primary statute governing pesticide use, I would like to obtain additional information regarding EPA’s implementation of the statue to determine the effectiveness of protection for human health and the environment in the case of pesticide applications on or near water.

• In implementing its statutory mandate, what efforts does EPA take to ensure that FIFRA-registered pesticides, particularly those for aquatic use, do not adversely affect the environment and human health?

• Describe the steps that EPA takes to assess risks and identify controls to mitigate risks.

• What steps does EPA take to collect information on incidents related to pesticide use? What does the Agency do with that information?

• How do EPA and the States, through their delegated authority, ensure that pesticide applicators adhere to the requirements of FIFRA that protect human health and the environment?

I thank you for your attention to these matters, and I look forward to your response to the issues raised in this letter.

Sincerely,



Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

DELAURO URGES ACTION ON FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS BY AIRLINE CATERERS

DELAURO URGES ACTION ON FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS BY AIRLINE CATERERS

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, sent a letter to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, today asking for details about food safety violations in the airline catering industry.

Over the past few years, FDA inspections have found that many airline catering kitchens violate food safety standards by storing food at improper temperatures, using unclean equipment and employ workers who practice poor hygiene. Inspectors also encountered cockroaches, flies, mice, and other signs of inadequate pest control at some facilities. Congresswoman DeLauro also requested that employees of airline caterers receive appropriate whistleblower protection should they come forward to report food safety problems.

The text of the letter is below.

March 3, 2011


Margaret Hamburg, M.D.
Commissioner
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

Dear Dr. Hamburg:

I am writing to express concern about the safety of food that is served on airplanes and to request that employees of airline caterers receive appropriate whistleblower protection under the newly enacted FDA Food Safety Modernization Act should they come forward to report food safety problems.

As you know, several FDA inspection reports have found that many airline catering kitchens violate food safety standards by storing food at improper temperatures, using unclean equipment and employ workers who practice poor hygiene. The report noted that inspectors also encountered cockroaches, flies, mice, and other signs of inadequate pest control at some facilities.

In addition, FDA inspectors in December 2009 and November 2010 issued warning letters to LSG Sky Chefs, which has been described in published news reports as the world’s largest airline caterer. The December 2009 warning letter was issued after live roaches and roach carcasses “too numerous to count” were found inside its Denver facility, while the November 2010 letter reported serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation in its Austin facility. Given that LSG Sky Chefs provide approximately 405 million meals worldwide for more than 300 airlines, it is very disturbing to think many airplane meals were prepared in these unsanitary conditions.

It recently came to my attention that employees of LSG Sky Chefs are aware of substandard conditions elsewhere in the food preparation system within the company that has gone uninspected. These employees could be very helpful in providing the FDA with a complete picture of the problem and its causes. However, these employees reportedly are reluctant to come forward to report these food safety problems to the FDA because of concerns over possible retaliation by their employer.

Under Section 402 of the newly enacted FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, “No entity engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding, or importation of food may discharge an employee or otherwise discriminate against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee, whether at the employee’s initiative or in the ordinary course of the employee’s duties.” Given this language, I would strongly urge the FDA to enforce this new whistleblower protection provision if employees of airline caterers come forward to report food safety problems and are subject to retaliation by their employer.

In addition to addressing the concerns about adequate whistleblower protection, please respond to the following questions:

• Subsequent to the re-inspection of LSG Sky Chef’s Denver facility regarding the unsanitary conditions outlined in the December 2009 warning letter, has FDA been able to return to this facility for a new inspection? If so, what were the results of the inspection reports?

• What is the status of the November 2010 warning letter to LSG Sky Chef’s Austin facility about the serious violations of the seafood HACCP regulation? Did the Austin facility correct this violation and is it now in compliance?

• What are the results of any recent FDA inspections of the largest airline caterers? How often have they been inspected in the past? What has been FDA’s history on imposing fines on airline caterers when violations are found?

Thank you for your attention to this issue. I look forward to the responses to these questions and to working with you on this issue going forward.

Sincerely,


ROSA L. DeLAURO Ranking Member
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

CATFISH FARMERS OF AMERICA WARNS AGAINST BACK-PEDDLING ON FOOD SAFETY

CATFISH FARMERS OF AMERICA WARNS AGAINST BACK-PEDDLING ON FOOD SAFETY

WASHINGTON, March 3 – The Catfish Farmers of America welcomes streamlining U.S. government regulation of America’s food supply chain, but warned today that back-peddling on critical seafood safety inspections and regulations will put consumers at greater risk.
In a new report, the Government Accountability Office questions the cost of transferring the regulation of catfish from the Food and Drug Administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The comments were contained in a report recommending consolidation of America’s food safety agencies.
“The GAO report’s suggestion that regulation of catfish be returned to the FDA is a giant step backwards in protecting the health and safety of American consumers,” said Butch Wilson, newly elected president of the Catfish Farmers of America.
“Congress moved catfish inspections from the FDA to USDA because the USDA system provides far greater health and safety oversight of catfish production and processing,” said Wilson. “That decision was based, in part, on a previous GAO finding that FDA inspects only two percent of all seafood imported into the United States.”
The USDA has greater authority to conduct on-site safety inspections of production facilities, guarantee accurate labeling and enforce requirements that imported meat, poultry and catfish meet the same health and safety standards as American products.
“Our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our product for the American consumer,” Wilson said.

Dairy Industry Advisory Committee Votes to Approve Final Report of Recommendations to Secretary of Agriculture

Dairy Industry Advisory Committee Votes to Approve Final Report of Recommendations to Secretary of Agriculture
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2011 — The Dairy Industry Advisory Committee voted today to approve a final report to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that offers recommendations concerning dairy farm profitability and milk prices.
The vote, which was held during a public meeting via conference call, supports a report that offers 23 public policy recommendations.
“A tremendous amount of time and effort has been put into this report by members of the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee and I’m appreciative of their efforts and their willingness to dedicate time in support of the dairy industry,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The Dairy Industry Advisory Committee was chartered to review farm milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability. The committee was asked to make recommendations to the Secretary on how USDA can best address these issues to meet the dairy industry's needs, both short and long-term. The committee also was asked to provide feedback on how actions taken by USDA in 2009 have affected the dairy industry.
For a written copy of the report — which will be available in approximately 10 days — contact Solomon Whitfield at Solomon.Whitfield@wdc.usda.gov. An electronic version of the report can be obtained by visiting www.fsa.usda.gov/DIAC.

The Ag Minute: House Votes to Repeal 1099 Provision

The Ag Minute: House Votes to Repeal 1099 Provision
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S House of Representatives voted to repeal the 1099 filing provision in the 2010 health care legislation in a bipartisan vote of 314-112. During The Ag Minute, Rep. Frank Lucas, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, discusses the need for Congress to continue to work together to get a bill to the President's desk that eliminates the provision. This requirement would be especially burdensome for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.
Click here to listen to The Ag Minute. The transcript is below.
"The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal a provision in President Obama’s health care legislation that would be an administrative nightmare for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. This is just one step and a lot of work is still left to be done.
"The provision, which should have never been inserted in the health care bill, would require a 1099 form be filed with the Internal Revenue Service for each individual to whom $600 or more is paid to in a year.
"Grain elevators, farmer cooperatives, and virtually any agricultural business which purchases even small volumes of commodities will be subject to this requirement for each farmer they buy from in a year.
"For farmers and cooperatives, large and small, this tax filing provision will be immensely burdensome.
"For example, a farmer would have to fill out forms for each planting season for:
• seed,
• fertilizer,
• diesel,
• maintenance parts, and
• pesticides.
"This is for every crop and may deal with multiple entities in each of these categories.
"Additionally, this reporting requirement will drive up the administrative costs for small businesses. The added expense means they’ll have less money to hire new workers or retain existing ones.
"Our farmers and ranchers need to focus on feeding a growing global population; our small businesses need to focus on growing our economy and creating job opportunities.
"They can’t afford any more irrational and unreasonable paperwork burdens from bureaucrats in Washington who know neither how to grow food nor grow our economy.
"I urge my colleagues in both the House and Senate to work together to eliminate this requirement that should have never been passed in the first place."
The Ag Minute is Chairman Lucas's weekly radio address that is released each week from the House Agriculture Committee.

White House Press Conference

“SCHOOL BREAKFAST DETECTIVES” NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK CAMPAIGN HELPS STUDENTS CLUE INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY SCHOOL BREAKFASTS

“SCHOOL BREAKFAST DETECTIVES”
NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK CAMPAIGN HELPS STUDENTS CLUE INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY SCHOOL BREAKFASTS

SCHOOLS FIND NEW WAYS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO BREAKFAST SERVICE

National Harbor, MD (March 3, 2011) – Next week, school districts across the nation will celebrate National School Breakfast Week (March 7-11) by hosting “School Breakfast Detectives,” a fun, private-eye themed campaign allowing students to clue into the importance of school breakfast and uncover how eating school breakfast sets you up for a busy day at school.

Created by the non-profit School Nutrition Association with support from General Mills Foodservice, National Dairy Council and The US Highbush Blueberry Council, “School Breakfast Detectives” will allow students to join characters Cassie Day and Marlowe Darrington on the Search for Super Energy! Student sleuths will be able to develop creative designs for the “School Breakfast Detectives” book cover contest and sharpen their investigative skills with a number of nutrition puzzles. Most importantly, “School Breakfast Detectives” will get kids excited about healthy breakfasts.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the link between breakfast and academic achievement – from students’ memory and test scores to school attendance. Yet too many children miss out on the most critical meal of the day. The Food Research Action Center has found that less than half (47.2 percent) of low-income children who received school lunch also participated in the breakfast program.

Fortunately, schools are finding new ways to reach children in need of a healthy breakfast. School Nutrition Association has found that since 2002, participation in the School Breakfast Program has increased by 43 percent as schools have begun overcoming the logistical and timing challenges to breakfast service. In SNA’s new “Growing School Breakfast Participation” report, research reveals that many schools are now offering breakfast in grab ‘n’ go bags or hallway kiosks, or they are serving breakfast in the classroom.

“Every school day, the School Breakfast Program fuels more than 11 million students for success. The program is crucial to children eligible for free and reduced price meals, but it also offers a helping hand to busy parents who struggle to convince their kids to make time for breakfast before leaving for school,” said SNA President Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS.

Every school breakfast is required to meet federal nutrition standards limiting fat and portion size and ensuring that each meal offers the necessary energy to start a day of learning. Breakfasts provide 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance of protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and calories.

The National School Breakfast Program was established in 1966. Since 1989, National School Breakfast Week has been raising awareness of the program and the links between eating a good breakfast, academic achievement and healthy lifestyles.

FOODCHANNEL.COM PREDICTS 2011 TOP TEN BREAKFAST TRENDS

FOODCHANNEL.COM PREDICTS
2011 TOP TEN BREAKFAST TRENDS
What’s happening with the most important meal of the day

CHICAGO (March 2, 2011)—The Food Channel ® (foodchannel.com) presents its “Top Ten Breakfast Trends for 2011.” By partnering with CultureWaves® (www.culturewav.es) and the International Food Futurists®, The Food Channel has been able to identify the most significant food trends in breakfast for 2011, from energy drinks and fresh coffee prepared at home, to oatmeal served all day long.

“In our breakfast survey of Food Channel readers, one thing quickly became clear. Most of us still recognize breakfast as the most important meal of the day,” said Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel. “It’s all new, though. Now it’s OK to eat chocolate for breakfast, and we are eating our morning meal in two parts—grabbing that first cup of coffee at home and adding to it with something at the office. ”

The Food Channel Top Ten Breakfast Trends in 2011
1. Oatmeal in Overdrive—oatmeal is becoming a real mainstream staple
2. Chocolate for Breakfast—with its healthful benefits, chocolate is being promoted as a breakfast product
3. Fast Foods Battle Over Breakfast—the breakfast daypart has become the key battleground in the quick service restaurant category
4. Haute Coffee Comes Home—to save money, caffeine-seekers are opting to brew their own coffee at home
5. Ethnic Invasion—global influences start to creep into the morning meal
6. Beverage Choice Choke—breakfast drink menus keep expanding beyond coffee and O.J.
7. Hot Pizza in the A.M.—pizza is predicted to be one of the hottest menu items for breakfast
8. Breakfast Ingredients All Day Long—breakfast ingredients work their way into other parts of the daily menu
9. The Breakfast Two-Step—a pattern of people fueling up with caffeine and protein in a two-stage process
10. Eggs Crack the Top Ten—eggs to hatch a big comeback this year

Read the complete Top Ten Breakfast Trends in 2011 at www.foodchannel.com.