Food Day: Coca-Cola, Froot Loops, Ethanol Subsidies Among “Terrible Ten” Things Impairing Americans’ Diets, Health, and Environment

Coca-Cola, Froot Loops, Ethanol Subsidies Among “Terrible Ten” Things
Impairing Americans’ Diets, Health, and Environment

“Terrific 10” and “Terrible 10” Lists Symbolize Hopes and Concerns of Food Day

WASHINGTON—Organizers of Food Day have named the “Terrible Ten” factors impairing Americans’ diets, health, and environment and that exemplify much of what the grassroots movement is trying to address when it culminates on October 24. In no special order, some of the Terrible 10 include:

* Coca-Cola, the most aggressively promoted and widely consumed brand of sugar-loaded “liquid candy” in the world, has contributed mightily to the obesity epidemic. Each can of Coke contains 9 teaspoons of sugar.
* Froot Loops, a fruit-less sugary cereal gussied up with synthetic dyes, is one of a host of junk foods marketed heavily to kids. Kellogg is one of many companies seeking to kill federal voluntary nutrition standards intended to promote children’s health.
* Subsidies to companies that blend corn ethanol into gasoline, coupled with a mandate to market billions of gallons of that gasoline annually, cost taxpayers $6 billion a year. Using corn for fuel leads to higher prices for corn and foods with corn ingredients—all for a program without significant environmental benefit.
* White flour—used in bread, pizza crusts, pasta, doughnuts, cakes, burritos, cookies, and dozens of other foods—has spurred the obesity epidemic by adding evermore vitamin-depleted, fiber-poor calories the diet.

“This collection of terribles symbolizes some of the things that Food Day is trying to change,” said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit organization that is coordinating Food Day. “It’s time to encourage Americans to ‘eat real,’ which means ‘out’ with the Froot Loops and ‘in’ with real fruit. It means more food from farmers markets—and much less food, if any, from fast-food drive- throughs and vending machines.”

Food Day is a celebration of healthy, affordable, and sustainably grown food. More than 1,500 events are planned from coast-to-coast in homes, schools, universities, parks, and even in Times Square. So Food Day organizers have paired their Terrible Ten list with a Terrific Ten list of things that are worth celebrating, including (again, in no particular order):

* Water—humankind’s standard beverage for millennia—from the tap or filtered, carbonated or not, is a far better choice than soda and other sugary drinks.
* Traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets that are heavy on vegetables and fruit and light on meat and cheese are delicious and reduce the risk of heart disease and other maladies. Plant-based foods are also easier on the environment than animal products.
* Sustainable and organically grown foods build healthy soil and minimize harm to farmers, the environment, and consumers from dangerous pesticides, excess fertilizer, antibiotics in animal feed, and unsafe synthetic food additives.
* The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has challenged—and improved—the inhumane working conditions endured by many Florida farmworkers, showing that persistent, aggressive action can stop injustices.

Food Day is led by honorary co-chairs Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and an advisory board that includes author Michael Pollan; prominent physicians Caldwell Esselstyn and Michael Roizen; former Surgeons General Richard Carmona and David Satcher; nutrition authorities Walter Willett, Kelly Brownell, and Marion Nestle; filmmaker Morgan Spurlock; and Rodale, Inc. CEO Maria Rodale. The Terrible Ten and Terrific Ten lists do not necessarily reflect the views of members of the Food Day advisory board or local food Day coordinators and participants.

National organizations participating in Food Day include the American Dietetic Association, American Public Health Association, Community Food Security Coalition, Earth Day Network, Farmers Market Coalition, Humane Society of the United States, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Prevention Institute, and Slow Food USA, along with many city- and state-level organizations.

FRESH BLUEBERRIES FROM CHILE PROJECTED TO SET NEW RECORD FOR U.S. IMPORTS

FRESH BLUEBERRIES FROM CHILE PROJECTED TO SET NEW RECORD FOR U.S. IMPORTS

SONOMA, CA October 13, 2011 — Imports of fresh Blueberries from Chile are projected to continue their upward momentum this 2011-12 season, rising nearly 12 percent over the prior year to a forecasted 78,000 tons. More than three quarters of total volume is expected to ship to the U.S. based on data collected by the Chilean Blueberry Committee, an affiliate of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association. Chile is the world’s second-largest producer of fresh blueberries, and the largest exporter of fresh blueberries to the United States.

The continued growth of exports to the U.S. is attributed to growing demand among American consumers for top-quality fresh blueberries, combined with increased production by Chilean producers. Winter consumption in the U.S. is still one-third of what is being consumed during peak summer months. This year’s slowing of the rate of growth in U.S. imports, compared to last season’s 44 percent increase, is the anticipated result of lower production after last season’s super crop, coupled with increasing demand from the frozen and industrial markets.

“North Americans recognize the many health benefits of fresh blueberries and appreciate the wonderful flavor and versatility they bring to the table. Thanks to Chile’s counter-seasonal production cycle, consumers may enjoy these ‘Little Blue Dynamos*’ year round,” said Tom Tjerandsen, Managing Director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, North America.

According to the Chilean Blueberry Committee, production will continue to increase in future years, as Chile adds production capacity. Approximately 18 percent of Chile’s current planted area is not yet in full production, and 31 percent has not reached full maturity, so roughly half of all blueberry farmers will be increasing output in the next several years, expecting to reach 110,000 to 120,000 tons by 2015/16.

Tjerandsen pointed out that, since Chile’s growing season is opposite the U.S. season, Chilean producers are able to provide a consistent supply of high-quality fresh blueberries during the winter months, when U.S. producers are between their harvest seasons. That way, Chile doesn’t compete directly with U.S. producers, but helps build the market for both the domestic and Chilean blueberry farmers.

To support all of this production growth, the Chilean Blueberry Committee is undertaking an aggressive promotion campaign in major U.S. markets, positioning their product as “Little Blue Dynamos*” by promoting their health and flavor message through trade and consumer marketing initiatives.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee, an organization linked to the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association, aims to increase the long-term competitiveness of the Chilean fresh blueberry industry and to develop multiple international markets for fresh blueberries from Chile. Chile is currently the second largest producer of cultivated blueberries at a global scale and also the leading grower in the southern hemisphere. More information about Chilean blueberries is available at www.chileanblueberrycommittee.com (click on the British Flag at the bottom for English).

USDA Announces 2011 Farmers Market Promotion Program Awards

USDA Announces 2011 Farmers Market Promotion Program Awards

Washington, DC October 13, 2011 – Today USDA announced the recipients of this year’s Farmers Market Promotion Program awards. The 2011 awards span 149 projects in 42 States and the District of Columbia and total $9.2 million in funding.

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) aims to increase and strengthen direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels. Through a competitive grants application process, FMPP funds marketing proposals not only for farmers markets but also for community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, roadside stands, agritourism, and other direct marketing strategies. For example, the 2011 FMPP awards include funding for 38 new and existing CSAs as well as 20 agritourism projects.

In fostering market promotion, FMPP also boosts farm income and stimulates economic development. Commenting on their 2011 FMPP award, Bob Junk with Fay-Penn Economic Development Council (an NSAC member group) in Uniontown, PA explains: “This award will allow us to sustain the six farmers markets we developed in the last year and a half and to develop future farmers markets, thus helping farmers and ranchers get a higher net return for their produce and giving consumers the opportunity and access to fresh, locally grown food.”

Within FMPP, there is currently a minimum funding set-aside of 10 percent for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) projects. EBT is the mechanism by which participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, receive monthly benefits. Twenty-four percent of this year’s projects have an EBT component. In total, 17 new and 20 existing EBT projects were funded, including the first FMPP-funded EBT project for a pick-your-own operation.

Future Harvest – Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, an NSAC member group based in Maryland, is among the funded EBT projects for 2011. Highlighting the consumer and producer benefits of connecting SNAP participants with direct marketing outlets, Future Harvest-CASA Executive Director Alice Chalmers notes that “Thanks to this award, Marylanders in both rural and urban communities of all incomes will have increased ability to access local healthy food at their local farmers markets, and our local producers will benefit from a larger demand for their products.”

Along with increasing farm income and consumer access, USDA’s press release explains that “[i]ncreasing healthy food access in food deserts and low-income communities was a priority for the 2011 FMPP awards.” In sum, 64 percent of awarded projects in 2011 address these program priorities.

This year’s FMPP award to the Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) of Minnesota, another NSAC member group, is but one example of food access priority and the utility of FMPP awards in serving ranchers and in addressing infrastructure gaps. Explains SFA Executive Director John Mesko, “The current lack of USDA and/or state-inspected meat processing facilities contributes to this region’s status as a food desert. This project will help expand the meat processing infrastructure in Northern Minnesota so people in the region can access locally-raised, lean meat directly from area farmers.”

Since the Farmers Market Promotion Program began in 2006, over $23 million in projects have been funded. Currently, funding for FMPP is set to end in 2012, when the current Farm Bill expires. NSAC will advocate to re-fund and increase funding for the program during the next farm bill cycle. Executive Director Jennifer Fike with the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan underscores the importance of the program: “The FMPP grant is a crucial program funded through the Farm Bill and is increasing food access and creating jobs in food and agriculture, which is the second leading industry in Michigan with an economic impact of $71 billion. Continued funding of Farm Bill programs such as FMPP is key to Michigan’s economic recovery.”

FSEP, an NSAC member group, received an FMPP award this year to support the Tilian Farm Development Center, who along with the Ann Arbor Township and other partners, is providing infrastructure and resources for beginning farmers, furthering the Township’s goal of enhancing farming operations to encourage the production of food for local markets.

NSAC is calling on Congress to renew and expand funding for this program as it starts to draft the 2012 Farm Bill. Illustrating need and demand for the program, this year USDA could only fund about one-third of the 397 project applications, which totaled over $30 million in requested funding. NSAC also advocates for leveling the playing field for EBT at direct marketing outlets. Rather than relying on FMPP and private funders, we urge Congress to provide farmers markets, CSAs, roadside stands, and other wireless outlets with EBT access through the same funding stream as grocery stores and corner stores.

In addition to the aforementioned awardees, NSAC congratulates our members the Ecological Farming Association in California, Florida Organic Growers, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association in both New York and Vermont for receiving FMPP awards this year.

Georgia Blueberry Commission Promotes Sweet Georgia Blues — Ready to take on the 2012 Season

Georgia Blueberry Commission
Promotes Sweet Georgia Blues — Ready to take on the 2012 Season


Waycross, GA -- (Thursday, October 13, 2011) -- The promotion and education of Georgia blueberries by the Georgia Blueberry Commission continues to move full-steam ahead as the third-largest producing state of blueberries is poised to grow even further in 2012.

With an exciting new marketing campaign that includes representation by Southern Living cookbook author and chef, Rebecca Lang, as well as a relationship with a widely-followed Georgia-based blogger, Denise Sawyer, at www.wholesomemommy.com — the Georgia Blueberry Commission is aggressively moving forward with their 2011-2012 marketing program. Anxious to keep meeting the high-demand of blueberries among trade and consumer audiences, the Commission is ready to make more of a mark for “Sweet Georgia Blues” than ever before.

Georgia boasts more than 14,000 acres of blueberries, has the longest season (from April through July), and is consistently putting out a delicious, high-quality product.

“With roughly 400 blueberry growers in the state of Georgia, we keep putting out an extremely good product. We are in high-demand and while the records report that we have 14,000 acres planted, we in the industry think it’s more like 20,000-22,000 acres actually in the dirt,” notes commission chairman, Joe Cornelius, Jr. “We feel we have yet to see our full potential.”

In 2010, Georgia produced 52 million lbs of blueberries. Demand continues to grow and the Commission continues to cultivate relationships, consistently turn out a good product and raise the bar on promotion and education. With all this in store, the Georgia Blueberry Commission has its eyes set on a bright future for Sweet Georgia Blues.

For more information about Georgia Blueberries, go to www.georgiablueberries.org.

USDA Reminds Native American Farmers and Ranchers that Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Open Through December 27

USDA Reminds Native American Farmers and Ranchers that Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Open Through December 27


WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2011 – Janie Hipp, Senior Adviser to Secretary Vilsack for Tribal Relations today reminded Native American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement remains open through December 27, 2011.

"Native American farmers and ranchers who believe they are entitled to funds under the Keepseagle settlement must file a claim on or before December 27 in order to file a claim," said Ms. Hipp. "Tribal leaders should consider advising Tribal members of the requirement to obtain and submit a completed claims package if they wish to participate in the Keepseagle claims process. Claims meetings are still occurring and individuals can also call the toll-free number and get assistance with filing."

Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program. The lawsuit was settled late last year and the settlement has been approved by the court.

The filing period opened June 29, 2011 and continues for 180 days.

Up to $760 million will be made available in monetary relief, debt relief, and tax relief to successful claimants. There are two tracks for claims: Successful Track A claimants may receive up to $50,000; successful Track B claimants may receive up to $250,000. The standard of proof for Track B claims is a higher standard than what will be applied to Track A claims.

Keepseagle class counsel is holding a number of meetings in the coming months throughout Indian Country and they will provide assistance to help Track A claimants fill out a claims package at those meetings. The dates and times of the meetings are posted on the Keepseagle claims website: http://www.indianfarmclass.com.

Claimant services representatives can also be reached through calling 1-888-233-5506. Claimants must register for a claims package (by calling the number or visiting the website) and the claims package will be mailed to claimants. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims process and claims packages are encouraged to attend a meeting and contact the website or claims telephone number.

This announcement does not relate to claims for African American, women or Hispanic farmers. Those claims will be subject to different processes, and information will be forthcoming in the coming months.

Under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, USDA is addressing civil rights complaints that go back decades, to usher in "a new era of civil rights" for the Department and to pave the way for new and stronger relationships with the farming and ranching community. In February 2010, Secretary Vilsack announced the Pigford II settlement with African American farmers, and in October 2010, he announced the Keepseagle settlement with Native American farmers. In February 2011, Secretary Vilsack announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers and he has made it a priority to resolve all of the civil rights cases facing the Department which were inherited by this Administration.