Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Thursday, May 31, 2012

New York City Move on Soda Sizes Praised

Statement of CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson WASHINGTON--Mayor Michael Bloomberg's pioneering proposal to limit serving sizes of sugary drinks is the boldest effort yet to prevent obesity, which is not only painful for millions of Americans but is costing our nation upwards of $150 billion in higher health costs annually. New York City’s health department deserves tremendous credit for recognizing the harm that sugary soft drinks cause in the form of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease—and for doing something about it. We hope other city and state public health officials adopt similar curbs on serving sizes and reducing Americans’ exposure to these nutritionally worthless products.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

USDA Proposes Additional Steps to Fight Fraud and Enhance SNAP Integrity

Announcements Highlight Ongoing Efforts to Fight Fraud in Nation's Most Critical Nutrition Assistance Program WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 - Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced new measures to further reduce fraud in USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the Obama administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste. The new measures will help root out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are invested wisely by giving states new tools to examine excessive requests for replacement benefit cards. Current law lacks needed flexibility for States to contact households for information about requests for multiple replacements, which in some cases may indicate fraudulent activity. "There are many legitimate reasons for replacing cards and the vast majority of recipients follow the rules," said Concannon, Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. "But we are concerned that a few bad actors are using replacement cards to exchange SNAP benefits for cash, commonly referred to as trafficking." Trafficking is an illegal activity punishable by disqualification from the program, fines, and even criminal prosecution. Over the last 15 years, FNS has aggressively implemented a number of measures to reduce the prevalence of trafficking in SNAP from 4 percent down to 1 percent. The proposed rule provides States the option to require SNAP recipients to make contact with the state when there have been an excessive number of requests for replacements in a year. The proposal lets States set the threshold for contact but stipulates that it be no fewer than four requests in the 12 month period prior to the requests. This will provide States the opportunity to determine whether the request is legitimate, or requires further investigation, Concannon said. States using the option must also ensure that they protect vulnerable people who lose their cards but are not committing fraud. The proposed rule is available on the Food and Nutrition Service website and will be published in the Federal Register for public comment in the near future. USDA continues to work with local, state and federal partners to root out fraud, waste and abuse in SNAP, also known as food stamps. Most recently, USDA sent letters to the CEOs of Craigslist, EBay, Facebook and Twitter to reiterate the need to help prevent the illegal sale or purchase of SNAP benefits on their websites. The proposed rule also codifies current policy that such attempted sales are trafficking violations. "We are committed to meeting the highest standards of accountability when it comes to protecting taxpayer dollars and enhancing the integrity of SNAP," Concannon said. "Americans continue to support helping struggling families put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely." Concannon also today released second quarter, fiscal year 2012 results of USDA work in fighting fraudulent activity in SNAP retail stores, tallying final actions to sanction or disqualify retailers violating program rules. In that quarter, USDA staff took final actions to: * Impose sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on more than 198 stores found violating program rules; and * Permanently disqualify over 366 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash). USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services is currently developing tougher sanctions and penalties for fraudulent retailers and next quarter will announce additional steps to ensure permanently disqualified individuals are not participating in SNAP in other states. SNAP – the nation's first line of defense against hunger – helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud.htm. For more information about USDA's nutrition assistance programs visit USDA's Food and Nutrition Service website at www.fns.usda.gov.

Monday, May 21, 2012

CPS Good Agricultural Practices – Irrigation Water Quality

Good Agricultural Practices – Irrigation Water Quality Discussed in Session II of CPS Produce Research Symposium Davis, California, May 21, 2012-- The Center for Produce Safety's 2012 Produce Research Symposium on June 27, 2012 is sure to feature a topic of interest for everyone. Agricultural water is recognized as a critical and diminishing resource. In recent years any examination of Good Agricultural Practices has included an urgent focus on the microbial quality of irrigation water and the potential for pathogen transfer to fruit and vegetables. Metrics and practices have been developed and some form of irrigation water testing is utilized throughout the industry. The research programs to be presented in Session II include a broad survey of irrigation water quality from a variety of sources throughout California, Arizona and Georgia. The presentations and panel discussions will help define the prevalence of contamination and examine a truly unique production region sourcing irrigation water from the Suwannee River watershed in Georgia. The potential for pre-harvest internalization of Salmonella in melons as a function of irrigation water quality in Central California will also be discussed. The session will finish with a presentation on an exciting mitigation technology that has shown promise for removing pathogens from irrigation water. Projects will be presented by scientists from the University of California, University of Delaware and the University of Florida. Translating food safety research for use in the produce industry is core to the Center for Produce Safety. This session and others will enable industry to fully evaluate the scientific findings. CPS wants attendees to walk away from this event understanding the importance of these projects and their application. ________________________________________ “As growers and handlers of fresh produce, food safety is the most important thing we do. Come to the CPS Symposium in June to learn about the latest research and ways to incorporate practical applications in improving your food safety systems. It is a showcase of the best thinking on advancing food safety in the fresh produce industry through practical research.” Joe Pezzini, chief operating officer, Ocean Mist.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Simmons: food productivity not keeping pace with demand

WASHINGTON, DC [May 18,2012] In advance of the G8 summit, Elanco president Jeff Simmons today warns global leaders that food productivity is not keeping pace with food demand now and in the immediate future. Food inflation combined with inadequate gains in productivity are clear indicators that our ability to feed a rapidly growing population is at serious risk without swift action. During a panel discussion with senior global leaders at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Symposium “Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the G8 Summit” in Washington, Simmons urged leaders to take action now to address the challenge of developing more efficient food production systems and pressed for policy alternatives that provide long-term, sustainable solutions to hunger, food inflation and food availability. “Currently, nearly 1 billion people cannot afford 1,880 calories a day and almost 3 billion live on less than $2 a day. These observations show that the time is now to make decisions that support the world’s growing food needs,” said Simmons. “We’re already facing significant challenges to our food system. They must be addressed today.” According to the 2011 World Livestock Report issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), by the end of the decade, the world will need to produce 20 percent more meat and poultry than we do today – with two-thirds of the need coming from developing countries. By 2050, demand is expected to grow by about 75 percent. Simmons used new predictions for eggs and dairy to illustrate the impact such demands could have on our food system. Egg Productivity Declining Challenge: Eggs are one of the most basic, affordable protein sources that people around the world depend upon. But, in recent years, production has been declining by one egg per chicken per year. If continued, this trend will require three times more hens (17.7 billion) to deliver the estimated egg needs required by families in 2050. Solution: Adopting new and existing technologies and practices that optimize animal welfare, health, and productivity can restore productivity to necessary growth levels – helping hens produce a modest 1.5 eggs more per year. Such a change in productivity would require just 10.4 billion hens to meet egg demand in 2050 – or approximately 7 billion fewer birds. Per capita milk availability is declining despite 2X production growth Challenge: Global milk production has almost doubled in the past 50 years. Yet, fewer people have access to milk today because populations are growing faster than production gains. In 1950, each person had access to 279g of milk per day. By 2010, milk per capita had dropped 14 percent to 239g per day. Solutions: The adoption of existing and emerging innovation to dairy production can help accelerate milk productivity to align population and demand growth. For example, China is targeting a near doubling of per capita milk availability to 156g per person per day by the end of the decade. Without significant improvements in productivity this will require 15 million additional cows, and a doubling of the feed and water resources currently used. “Given the right policy environment and access to appropriate technologies, I believe global agriculture can meet these productivity challenges,” Simmons said. “If you take the United States for example, in the past 60 years agricultural output has increased 250 percent while inputs have remained nearly stable.” Making Progress a Priority Simmons urged leaders to take action now and emphasized three clear priorities for overcoming barriers in inspiring progress and enabling people's access to safe, affordable food today: 1) Innovation: It is important to invest in innovative technologies that drive efficient food productivity to meet the growing needs of a rapidly expanding population. Innovation must start with consistent, science-based regulatory processes and public and private support is needed to assure that innovation has the ability to enter the market. 2) Choice: Every country, family and mother deserves the right to make their own choices about the food they feed their families and not live by the choices of others – particularly when those choices impact their children’s food. Whether it’s a Chinese citizen that wants to add more dairy to the diet as they grow in affluence, or the American consumer that prefers a luxury option, we must not make decisions that limit access to safe protein that meets consumers’ needs. 3) Food Trade: As the demand for meat, milk and eggs grows, the challenge is recognizing the impact a global market has on developing counties. Barriers to trade impact availability, inflation, and the price of food. Leaders should consider the global impact of policies outside their borders. The panel, “Agricultural Innovation: Getting to Scale” also included, Jack Sinclair, Walmart; Hugh Grant, Monsanto; Sam Dryden, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Dyborn Chibonga, National Association of Smallholder Farmers of Malawi; and Janet Chigabatia, Savanna Farmers Market Company. . To join the dialogue about how to sustainably feed a growing global population, visit www.plentytothinkabout.org. A copy of Jeff Simmons’ white paper, “Making Safe, Affordable, Abundant Food a Global Reality” is also available on the site.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Cornucopia: The Organic Watergrate

The Organic Watergate: Advocates Condemn Corruption and USDA's Cozy Relationship with Corporate Agribusinesses in Organics http://www.cornucopia.org/2012/05/the-organic-watergate-advocates-condemn-corruption-and-usdas-cozy-relationship-with-corporate-agribusinesses-in-organics-2/#more-5306 Cornucopia, WI -- The nation's leading organic farming watchdog, The Cornucopia Institute, is challenging what it calls a "conspiracy" between corporate agribusiness interests and the USDA that has increasingly facilitated the use of questionable synthetic additives and even dangerous chemicals in organic foods. In its new white paper, The Organic Watergate, Cornucopia details violations of federal law, ignoring congressional intent, that has created a climate of regulatory abuse and corporate exploitation. When Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 it set up an independent advisory panel, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) that, uniquely, has statutory power. Any synthetic input or ingredient used in organic farming or food production must be reviewed by the NOSB to assure that it is not a threat to human health or the environment. The Cornucopia report charges the USDA with "stacking" the NOSB with agribusiness executives that all too often have "sold out" the interests of organic farmers and consumers. "The organic community came together and actually asked the government, in order to maintain a level playing field and organic integrity, to regulate our industry," said Mark A. Kastel, Codirector of The Cornucopia Institute. "How many other industries have ever asked the federal government for tough regulations and enforcement?" In order to placate concerns of federal involvement in the nascent organic industry, Congress specifically earmarked the majority of the 15 seats on the NOSB for farmers, consumers, scientists and environmentalists as a way to balance the power of commercial interests involved in organic food manufacturing, marketing and retail sales. "Many in the industry generally thought this system of shared power, with regard to synthetics in organics, was working until we received a wake-up call at the NOSB's meeting late last year in Savannah, Georgia," Kastel noted. At the Savannah meeting a giant Dutch-based multi-national conglomerate, Royal DSM N.V./Martek Biosciences, partnered with the nation's largest dairy processor, Dean Foods, to muscle through approval of DHA/ARA synthetic nutrient oils. The additives, derived from genetically mutated algae and soil fungus, are processed with petrochemical solvents, grown in genetically engineered corn, and formulated for use in infant formula, dairy and other products with a myriad of other unreviewed synthetic ingredients. "All these elements of the Martek Biosciences products, along with outstanding safety and efficacy concerns, made them inappropriate and illegal in organics,” said Charlotte Vallaeys, Director of Food and Farm Policy for Cornucopia. "So after witnessing this travesty, we decided to take a closer look at how other synthetic additives have been approved for use in organic foods in the past." What The Cornucopia Institute investigation found is disturbing to many organic industry stakeholders. Since the NOSB was not constituted by Congress to be a scientific body, it relies on legally mandated technical reviews, by impartial scientists, of any synthetic materials that are petitioned for use in organics. Cornucopia found that a small handful of scientists, working for corporate agribusiness, supplied the "independent" analyses to the board. In one example, an executive for Ralston Purina/Beech Nut, Dr. Richard Theuer, authored 45 of 50 technical reviews during a two-year period in the 1990s. As a case study Cornucopia used the food ingredient carrageenan, a stabilizer and thickening agent that was initially approved for use in organic food in the mid-1990s. Theuer, and two other agribusiness-related food scientists, reviewed carrageenan without emphasizing its impacts on human health and the environment. Carrageenan, derived from seaweed, has been widely used in conventional foods for decades. "Carrageenan is a well-documented inflammatory agent that has been found, in thousands of experiments in human cells and animals, to cause harmful effects, and low molecular weight carrageenan has been recognized by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Research Council of the United States as a possible human carcinogen," said Dr. Joanne Tobacman, a leading researcher on carrageenan and its human health impacts at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Low molecular weight, or "degraded," carrageenan has been found, by industry research, to contaminate food-grade carrageenan. Other research has indicated that digestion, heating, bacterial action, and mechanical processing can increase the amount of degraded carrageenan obtained from higher molecular weight carrageenan. "Due to its unique chemical characteristics, there is no safe form of carrageenan," Dr. Tobacman added. "Those of us in the industry, who are committed to the value of wholesome, nutritious foods that has been the hallmark of the organic industry, need the NOSB and the USDA to carefully and impartially review synthetic ingredients like carrageenan,” said Michael Potter, President of Eden Foods, a Clinton, Michigan based manufacturer long viewed as an organic leader. In an effort to remediate this ongoing scandal, in a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Cornucopia demanded that one of the newest appointees to the board, an executive at the giant California berry producer, Driscolls, be removed since she was placed in a slot Congress reserved for an individual who “owns or operates an organic farming operation.” "We have seen the USDA, in the past, appoint an executive from General Mills, as an example, to a consumer slot on the board. This gross scoffing at the law Congress passed as a safeguard against corporate domination needs to end right now," Kastel said. "We expected better from the Obama administration. Either the USDA will immediately remediate this problem or we will defend the organic law in federal court." Cornucopia’s white paper documents the long-term abuse of congressional intent, by stacking the board with agribusiness operatives, an illegal practice that has stretched over the past three administrations. Another request in Cornucopia's letter to Secretary Vilsack was to reform the selection of independent scientists reviewing synthetics in organics, stating that the industry needs an impartial board and the board needs truly impartial expert advisors. "I wish I was making this up, but one of the newest contractors to fulfill this review function is The Organic Center, the nonprofit offshoot of the Organic Trade Association, an agribusiness lobby group,” Kastel added. "This is the proverbial fox watching the organic chicken coop." The Organic Center's board is chaired by Mark Retzloff, President of Aurora Dairy, a giant factory farm milk producer bottling private-label organic milk for Walmart, Costco and Target. Aurora was found by the USDA in 2007 to have "willfully" violated 14 tenets of federal organic law—likely the largest scandal in organic industry history. Other members of the Organic Center’s leadership reads like a Who's Who of giant corporations involved in organics, including four individuals associated with Dean Foods and their WhiteWave division (Horizon and Silk). "The Organic Center board members have worked, over the years, for many of the very companies seeking approval for use of synthetics in organic food," noted Cornucopia’s Vallaeys. "Talk about a conflict of interest." Despite these problems, Cornucopia's report is bullish on organics and hopeful that the situation at the USDA can be turned around. There are fewer than 300, mostly benign, non-organic and synthetic compounds that have been approved for use in organics. That number is dwarfed by the many thousands of chemicals used in conventional food production, many of them highly toxic and carcinogenic. "We implore consumers not to reject organics because a handful of corporations have acted recklessly and the USDA has failed to do their legally mandated job. Organic farmers, and their ethical processing partners, need your support now more than ever," Kastel added. "And health conscious families deserve authentic organic food." The Cornucopia Institute is collecting signed proxies, downloadable from their website’s home page, asking organic industry stakeholders, including farmers and consumers, to sign the proxy and join in the demand that the USDA operate the organic program legally. The growing dispute over synthetic ingredients is likely to be a hot topic at the next meeting of the National Organic Standards Board, set for May 22-25 in Albuquerque, NM. "We know that carrageenan is up for review at this meeting and we hope the NOSB will revisit their controversial decision on Martek’s DHA/ARA. We urge the board to take this opportunity to reinforce consumer confidence in the organic label," said Kastel.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Taste of Home: Move over Miss America

MOVE OVER MISS AMERICA, THERE'S A NEW CROWN IN TOWN AND HER NAME IS MRS. HOLIDAY Taste of Home Conducts Nationwide Search for Ambassador of the Holidays Spokesperson to Receive Role With Company and $50,000 NEW YORK, NY – May 17, 2012 – As we sit here wedged between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it’s pretty clear that America loves the holidays. According to independent market research, more than $80 billion is spent annually on food during holidays. That represents about 15% of total supermarket food sales in the U.S.* There are more than 65 million fans of Taste of Home magazine, its iPad edition, website, books, and special interest publications. They count on Taste of Home to be their go-to resource for the holidays. For example, website traffic at TasteofHome.com increases by 25%-40% before every holiday. Geared up with recipes and ideas, these women head right to retail to start their holiday food shopping. Recognizing the enormity of the holidays to peoples’ personal lives and the U.S. economy, Taste of Home has begun a nationwide search on Facebook.com/TasteofHome to identify candidates for the position of Mrs. Holiday, a spokesperson role at the company, which includes a $50,000 payment. “Mrs. Holiday will be a new type of pageant queen,” said Taste of Home editor-in-chief Catherine Cassidy. “She’s an advocate, an ambassador and an inspiration who cooks for her family to bring everyone around the table at the holidays. She’s got memorable recipes combined with a celebration attitude.” To audition for the role of Mrs. Holiday, women age 18 or older must visit Facebook.com/Taste of Home to enter a virtual pageant. There they can submit a video entry of no more than two minutes to show/tell us how they bring the holidays to life and convince us why they should be Taste of Home's Mrs. Holiday. They also should submit a signature holiday recipe in 200 words or less. The full entry rules and instructions are provided at Facebook.com/TasteofHome. All entries will receive a free chocolate chip cookie recipe as a thank you for auditioning. Unlike the Miss America pageant, consumers will have a hand in picking Mrs. Holiday by voting for their favorite entrant at Facebook.com/TasteofHome starting on June 4 and ending on September 7. Mrs. Holiday will be selected from among the top 100 vote getters by a panel of experts. Once officially crowned, Mrs. Holiday will be available to conduct interviews, cooking segments, and blogging, as well as to make appearances across the country at retailers and some of the more than 300 Taste of Home cooking schools.

Bentonville: drawing a trendy restaurant crowd

Dining in Bentonville is a Tasty Business By: Dan Warfield On a sunny spring morning on the downtown square, Cecil Turner was sitting at one of the metal tables on the sidewalk in front of his Station Café, the oldest restaurant in Downtown Bentonville. A lifelong restaurateur, the Kansas City native arrived in Northwest Arkansas more than 20 years ago, where his first local business was Grand Central Station in the Bella Vista town center. When he set up in the Bentonville Square on October 1, 1999, his new restaurant was the only game in town. The Kansas City native recalled that “there weren’t ten restaurants in all of Bentonville” when he opened almost 13 years ago just two doors down from Sam Walton’s original five and dime. The family oriented dining experience, with a menu centered around Cecil’s award-winning steakburger, has become a fixture of Downtown Bentonville life. The Station Café is no longer alone: Downtown Bentonville diners now have a lot of choice, with half a dozen restaurants thriving within a two minute walk of the Station. Has all the competition hurt? Not a bit, says Cecil. “Our sales are up over 30 percent over last year.” Like other businessmen in the city, he is pleased with the way things are going here. “The Square is greatly improved,” he said, giving credit to all the effort that has gone into making The Square an ever more popular destination, with particular praise for his neighbor, the Walmart Visitor Center. “Walmart extended the sidewalk eight feet. There even bought the outdoor tables and chairs.” Connecting With James Beard One of the newest downtown eateries is Tusk & Trotter, where Chef Rob Nelson is a leader – along with Downtown Bentonville Inc. – in linking Bentonville to the national culinary efforts of the James Beard Foundation (JBF). “The JBF’s Serving Up James Beard program is a nice first step in developing community programs to activate JBF locally, “ said Kris Moon, JBF director of charitable giving and strategic partnerships. “It’s an in-restaurant menu promotion that will be announced at the Beard Awards in New York on May 7.” The awards are “the Oscars of the food industry,” presented at a red carpet event at Lincoln Center. In Bentonville, Chef Rob will be “Serving UP James Beard” by taking inspiration from one of Beard’s many cookbooks to create new original recipes. One dollar of the price of each item will go to the JBF Silver Anniversary scholarship fund. “Bentonville is in the first wave of this new program,” said Kris, “along with San Francisco, Louisville and Miami.” Rob’s classical culinary training and intensive use of locally sourced ingredients underlies the Tusk & Trotter menu. As part of the Culinary Festival, four JBF-inspired items will be on offer: Beans & Cornbread, a Canadian Bacon Chop, Corn-Casserole Cassoulet and a JBF inspired drink. “We should expect to see more engagement with JBF in other Bentonville restaurants,” said Rob. He is already talking to other local chefs about supporting the Serving UP James Beard and other JBF initiatives. In Addition… Next door to Tusk & Trotter is what Carl Garrett calls “our own riff on modern Italian.” Tavola is one of the newest restaurants downtown. It is the second restaurant here run by Carl and his wife Lindie, who opened Table Mesa on the square as a “modern Latin concept” in 2008. Coming from a successful Mexican restaurant in downtown Seattle, the Garretts were looking for a place to grow. Bentonville was the choice after looking at several options. “When we moved here there wasn’t anything that was culinary driven,” said Carl. Now Tusk & Trotter has arrived, Pressroom, Flying Fish – a lot of action. A lot of really good things going on. We’re seeing more people coming to the area.” Both of their restaurants are thriving. Table Mesa is expanding into the space previously containing the Phat Tire Bike Shop – another downtown success story which is itself expanding by moving a block down the street. Phat Tire now lives next door to the Pressroom coffee shop – another part of the expanding downtown dining scene. Ken Vaughan, director of operations at Flying Fish, just off the square on Northwest Second Street, said opening in Bentonville wasn’t an overnight decision. But it was a good one. “We didn’t know what to expect,” he said, “but it was gangbusters from day one.” “The square is amazing. It’s electric on Saturdays, and I’m surprised at how busy it is at night during the week. We get a pretty decent crowd even after eight; the majority are families. His restaurant here is Flying Fish number eight. “We don’t operate like a chain. We want people to feel us as a part of the community,” he said. Flying Fish started in Little Rock and has locations in Memphis and Dallas. “Bentonville is a wonderful place for business,” said Ken, “I wasn’t expecting the square to be this cool. There’s nothing like it in the area.” Whether it’s one of Cecil’s steakburgers, a prosciutto sandwich from the Pressroom, bacon-infused ice cream from Chef Rob, a modern riff from the Garretts, a Petit Bistro lambchop, or an elaborate 11-ingredient concoction from Eleven at Crystal Bridges, Bentonville is becoming an increasingly tasty place to live. For more information on Bentonville’s burgeoning culinary scene visit www.downtownbentonville.org or contact Daniel Hintz, president of Downtown Bentonville, Inc. at daniel@bentonville.org For images of Bentonville, visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Pinterest page http://pinterest.com/bentonvillecvb/

ALG: Oil prices dipping, gas prices easing; does that mean economy is weakening?

May 17, 2012, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement on the easing of oil and gas prices: "By the Obama's account, recently he said that 'as the economy strengthens, global demand for oil increases.' So, now that oil and gas prices have eased, does that mean that demand is not as strong as everyone anticipated? Using Obama's own metrics, does that mean the economy is now weakening? "Contradictorily, Obama more recently suggested that the oil price spike earlier this year was the product of so-called speculators. He promised new regulations to 'prevent market manipulation'. But at the same time he warned that '[n]one of these will bring gas prices down overnight'. So by Obama's own account, his proposed regulations which never even took effect do not account for oil and gasoline prices dropping, either. Have the speculators suddenly stopped speculating? "Why are prices now dropping? Obama's tired worldview of mythical economic recoveries and speculator boogeymen cannot account for the real underlying cause for these rapid price bubbles: the weak dollar. When it appeared that the crisis in Europe had abated earlier this year, the euro strengthened against the dollar, the world's reserve currency, and oil prices spiked up dramatically. Now that it appears the euro may collapse after all, the dollar has temporarily strengthened, and so prices have dropped. "But the American people should take no solace in the chaos in Europe. The dollar is only 'strong' now in comparison to the weak euro. Should the euro collapse, there will again be a temporary flight to safety into the dollar, and oil and gas prices will continue to drop. But afterward, the underlying weakness of the dollar itself will again take hold, and inflation will ensue. "If we as a nation wish to address these rapid price swings, we must address the strength and stability of the dollar. We need sound money." To view online: http://getliberty.org/oil-prices-dipping-gas-prices-easing-does-that-mean-economy-is-weakening/

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Climate Study: Extreme Rain Storms in Midwest Have Doubled in Last 50 Years, Often Leading to Worsened Flooding

Climate Study: Extreme Rain Storms in Midwest Have Doubled in Last 50 Years, Often Leading to Worsened Flooding Report Details Major Storm/Flooding Trends in 8 States: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH and WI; Midwest Illustrates Growing Concerns About Climate Link Between Big Storms and Flooding. CHICAGO, IL. – May 16, 2012 – The kind of deluges that in recent years washed out Cedar Rapids, IA, forced the Army Corps of Engineers to intentionally blow up levees to save Cairo, IL, and sent the Missouri River over its banks for hundreds of miles are part of a growing trend, according to a new report released today by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization (RMCO) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Big storms, leading to big floods, are occurring with increasing frequency in the Midwest, with incidences of the most severe downpours doubling over the last half century, the report finds. Stephen Saunders, the president of the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and the report’s lead author, said: “Global studies already show that human-caused climate change is driving more extreme precipitation, and now we’ve documented how great the increase has been in the Midwest and linked the extreme storms to flooding in the region. A threshold may already have been crossed, so that major floods in the Midwest perhaps now should no longer be considered purely natural disasters but instead mixed natural/unnatural disasters. And if emissions keep going up, the forecast is for more extreme storms in the region.” In addition to region-wide trends, the report presents trends in the eight Midwestern states. For the worst storms (three inches or more of rain in 24 hours) from 1961-2011, the report outlines the following state-level trends: Indiana (+160 percent); Wisconsin (+203 percent); Missouri (+81 percent); Michigan (+180 percent); Minnesota (+104 percent); Illinois (+83 percent); Ohio (+40 percent); and Iowa (+32 percent). Titled, “Doubled Trouble: More Midwestern Extreme Storms,” the new NRDC-RMCO report adds several years of data to previous reports tracking the issue of Midwestern storms. Key findings include: * Since 1961, the Midwest has had an increasing number of large storms. The largest of storms, those of three inches or more of precipitation in a single day, increased the most, with their annual frequency having increased by 103 percent over the roughly half century period through 2011. For storms of at least two inches but less than three inches in a day, the trend was a 81 percent increase; for storms of one to two inches, a 34 percent increase. Smaller storms did not have a significant increase. * The rates of increase for all large storms accelerated over time, with the last analyzed decade, 2001-2010, showing the greatest jumps. For the largest storms, in 2001-2010 there were 52 percent more storms per year than in the baseline period. * The frequency of extreme storms has increased so much in recent years that the first 12 years of this century included seven of the nine top years (since 1961) for the most extreme storms in the Midwest. * With more frequent extreme storms, the average return period between two such storms has become shorter. In 1961-1970, extreme storms averaged once every 3.8 years at an individual location in the Midwest. That is two to four times more frequent than a major hurricane making landfall at a typical location along the U.S. coast from North Carolina to Texas. By 2001-2010, the average return period for Midwestern extreme storms at a single location was down to 2.2 years—or four to eight times more frequent than landfalling major hurricanes. The report also presents new evidence linking extreme storms in the Midwest to major floods, the region’s most costly regularly occurring natural disasters. The new analysis shows that the two worst years in the Midwest for storms of three inches or more per day were 2008 and 1993, the years with the Midwest’s worst floods in some 80 years, which caused $16 billion and $33 billion in damages and rank, among the nation’s worst natural disasters. The report presents new evidence linking the 2008 flooding to extreme storms, showing that in areas with the worst flooding 48 percent of the local precipitation came from extreme storms. In 2010, which ranked fourth among years in regional extreme-storm frequency, Iowa alone had $1 billion in agricultural losses from extreme storms. In 2011, which ranked fifth, Midwestern flooding caused $2 billion in damages. This shows how the Midwest is increasingly vulnerable to flooding if extreme precipitation continues to increase with human-caused climate change, as scientists consistently project will happen. Karen Hobbs, senior policy analyst, NRDC, and a former first deputy commissioner for the City of Chicago’s Department of the Environment, said: “This report confirms what most of us in the Midwest have known for a while; violent storms are becoming more frequent. And the nation’s crumbling water infrastructure just makes the problem worse. Most of our communities were not designed to handle the volume of water dumped by these epic storms. But green infrastructure solutions, such as green roofs, street trees and rain gardens, literally capture rain where it falls, helping prevent flooding and providing communities with greater resiliency to these ferocious storms.” Kevin Shafer, executive director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, said: “This study's results highlight real issues that have already caused significant pain and suffering in Milwaukee. We have learned that we can no longer sit on our hands and hope that extreme rainfall events are not going to happen. We need to explore new ways to soften the impacts of these events and to better protect our residents. In Milwaukee, we are adding green infrastructure to our landscape, reinforcing our grey infrastructure, converting to renewable energy for all our wastewater facilities, and educating our public about what they can do be better prepared for flooding. In these tight economic times, it is not a popular message, but, having lived through it, we understand that it is better than the alternatives.” RECOMMENDED ACTION STEPS According to the report, in order to protect the Midwest from even more severe storms in the long term, the federal government must lead the way, with broad, aggressive actions on several fronts: * Enacting comprehensive mandatory limits on global warming pollution to reduce emissions by at least 20 percent below current levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050; * Protecting the current Clean Air Act authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); * Overcoming barriers to investment in energy efficiency to lower emission-reduction costs, starting now; and * Working with state and local governments to ensure that green infrastructure techniques are fully incorporated into infrastructure capital planning projects. Green infrastructure captures rain where it falls, preventing it from flooding storm drains, overwhelming sewer systems, and polluting water sources. To accomplish this, green infrastructure techniques include planted swales around parking lots, rain gardens, rain barrels and cisterns, green roofs, permeable pavement and trees to help soak up or capture water. ABOUT THE GROUPS The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. More information on NRDC is available at its Web site: http://www.nrdc.org. The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization (RMCO) works to reduce climate disruption and its impacts. Visit http://www.rockymountainclimate.org to learn more. EDITOR’S NOTE: The report, related news release, and a streaming audio replay of the news event will be available on the Web at. http://www.rockymountainclimate.org/reports_3.htm.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 news

Hong Kong, 16 May 2012 - ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA welcomes new country Uzbekistan, as Central Asian grower, importer and exporter Fresh Green Agro (FGA) Group targets new markets in Asia and signs up to exhibit for the first time. “Our main aim of participating in ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 is to establish new partnerships with Asian countries and increase our stable partners in this market,” says Murat Kurshu, vice-president of FGA Group. “We believe attending such a prestigious trade show will open doors in Asia for us.” ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, Asia’s leading fresh produce trade show, is taking place on 5-7 September 2012 at its new home, the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. The extremely positive response from the market so far, evident in the surge in sales of exhibition space in comparison to last year, points to this year being bigger and better than it has ever been before. The latest companies signing up to exhibit include K Fresh (Thailand), Alquimia Fruits (Spain), and Locate and Grow (Singapore), to name a few. South Africa and Argentina are set to join Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Korea, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru and USA in hosting their own respective country pavilions and further showcasing their services and products to Asia and the rest of the world. This year more than ever, fresh produce companies from every corner of the globe are setting their sights on ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA as the gateway to success in the vital Asian market.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Lucas Statement on the Passing of Stewart Doan

WASHINGTON – Chairman Frank Lucas issued the following statement today on the passing of Stewart Doan. Mr. Doan was a respected agricultural journalist and senior editor of Agri-Pulse. "Along with the rest of the agriculture community, I was saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our friend, Stewart Doan. Beyond being a talented journalist and broadcaster, Stewart was just a quality person. "His passing is a tremendous loss to all of us who appreciated and respected his fair storytelling and analysis. His brand of reporting on farm policy and his role in our community will be missed. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues."

Friday, May 11, 2012

Grocery Manufacturers Association Statement Regarding HBO “Weight of the Nation” Series

The “Weight of the Nation” series sheds additional light on the important issue of obesity. We look forward to working with HBO and its partners toward the common goal of eliminating obesity in the U.S. and around the world. Obesity is a serious problem and everyone – industry, government, parents, communities and healthcare providers – must do their part if we are going to meet First Lady Michelle Obama’s goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation. America’s food and beverage companies enthusiastically support Mrs. Obama’s goal and in recent years we have accelerated our efforts to provide consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since 2002, we have introduced more than 20,000 new product choices with fewer calories, reduced fat, sodium and sugar, and more whole grains. Through the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, we have pledged to remove 1.5 trillion calories from the food supply by 2015. Working through the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), we have voluntarily adopted strict advertising criteria so that 100 percent of CFBAI members’ ads seen on children’s programming today promote healthier diet choices and better-for-you products. And in January 2011, we launched Facts Up Front, a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labeling system designed to help busy consumers—especially parents—make more informed decisions when they shop. GMA member companies are also committed to providing children with healthier meals in schools, supporting USDA’s recently revised nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. America’s food and beverage companies have a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and we will continue to leverage this capability to empower consumers to live healthy and active lifestyles. For more information, please visit the following links: Product reformulation efforts: www.gmaonline.org/issues-policy/health-nutrition/providing-innovative-and-healthy-choices/product-reformulation/ Calorie reduction pledge: www.healthyweightcommit.org/news/Reduce_Annual_Calories/ Facts Up Front labeling program: www.factsupfront.org Our commitment to responsible marketing: www.gmaonline.org/issues-policy/health-nutrition/responsible-marketing/

ALG condemns Rep. Hartzler for voting against workers’ rights to secret ballots in union elections

May 11, 2012, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson issued the following statement blasting Rep. Vicky Hartzler for voting against an amendment to HR 5326 that protects state laws guaranteeing secret ballots in union certification elections from being challenged by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): “Rep. Hartzler has to explain to her constituents why she thinks it’s okay for pushy union bosses to be looking over workers’ shoulders when they vote on union certification. The whole idea behind card check is to expedite unionization, and four states, Arizona, Utah, South Carolina, and South Dakota had the audacity to overwhelmingly pass state constitutional amendments that guarantee a secret ballot in union certification elections against such coercion. “Now, the NLRB has decided to sue two of them, Arizona and South Dakota. And under the amendment Rep. Hartzler voted against, the NLRB would have been prohibited from using any funds to litigate against any state on the question of secret ballot union elections, protecting employees from being bullied into joining unions. “Rep. Hartzler had an opportunity to stand with these states and worker rights against this assault by the NLRB to use the force of law to impose Big Labor’s agenda on businesses, workers, and states. In fact, Rep. Hartzler is not even a representative of either Arizona or South Dakota that is being sued, and thus had no reason to vote against this amendment, except to curry favor with local union bosses. Perhaps that is what really is at play here. If so, Rep. Hartzler has embarrassed herself and her constituents.” Attachments: “Secret ballot elections? Not if the NLRB has its way,” By Rick Manning, Director of Communications, Americans for Limited Government, Oct. 26, 2011 at http://netrightdaily.com/2011/10/secret-ballot-elections-not-if-the-nlrb-has-its-way/

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Peterson Statement: House Reconciliation Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today made the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012. The Act cuts $35.8 billion from nutrition programs under Agriculture Committee jurisdiction. Peterson voted against the bill. “Everything must be on the table if we are going to have a serious conversation about getting our budget under control. Refusing to consider large budget items like defense and choosing instead to slash nutrition programs that feed millions of hard-working families is not the way to balance our budget. Since we know this isn't going anywhere the only thing that will likely come out of this vote is an even more divided Congress. “The farm bill expires this fall and while the Agriculture Committee has a strong history of bipartisanship I worry that if we continue down this partisan path it will be far more difficult to pass a farm bill this year.”

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

American Frozen Food Institute Announces Staff Additions

McLean, VA – American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today announced the selection of Elise Cortina Fennig as AFFI’s new vice president of member services and the addition of Adrienne Richards as director of industry and public affairs. “The American Frozen Food Institute is pleased to further enhance its outstanding staff team with the selection of Elise Cortina Fennig and Adrienne Richards,” said Naasz. “Their considerable skills and experience will bring new energy and perspective to the creation and delivery of AFFI programs and services, and our efforts to communicate the benefits of frozen foods to consumers and policy makers.” Fennig joined AFFI in August 2006. She has served in various capacities, including executive director of the Frozen Potato Products Institute and the Texas-Mexico Frozen Food Council, as well as director of industry and public affairs. She also serves as executive director of the Frozen Food Foundation, a position she will retain in addition to her new role as vice president of member services. “Elise brings a great appreciation for the value proposition AFFI offers its current and prospective members, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting the frozen food industry. Her strong marketing and communications skills, coupled with her already-established relationships with industry players, are vital assets to AFFI and the Frozen Food Foundation.” Fennig attained her master’s degree in communications, specializing in public relations, from the University of Florida, and her undergraduate degree in foreign affairs and Spanish from the University of Virginia. She also is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management. Fennig assumed her new responsibilities on May 1, 2012. Richards comes to AFFI with five years of experience in communications and public relations. She was previously employed by the National Turkey Federation, where she served as spokesperson and manager of the organization’s consumer and foodservice public relations campaigns aimed at promoting the health benefits of turkey consumption. Richards will have responsibility for administering the communications and marketing programs of AFFI and its affiliated associations, including the National Frozen Pizza Institute. She will report to the Institute’s vice president of communications and assumes her new role on May 21, 2012. Richards received a B.A. in communications studies from Wilkes University.

Independent truckers say late-coming Teamster endorsement proves the EOBR fight isn’t about safety

(Grain Valley, Mo., May 8, 2012) – U.S. truckers came out today in strong opposition to the very recent International Brotherhood of Teamsters endorsement of a Senate highway bill provision, which would mandate that all long-haul trucks be outfitted with costly electronic-monitoring devices, also known as EOBRs. These devices are capable of real-time tracking for monitoring trucks and drivers. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, OOIDA, the largest trade organization representing professional drivers and small-business truckers, contends EOBRs are an unproven technology that will hurt small businesses and cost the industry more than $2 billion if enacted. The idea of mandating black boxes in trucks to monitor drivers is not new and has been pushed by big businesses for years. “But support coming from the Teamsters, who filed comments to the government in 2007 opposing EOBRs, proves that this is more about attacking independent contractors and small businesses than safety,” said OOIDA executive vice-president Todd Spencer. The Association views support of EOBRs by organized labor as a change of heart driven by their desire to ban owner-operators and replace them with employee drivers who can be organized. “It could open up a huge Pandora’s box with the IRS on misclassification of colossal proportions,” added Spencer. OOIDA also points out that another proponent of EOBRs, the American Trucking Associations, ATA, is disingenuous about using research for arguments supporting a mandate. “Considering that none of the research has changed on EOBRs and the ATA has attacked that very same research to oppose the new hours-of-service regulations, it leads us to believe this is more about trying to squeeze more driving hours or ‘productivity’ out of drivers, maximizing every second of the 70-hour work week, regardless of safety,” said Spencer. A regulatory version of an EOBR mandate was struck down by a federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit because the FMCSA failed to deal with the harassment of drivers. Noted in that ruling was the fact that no research has shown how such a mandate would do anything to improve highway safety. The current EOBR rulemaking has been estimated by the Obama administration to cost the industry $2 billion, as one of the seven most expensive regulations pursued by the administration. “EOBRs are no more reliable than paper log books for tracking hours of service and are actually a possible danger to our highways. We hear every day from truckers whose companies use the devices to harass drivers into driving more hours. Anyone who claims there is a connection to safety either doesn’t know, or is counting on others not knowing, and is actually selling no more than an overpriced record keeper.”

CSPI Urges Implementation of Recommendations in Institute of Medicine Obesity Report

Campaign Could Be Funded with Sugary Drink Tax, Group Says WASHINGTON--A new report from the Institute of Medicine is calling for dramatic action on the part of governments, the food and health care industries, and schools to help curb obesity. The IOM report recommends reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, something long urged by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. “The IOM report provides an excellent blueprint for solving America’s costly obesity problem. But policy makers will have to invest both money and political capital to convert the advice into reality,” said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Congress should fund a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year anti-obesity program that includes national and local community and social-marketing campaigns. That program could be funded with a significant tax on sugary beverages. The SNAP (food stamp) program should be improved by testing the effectiveness of excluding purchases of sugary beverages and providing a bonus for fruits and vegetables.” “This country has shown that it can solve almost any problem when we come together and make it a priority—as we have to cut smoking rates in half,” said CSPI nutrition policy director Margo Wootan. “With two-thirds of Americans affected by pre-obesity and obesity, this is clearly a societal problem that requires action by individuals, families, schools, health officials and professionals, governments, and industry.” CSPI called on the Obama administration to finalize strong menu-labeling rules which cover all foods at chains, including alcoholic beverages, prepared foods in supermarkets, and snacks at movie theaters. Food and entertainment companies should abide by meaningful nutrition guidelines for food marketing to children, according to CSPI. Restaurants should cut portion sizes and calories, make vegetables and fruits the default side dishes in place of French fries, and remove sugary drinks from kids’ menus. And all levels of government should provide healthier foods through their cafeterias and vending machines, stop selling sugary drinks, and price foods to support healthier choices, the group says. “The country has begun to address obesity, but we are still doing far too little given the tremendous burden it places on our health and health-care costs,” said Wootan. “It's unconscionable that we are still doing so little to help the two-thirds of Americans who are at risk of costly and debilitating obesity-related problems like heart attack, stroke, amputations, blindness, and cancer.”

Mothers Threatened with Criminal Charges Openly Defy Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Mothers Threatened with Criminal Charges Openly Defy Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farmer Charged Criminally for Providing Fresh Food to Mothers Minneapolis, MN, May 7, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A civil disobedience action and rally will be held next week to protest the Minneapolis trial of farm buying club manager, Alvin Schlangen. Sponsored by the Farm Food Freedom Coalition, customers and supporters from around the state and country will rally for Schlangen on the first day of his criminal trial on Monday, May 14 at 7:00 a.m., outside the Minneapolis courthouse. At the rally supporters will sign a "Declaration of Food Independence" and demonstrate non-compliance against what they deem "unjust" regulations. The rally is expected to draw hundreds. Details about the event are on the Raw Milk Freedom Riders website. Several Minnesota mothers who organize community access to local fresh farm foods plan to risk criminal charges by openly and publicly defying warnings from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The MDA has threatened several mothers, conducted investigations against them and sent them warning letters that if they continue helping provide fresh food to their friends and neighbors, they will be subject to criminal charges and prosecution. The MDA alleges the Mothers are violating food-handling regulations. Dozens of individuals who are disgusted with what they regard as MDA's overly aggressive tactics are expected to join in the same activity as these mothers. "It is absolutely outrageous that during this time of economic crisis our state government is investigating and sending warning letters to mothers and putting farmers on trial who are helping provide communities with fresh foods. It is my right to contract privately with a farmer for the food of my choice just as it is the right of every American," says Melinda Olson a mother and recipient of one of the MDA's letters. "The MDA's harassment against mothers will not work. We plan to ignore this warning and continue operating as we are. MDA should not waste taxpayer money investigating, prosecuting and jailing peaceful farmers and mothers for helping their communities secure fresh foods. Our time to stand up against this tyranny is now!" In addition to the threatening letters the MDA sent the mothers, MDA has brought charges against two local farmers for supplying their communities with fresh foods. Mothers who rely on the food and delivery service of one of these farmers, Alvin Schlangen, are facing loss of their food supply if Schlangen is jailed on four misdemeanor charges for providing food to his community. The charges against Schlangen stem from alleged handling of food without a permit, mislabeling food, and handling unprocessed, fresh milk, which is a crime according to the MDA. Pete Kennedy, Esq., President of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, who tracks farm-to-consumer direct trade issues nationally, says, "Nowhere in the country at this time is state action against food freedom and consumer choice more oppressive than in the state of Minnesota." Information about farm raids: http://www.FarmFoodFreedom.org For additional information on farm food and nutrition: http://westonaprice.org. Farm Food Freedom Coalition (FFFC) wants to ensure that America's treasures, our independent farms and ranches, are able to thrive. We aim to preserve our agricultural heritage and the future availability of traditional, farm fresh foods. Americans want and deserve the freedom to choose natural, unprocessed foods for generations to come. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund defends the rights and broadens the freedoms of family farms and protects consumer access to raw milk and nutrient-dense foods. Concerned citizens can support the FTCLDF, a U.S. based 501(c)(4) nonprofit, by joining or donating online at www.farmtoconsumer.org or by calling 703-208-FARM (3276).