I love my healthy active adulthood and other headlines

Here is a link to a page with an hyperlink of the interview I had with Bill Marler Jan. 23. You'll already find the story from the interview online at The Packer site...

It sounds as if President Obama isn't exactly inspiring Wall Street confidence with new limits on executive pay for firms receiving bailout money.
Other headlines this early morning:

How organic is organic food? From The Appetizer in Canada:

Since it's left entirely up to the farmers to declare what's in their products, this lack of supervision makes Popoff skeptical of the entire industry.

"Everyone who is certified organic, pays the money and jumps through all of the hoops are going to say 'those jokers over there who are just organic, how do you know they're really organic?' My question is, how do you know anyone is organic? Even if they are doing the damn paperwork and paying the fee, there's no way of knowing," explained Popoff.

Right now, organic food is being held at the same level as conventional food, according to Popoff.

"It has to be a more stringent test. If organic is grown without chemicals, you can assume it's 5 per cent, if not less, than the amount you expect to find in conventional food. You need a threshold," he said.

China already in recession? Seeking Alpha: How it happened:
China and the other mercantilist countries (those countries that were maximizing exports and minimizing imports) were relying upon the United States to buy ever more of their products. But since the mercantilists weren't buying more and more American products, American consumers weren't earning more and more income. For a while, American consumers borrowed on their homes to buy imports. But when their home prices plummeted, they couldn't keep borrowing. This caused demand for the mercantilist countries' products to plummet.

Border opens to Alberta seed potatoes Capital Press

Florida braces for chilly night AP

Chile takes steps to revive salmon industry NYT

Shocking number don't know obesity causes cancer From Vital Signs

"Thirty to 40 per cent of cancers could be preventable if people led healthier lives, tackling overweight and obesity," Slavin added.

A global prevention campaign aimed primarily at youngsters has now been launched to deal with the growing crisis.

Called "I Love My Healthy Active Childhood," it aims to encourage children to have an energy-balanced lifestyle, based on a healthy diet and physical activity.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 22 million children under five are overweight today, and the problem is growing.

Des Moines Register: USDA suspends 19 from vet lab in Ames for illegal drug purchases

Bruce Springsteen's shoutout and the state of avocados

Talked to a SoCal avocado grower/shipper who smiled at the shout out from Bruce Springsteen at the Super Bowl, "Step away from the guacamole" Some other observations:

This season's California avocado crop is fairly light - about two thirds of a crop
Mexico is about 40% to 50% finished , but still has a lot to go through June
With Mexico supply at about 20 million pounds a week, California growers may not get the premium they want. "It's a different market out there these days."

Reaction from the CAC meeting in Fallbrook
Commission Chairman Rick Shade won praise for his handling of the meeting and fielding questions from growers, taking heat for all current and former commissioners. "It's our fault - we have nobody to blame but ourselves," the source said.
"The major stakeholders really know what went on, they know Mark, they know the culture up there at the avocado commission and understand it completely. We are all outraged. At least those larger packers and growers understood the situation - didn't like it - but understood it."

How damaged is the commission staff?
The grower shipper had strong words of praise for Jan DeLyser and expressed hope she would stay with the commission. "She is a first class lady, we've got good staff up there and we need to make sure we make the corrections, we answer the CDFA, we make those changes and this doesn't happen again, and we move forward promoting California avocados." Tom Bellamore also is highly regarded, the grower-shipper said.


The CAC will have a planning session in April, and the source said the group will look at how to reorganize. "We are no longer 75% of the market; we may be a third of the market in the future, what kind of structure, what kind of model is that?"

One question being asked: should the commission be all growers and no packers?

I asked if there is/will be peace with Mexico...
The source said Rick has gone out of his way to reach out to importers of Mexican and Chilean avocados. There is some discussion of getting merchandisers of various groups to work together.

The bar also may be raised for the Hass Avocado Board. HAB may have new responsibilities in generic promotions.

Kansas City produce promotions - Feb. 4 to Feb. 10

Food ad circulars this week in suburban Kansas City followed the value theme closely, with a splash of Valentine red. Hen House featured front page treatment of whole chickens (Save Money! Buy a whole chicken and learn how to cut it up yourself!) boneless beef chuck roast, 5-lb bag of Idaho russet potatoes at 2 for $4 and Chilean grapes for $1.18 per pound.

Price Chopper featured country style pork for 99 cents per pound and canned vegetables for prices at 49 cents each (store label). California Cuties clementines received front page treatment at $4.99 per five-lb box.

Hy-Vee's three day ad (Feb. 5-7 featured Tony's pizza at $1.99 each, beef brisket at $2.48 per pound, and fresh blueberries at $1.68 per6-ounce package, amid other deals for cereal and detergent.

Hy-Vee's Feb. 4-10 ad featured strawberries on the lead page and other deals for citrus, tomatoes, melons and salad inside.

The bugs of war - ecoterrorism and other top headlines

The Times of London splashes with a Drudge-featured article this morning about the bugs of war, and potential use of pests in agro-terror. From the piece, by Jeffrey A. Lockwood is the author of Six-Legged Soldiers: Using Insects as Weapons of War (OUP). Educated as an entomologist, he is a professor of philosophy and creative writing at the University of Wyoming:

The terrorists' letter arrived at the Mayor of Los Angeles's office on November 30, 1989. A group calling itself “the Breeders” claimed to have released the Mediterranean fruit fly in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and threatened to expand their attack to the San Joaquin Valley, an important centre of Californian agriculture.

With perverse logic, they said that unless the Government stopped using pesticides they would assure a cataclysmic infestation that would lead to the quarantining of California produce, costing 132,000 jobs and $13.4 billion in lost trade.

The infestation was real enough. It was ended by heavy spraying. It is still not known if ecoterrorists were behind it, but the panic it engendered shows that “the Breeders” were flirting with a powerful weapon.

The history and future of insects as weapons are explored in my new book, Six-Legged Soldiers. As an entomologist, I was initially interested in how human beings have conscripted insects and twisted science for use in war, terrorism and torture. It soon became apparent that the weaponisation of insects was not some quirky military footnote but a recurring theme in human strife, and quite possibly the next chapter in modern conflicts.

Insects are one of the cheapest and most destructive weapons available to terrorists today, and one of the most widely ignored: they are easy to sneak across borders, reproduce quickly and can spread disease and destroy crops with devastating speed.

A great strategic lesson of 9/11 has been overlooked. Terrorists need only a little ingenuity, not sophisticated weapons, to cause enormous damage. Armed only with box-cutters, terrorists hijacked aircraft and brought down the World Trade Centre. Insects are the box-cutters of biological warfare - cheap, simple and wickedly effective.

Am I being an alarmist? I wish I knew.

TK: Conventional pest challenges are scary enough without layering in the threat of terrorism. May diligence and our plant health defense prevail...

Other headlines snatched from the Web:

On the trail of tainted food From Newsday and Caroline Smith Dewaal

The company ignored 12 positive test results in a two-year period showing the presence of salmonella. Instead of stopping production and thoroughly cleaning, Peanut Corp. continued to ship its products to market when retests did not confirm the findings. The Food and Drug Administration hadn't inspected the plant in eight years. It's particularly troubling that the FDA didn't seek either the company's records or the Georgia inspection reports - information that might have prevented the outbreak from occurring - even after it found that some of the products had been rejected by a firm in Canada.

Putnam to run for Florida agriculture commissioner From the AP

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, who quickly rose to power in Congress after being elected as a 26-year-old, said Sunday he will run for Florida agriculture commissioner.

Putnam will file paperwork to officially enter the race on Monday, he told The Associated Press. Putnam will serve out his final two years in Congress.

"Agriculture is in my DNA," Putnam said. "It's my professional background, it's my academic background, it's what my family is involved in to this day."

Downturn diet Consumer Reports chimes in on the food budget. A couple of their misguided missives:

Buy in season:
That means no strawberries in December in Maine, when you'll pay for shipping from some far-off warm place. Seasonal picks include cherries, melon, peaches, tomatoes, and peppers in summer; snow peas, spinach, and strawberries in spring; and carrots, cauliflower, citrus fruits, and cranberries in fall. For a list, click on "Save at the Supermarket" from the August/September 2008 issue of our ShopSmart magazine, free at www.ShopSmartMag.org.

For produce, go frozen
Frozen fruits and vegetables, often flash-frozen soon after picking, can be more nutritious than "fresh" items that have sat on store shelves for a while. And you don't have to worry about the frozen variety spoiling before it's eaten.


TK: It is always in season somewhere, and the idea that consumers should "shop in-season" is one the great farces perpetrated on the American consumer. If consumers see Chilean grapes on sale for $1.18 per pound, they should by all means purchase the grapes. Also, there is not a love for Wal-Mart or hard discounters like Aldi in these stretch your budget stories; instead it is advice urging consumers to shop local and support CSAs. Come now, there may be reasons to shop local and join a CSA, but to foist this advice as a "downturn diet" is a disservice to the downtrodden.

Beetle could post threat to Florida avocado industry
The redbay ambrosia beetle, which was first detected in Georgia in 2002 and has been moving its way southward to Florida, could be a threat to Florida’s avocado industry, and to homeowners who have the trees in their yards.

Super Bowl success: Mexican avocados

Australia and climate change Is heat wave evidence of pending implosion?

Dole to sell 1,000 acres in California Coverage from The Packer

GM potatoes will be used by Scottish farmers within 10 years Biotechnology needed to help control blight since Europe is removing some pesticide options

APEAM's marketing surge pays off big Coverage from The Packer


Child protection services should be called in for some obesity cases, say some
"What we are saying is that we need to start having some options because we get to a stage where our options are running out and we are not able to help these families for whatever reasons - either the parents are unable or unwilling to follow the advice from the weight management program."

Bird flu in China claims another victim

Climate change may shuffle Western weeds

Rutgers Food Policy Institute weighs in on salmonella outbreak of 2008

Doug Powell of the Food Safety Network passes on this link to Rutgers University's Fodo Policy Institute on the salmonella outbreak of 2008. Here is the link to the 17 page pdf report. While the report doesn't draw any startling conclusions, it is another testament to the less than effective communications effort during the 2008 salmonella outbreak. From the conclusion:

Ironically however, the results of this study show that while the vast majority of Americans heard the federal government’s message to avoid certain tomatoes because of their possible connection with Salmonella Saintpaul, significantly fewer were aware of the warnings concerning fresh chile peppers than tomatoes and that the initial advisories concerning fresh chile peppers were targeted primarily to high-risk consumers.


Later...

A small percentage of the respondents said that they had washed or cooked their tomatoes to make them safe to eat. In their responses to future outbreaks, communications may be warranted from FDA and CDC that specifically address the adequacy of washing and cooking to render potentially contaminated produce safe to eat.


Later....

The data here provide evidence that the communication of the end of this outbreak was only moderately effective, with only some Americans certain that the warning had been lifted. However, by the time of our interview, only a minority reported not having eaten tomatoes since the warning was lifted.

Loving Wal-Mart and other top news for Jan. 26

I was in Wal-Mart today with my wife, picking up an order of photos and I struck up a conversation with a sales floor clerk. (I kept my high profile blogging status on the down low) She had much good to say about Wal-Mart ("It's the best kept secret," she told me. "It pays better than any other retail.") She told how well heeled suburbanites who formerly turned up their nose at Wal-Mart are now shopping at the store ("Where have they been for the past ten years?"). And she noted that Wal-Mart will match any advertised special, even in the produce department."Aldi has lower prices for avocados," she allowed, but she noted no other grocery retailer she visits honors the ad prices of competitors. She was such a great PR rep for Wal-Mart ("We get a bonus based on how the store does," she confided.) that I almost wanted to sign on right there on the spot. There is no more important customer to please than your own employee, and Wal-Mart has apparently accomplished that and more with Sue in Olathe.

Other top news for today:

Vilsack withdraws proposed $3 million cut to fruit and vegetable program From the USDA:
Vilsack also announced that the Department does not plan to implement a proposal developed by the previous Administration that would have cut more than $3 million from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, a popular program that promotes the growth of healthy fruits and vegetables.

Tough times for tators Coverage from Washington state and KEPRTV.com
Suddenly, growers and processors scrambled to scale back. Dozens of orders had to be re-arranged. And too few acres of potatoes were now too many.

"There's a lot of uncertainty because people don't know what commodity prices going to bring," Clay Allen said, a sales representative for Double L.

Then last week, processors quietly announced they were immediately cutting the amount of potato contracts. French fry demand was way down. They blamed increased costs, a weak economy and changes in fast-food menus.

The big three processors, Lamb Weston (the potato- processing division of Con-Agra Foods), J.R. Simplot and McCain Foods could cut back as much as 20 percent.

Local food plea to supermarkets (UK) From The Press in York

That is the plea from the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber (RFG) It argues that while the recession is affecting people’s shopping habits, buying local food “can bring significant benefits to regions’ economies”.

Jonathan Knight, chief executive of the RFG, listing the benefits, said: “First and foremost local food production creates jobs in the local community, which in turn will have a positive impact on future investment and opportunities in the area.

Future food items may be a challenge to copywriters From Ad Age
We want our food to come with compelling stories, says the Guru of New, aka Sarah Browne. A perfect example, she says, is Dole organic bananas, each one branded with a number you can enter on the company's website and be transported, via Google Earth, to where it was picked -- and discover by whom. The cooler your story (ancient herbs! Long-lost tribes! Rare harvest!), the better.

A seed in time Brief history and appreciation of the apple

Organic options From the story, on "why organic"?

"Basically I see it as premium fuel," Krieger said. "It's better for you. It's better for the Earth, and it's better for the animals that are involved." Studies on the impact of organic foods in the diet have been small and are not yet long-term enough to be a good gage, but the impact on the environment seems to be more immediate.

EU's false insecticide fears post threat to Africa

You might assume that the EU could demonstrate some threat to humans or the environment, that it had found viable alternatives to the banned pesticides and that it had assessed the consequences of this ban to farming, to food prices and to the poor whose only defence against disease is pesticides. But you would be wrong on all counts.

Farmer's market to fight obesity, diabetes From the UPI in Brownsville, Texas:
A voucher system, funded by a grant by the Texas Department of State Health Services, allows low-income families to receive $10 in vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.The vouchers can go a long way at the market.

Citrus workers imperiled by carbon monoxide forklift apparently left running was the cause.

Obama promises to lead the world on climate change yet some say some damage from climate change is irreversible. Will that fact make more or less eager to sacrifice our lifestyles for lower CO2 emissions?

New Rio Queen citrus packing shed to open soon in south Texas

Two grocery stores label with nutritional information

Markets solve the immigration problem Sort of.

Vilsack promises to tackle food safety


More cheery news here: California controller discusses budget deficit.


Chile retail sales tumble 9% in December

Roubini: the worst is not over

Retail sales figures just published, Roubini reckons, demonstrate that the debt-burdened U.S. consumer is now panicking as job losses, income losses, declines in home wealth, and a severe credit crunch take a severe toll on their ability to spend.

"The reduction in spending and deleveraging of the U.S. consumer will take years to rebuild," said Roubini.

Economic stimulus and contraceptives - the weekend update

The idea that stimulus package pushed by the Democrats has hundreds of millions for contraceptives and family planning is astounding. How does this create jobs? How does this get the economy moving? Aren't people our greatest resource? From Drudge today, this exchange:

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi boldly defended a move to add birth control funding to the new economic "stimulus" package, claiming "contraception will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."

Pelosi, the mother of 5 children and 6 grandchildren, who once said, "Nothing in my life will ever, ever compare to being a mom," seemed to imply babies are somehow a burden on the treasury.

The revelation came during an exchange Sunday morning on ABC's THIS WEEK.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?

PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that?

PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy.


TK. Can't buy Pelosi's argument. This has got to go if the stimulus package advances, IMHO.

More headlines snatched from the Web over the weekend:

Florida citrus faces tax war From The Ledger: It appears the industry is on the horns of a dilemma, a Hobson's choice that may leave it no alternative but to leave the idea of an import tax alone.

Florida Department of Citrus officials have been warned a proposed new tax on orange juice imports faces a certain legal challenge, but foreign importers have threatened a much bigger fight against the federal tariff on OJ imports if the Florida Legislature approves the new tax.
Later...

Citrus Department officials have asked Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, to sponsor the new imports tax bill, but he told The Ledger he is reluctant because of a threat to the federal tariff on OJ imports.

"I'm concerned if the efforts to collect the tax could jeopardize the federal tariff," he said. "I'm trying to understand where everybody is and the relative risk."

The federal government collects a tariff equal to almost 30 cents a gallon on OJ imports to the U.S.

Without the tariff, Florida citrus growers say, Brazilian juice processors could undercut the price of orange juice from Florida and drive them out of business.

Green light specials, now at Wal-Mart From the NYT: Good story taking the measure of Wal-Mart's sustainability efforts in recent years, and reference to the irresistible low hanging fruit. From the story:

While environmentalists give Wal-Mart kudos for the changes it has made, they say that much of what it has achieved so far amounts to collecting low-hanging fruit. The company sells tens of thousands of products, and has demanded the overhaul of only a handful, they say. “

Seven Houston pallet firm officials face immigration charges From The Houston Chronicle

Seven executives and managers at IFCO, a Houston-based pallet company, were charged Friday with conspiring between 2003 and 2006 to harbor illegal immigrants.

Honey bees could be in short supply Calif. almonds at risk?

Mapping out pesticide use Maine considers a controversial proposal to allow public to search an online database to see where and when farmers applied pesticides.

Asian psyllid threatens Calif. citrus From the LA Times
The psyllid alone won't hurt California orange groves. The threat comes when the bug lands on a tree already infected with the bacterium that causes the greening disease, also known as huanglongbing or yellow dragon disease. It will feed on the diseased tree and then carry the pathogen to nearby trees. The psyllid will reproduce -- like aphids, they are asexual and don't need to find a mate -- creating whole colonies of citrus greening carriers.

State and local inspectors are tracking the bug, hoping that it doesn't find a citrus tree already infected with the disease, which has no cure.

Citrus pest moving closer to Yuma County From The Yuma Sun
Found in Tijuana last summer, the psyllid soon was also found across the border in San Diego County. It since has been found in Mexicali and in Imperial County in Ocotillo, Calexico, Seeley and Westmorland. So far, the disease it can carry has not been found in this region.

WIC food lists changing to help with health From the Louisville Courier Journal
Kentucky is among the first states working through the federal approval process, which gives states a say in how the changes are made. New York and Delaware have already made the changes; all states must roll them out by October.

California farmers idle crops; veggie prices may rise From AP: Where are those homegrown deals when you need them?

This year, officials in Fresno County predict farmers will only grow about 6,000 acres of lettuce, roughly half the acreage devoted to greens in 2005.

That alone could cause a slight bump in consumer prices, unless lettuce companies can make up for the shortage by growing in areas with an abundant water supply, or the cost of cooling, packaging and shipping the crop suddenly goes down, experts say.

Rain not enough to fix water woes From The Mercury
With salmon disappearing, water managers and regulators must discuss how to balance salmon's cold-water needs with deliveries for cities and farms, according to court documents filed Wednesday.


Forget green! Purple is color of new superfoods From ABC15.com

Fruit / Antioxidant rating
1. Maqui berry Chile (juice) / 820
2. Acai berry S. America / 160 - 300
3. Blueberry N. America / 61
4. Raspberry N. America / 21
5. Grapes N. America / 14

It's possible: eating healthy, cheaply From Midwest Ag Net, another story about eating well and cheaply. Some of the ideas: buy potatoes instead prepackaged mashed potatoes. Buy a head of lettuce instead of a bag of lettuce. Whole carrots instead of baby carrots.

Penny pinching consumers boost German chain From German news site. From the story:

Aldi accounts for only about one percent of the entire $900 billion food-retailing sector, according to Jim Hertel, managing partner of Willard Bishop Consulting.

But the global slowdown is slowly but surely changing American retail attitudes, other analysts point out, making consumers previously wary about no-name private grocers adopt a more open attitude toward low-price shopping options.

“Private labels used to have a reputation of being cheap, but of poor quality. Now the quality and perception of quality have improved to Aldi's benefit. Then add factors like inflation in the last year and the recession. The convergence of all these factors are opening up peoples' minds to Aldi,” Hertel said.

Will big chill wreak havoc on Lake citrus crop? From the Orlando Sentinel


Our sustainable diet: how to start greening your diet The Wenatchee World


Meeting of the minds to solve Salinas gang issue



Which came first - the egg or the gourmet egg? From the AP

COOL under review and other top headlines for Jan. 23

This story from the NYT The Obama Administration may seek to tighten up labeling rules in the COOL rule, recently put under review by the new president.

President Obama has frozen an Agriculture Department rule set forth by the Bush administration requiring country-of-origin labeling on meat and other perishables. Opponents of the rule say that by allowing meat produced in domestic facilities that also process animals from abroad to carry a "multicountry" designation, it will blur the distinctions between U.S. and imported meats. It is expected that the new administration will seek to tighten the measure.

Here are some other headlines snatched from the Web today:

Citrus commission okays its own stimulus
The Florida Citrus Commission has agreed to spend nearly $7 million on advertising programs to increase sales of orange and grapefruit juices this year.

California stands to gain most from stimulus
In its current form, the plan would give California $4.46 billion for investment in water, roads, public transportation, highways and bridges, according to the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Fitch downgrades Dole From the story:

The downgrade is due to growing uncertainty surrounding Dole's string of significant near-term maturities, the company's negative free cash flow and the absence of a concrete plan to repay or refinance its obligations.

California farmers slash acreage to deal with drought Some Central Valley growers have credit frozen until they can show banks they have water. Processing tomato acreage to be cut, plus lettuce and melons. From the San Jose Mercury News:

Computer models of the state's parched reservoirs and this year's patchy snowfall showed shortages so extreme that federal officials could slash supplies down to zero, managers at the Westlands Water District told their members in an emergency conference call.

Costa Rica backs Ecuador in battle against EU From the Tico Times:

Ecuador and Costa Rica, the world's second- and third-largest banana exporters respectively, after Philippines, have condemned the EU's preferential treatment toward former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific in allowing duty-free, quota-free access into the European market, while maintaining tariffs for Latin American countries.

Last year, countries in this region signed an agreement with the EU that says Europe would reduce its tax on bananas imported from Latin America from €176 ($229) to €114 ($148) a ton from 2009 to 2014.

The tariff was supposed to drop to €148 ($193) on Jan. 1, but the EU argued that the agreement was no longer binding as it was reached during a Doha round that broke down. Ruiz said the issue will be key during a meeting between Central American trade officials and the European Commission representative Catherine Ashton set for Monday in Brussels, Belgium.

Public yawns at climate change Just as I suspected. From The New Republic:
Andy Revkin passes along a new Pew report showing that very few people seem to care much about global warming—just 30 percent of respondents listed it as a "top priority," down from 38 percent two years ago.


Even good borrowers may face foreclosure soon From The Dallas Morning News

During the next couple of years, loans on billions of dollars in local commercial properties will expire, and the owners will have to find new financing.Unless the lenders change their approach, they can expect to foreclose on hundreds of local commercial properties.

A stimulus package for the world Economic crisis has already pushed 100 million into poverty, NYT says.

Wal-Mart completes takeover of Chilean grocer its biggest acquisition in Latin America

Wal-Mart's green store prototypes

Massachusetts f/v snack program feature

"Our students were thrilled to learn about the fruit and vegetable grant. The student response was very positive," Butts said. "We hope by introducing fresh fruit and vegetable snacks, our students will develop healthier eating habits and an interest in trying healthy new foods. With concerns about obesity and junk food consumption, this program has the potential to be a very positive move toward better health."

Fresh & Easy lets patrons shop for schools

Japan launches greenhouse gas rocket

In praise of pesticides Truth about Trade and Technology

There is still time to reconsider the EU’s ill-thought out new pesticide rules. Unless more people learn not to pillory pesticides but to praise them - or at least to acknowledge the good they do - there will be a big price to pay. The currency of that price will be higher European food costs and soaring death rates in developing countries.


FDA crackdown cuts back availability of Asian food for new year celebration

Exporters face new Canadian requirements Coverage from The Packer

Paying the price of obesity

Recent research by Adam Drewnowski, director of the Nutritional Science Program at the UW, has linked rising obesity rates in the United States with economic factors. The rise comes not from the amount of fats or sugars consumed, but is in conjunction with income level.

Drewnowski’s research found that obesity levels tend to increase as income levels and education decrease. Racial and ethnic minorities and areas of high poverty are also associated with higher obesity rates.

According to the study, the reason for the link between income and obesity is attributed to the fact that high-energy foods simply cost less to produce compared to healthier options such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Victory gardens to bloom again? More on the unlikely popularity of vegetable gardening. From the story:

During World War II, "victory gardens" planted at the behest of the federal government helped Americans cope with food shortages. (In World War I, they were called "liberty gardens.") By 1943, Americans had planted more than 20 million victory gardens and reportedly produced 8 million tons of food that one old film called "America's hid den weapon."

Now, in a fractured economic climate, a new victory-garden movement has captured the attention of people who want to lessen their reliance on mass-produced or imported food, reduce their carbon footprint, foster a sense of community or save on grocery bills.

Checking up on PP and other headlines

I saw that PP published again after a healthy holiday break (Dec. 25 to Jan. 7) . In the spirit of an industry cohort and friendly rival, I commend Jim for his thoughts on keeping things in perspective for 2009. Jim's sentiments on the blessings we have - apart from 401ks and cash cushions - were dead on.

Here are some headlines to account for the in the world of produce and the world at large:

Agriculture's next big challenge opinion piece by Marshall Matz and George McGovern
While critics attack Obama's Ag Secretary pick, a defense of conventional agriculture... From the piece:

We do not yet see the yields with organic agriculture that would feed a hungry planet of almost 7 billion people. During the recent presidential campaign, Obama, to his credit, often talked of supporting American agriculture, from the small sustainable farms that market to the community to the large commercial farms that feed the world. He was exactly correct. The Department of Agriculture should be supporting research into organic and sustainable agriculture. Clearly, we must be more sensitive to the relationship between agriculture and the environment. But to criticize someone for supporting all sectors of agriculture seems shortsighted.

Big organic behind Vilsack? Gristmill examines street cred of Vilsack

10 hot food trends for 2009 Cooking at home is #1, followed by good nutrition replacing fad diets. Fantastical, I know.....

Moody sees rising defaults Asset backed commercial paper market "in doubt" ; high yield corporate default rates to climb to between 10% to 12%

Kroger uses loyalty cards to target consumer coupons

Food Web site to link farmers to consumers in NY

Grow Montana a profile of efforts for a more local and sustainable model

New York governor speaks on epidemic of childhood obesity From the NYT

Mr. Paterson said he would seek to ban junk food sales in public schools and to lend state money to green markets willing to open in poor communities. The governor has already unveiled a plan to impose an 18 percent tax on sugary sodas.

Sam's Club exec to lead W-M Int.

Doug McMillon, head of its Sam's Club division, will become president and CEO of Wal-Mart International next month as the world's largest retailer increasingly looks overseas to fuel expansion.

Grocers, vendors brace for battle on lower prices From Dow Jones:
SuperValu CEO says the first 6 months of 2009 will be battleground as retailers ask for price rollbacks from food manufacturers. Same store sales decline at SVU.

Chile suffers big trade deficit Falling copper exports caused $684 million surplus in November to fall to a $224 million deficit in December.

SC employers advised to use federal database

Border patrol ready for anticipated illegal immigration surge

Price optimization software for HEB in Mexico Just like the U.S.

Mexico to grow 1% or show no growth in 2009

Over a half million foreclosures in Cali

Don't stimulate me, bro Peter Schiff not a fan of government intervention

National Retail Report - Jan. 2

From the summary of the USDA National Retail Report:


This week, almost all ads focused on celebrations for the New Year and featured pork, black-eyed peas, and an array of party platters prominently. In addition, many retailers were simultaneously promoting party items for many of the football bowl games. A shift in the main theme from celebrations to healthful changes and resolutions as evident in the ads breaking late in the week. Overall fresh produce ad activity was up 7.5% compared to last week and corresponded to an increase of nearly 16% in the number of fruit ads and a decrease of more than 2% on vegetables. The top 5 featured items were all fruits and accounted for roughly 44% of all fruits and nearly 26% of total produce ads. These included: avocados, cherries, Clementines, cantaloupes, and limes. There were significant increases in ad activity on peaches and nectarines as the supplies from Chile increased. Strawberries also saw a significant increase and on many occasions retailers specified their stock was from Florida. The most dramatic decline in activity was seen on sweet potatoes as the number of ads dwindled to almost nothing compared to last week.

New Year's Resolutions are bad for you and other headlines

Why even try? It turns out some believe New Year's resolutions aren't such a good idea after all. This story says that starting out the new year resolving to change ourselves merely encourages a negative self image and sets us up for failure. The story says to focus on the positive, get into touch with nature and give back to the community. Not bad advice, I'll allow, but will we ever be honest with ourselves if we can't see where we are, how much we weigh, what we owe - and want for a better day?

Here are some forward thinking quotes from Christian author C.S. Lewis:

The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.
C. S. Lewis

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.
C. S. Lewis

We are what we believe we are.
C. S. Lewis

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.
C. S. Lewis


Some headlines snatched from the Web:

Obama to face immigration test early From The Hill, the story
No match and E-verify loom. H-2A not mentioned

Whole Foods, FTC struggle doesn't make sense Opinion piece about FTC and Whole Foods-Wild Oats merger

U.S. produce checks could slow Canadian fruit and vegetable imports From JOC
new rules on Feb. 1 by DHS

Biosensor to make food safer coverage from India about nanotechnology research at University of Georgia

Grower chimes in on Calif. water woes

Aldi makes steady progress in U.S. From FT: The privately held chain has expanded to 1,000 U.S. stores in the central and eastern U.S. Started in 1976 with store in Chicago. In 2008, Aldi added about 100 new stores, up from 50 in 2007. FT reports Aldi plans to open about 75 stores in 2009.


Cheap food isn't cheap if you can't all the costs A columnist speaks up for local food

More on fertilizer scandal

Salmon crisis in Chile Update on battle against virus found on more than two dozen salmon farms

Avocado shortage looms Consumer press coverage of late spring and early summer market for avocados

Church foreclosures on the rise sobering story about dozens of churches shutting doors

Majority of Ohioans buy local Story says more than 75% of Ohio residents report they occasionally or frequently bought foods that are locally grown in 2006 and 2008 surveys.

Cup of cheer and other headlines

If turning the page to a new year can't make us optimistic, nothing will. Don't look for a pick me up in the following headlines, though....


2009: the year the economy changed your life And you thought 2008 was bad... this piece is not a cup of cheer we need for the new year.... by end of 2009, real unemployment rate predicted near the all time 1930s Depression high of 25% says one gloomy economist


Local food supplants organics and what's ahead for 2009 From the piece:

That fast food may not offer the best nutrition. But, sadly, some will ignore nutrition in favor of calories as money gets tighter.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a setback in healthy eating becomes the top food story of 2009.

Produce supplier saw recession coming From the Des Moines Register, some coverage of Brendan Comito, 41, chief operating officer of Capital City Fruit.

Two more stand trial in China milk scandal
At least six babies in China died this year and 294,000 fell ill after drinking milk laced with melamine, which is normally used to make plastic.

Colorado must plan for its water future East slope v. west slope

Mexico's economic troubles grow

Is sustainability the worst example of official jargon? From coverage of the Centre for Policy Studies report on "newspeak"

Few words have become more heavily used or abused in government or corporate affairs than "sustainable". It now occupies a lofty position in the towering hierarchy of buzzwords. It is commonplace today to stick the word "sustainable" in front of almost anything, to talk of "sustainable development", "sustainable transport", "sustainable housing", "sustainable communities" and so on.

And more...

Companies now devote large sections of their ever-expanding annual reports to voluminous
jargon-ridden environmental reports and updates with impressive sounding statistics and targets. Annual reports ballooned to a colossal size as the credit crisis approached. But now shareholders and even ‘stake-holders’ may be thinking that perhaps it would have been better if more effort had been put into ensuring a business model that worked than that the canteen coffee cups were made from fibres from sustainable forests.

Five tips to help families eat right on a budget in 2009
Fresh vs. frozen rekindled.."Don't assume fresh is best." ?!??!

Agricultural Prices - USDA's December report

October home prices fall 18% in 20 metro areas
The 20-city index is down 23 percent from its 2006 peak. Fourteen of the 20 metropolitan areas showed record declines in the year ended in October.

Parents accused of killing with kindness New UK program aims to reach parents and modify their behavior so they scare their kids skinny. Graphic examples of children dying early from diabetes, heart disease and cancer will be publicized, say report.

Earthbound Farm to verify liquid organic fertilizer

Chile threatens to sue disappeared tricksters

Nebraska illegal immigration bill to include E-verify

Economy seen behind lagging behind immigration renewals Cost of renewals seen as factor

Retail Promotions - New Year's resolutions

Here is a quick rundown of fresh produce ads for the upcoming week.


Wal Mart - Jan. 4 to Jan. 10
Fresh tomatoes: $1.50/lb
Fresh clementines: $3.98/3-pound bag


Hy-Vee Dec. 31-Jan. 6
Disney Garden oranges: .69/lb
Hy-Vee Garden salad: .68/1 lb package


Price Chopper - Dec. 31 to Jan. 6
Dole Iceberg mix: 16 oz/69 cents
Chilean Bing cherries; $2.99/lg

Hen House - Dec. 31 to Jan. 6
Blackberries: $2.99/15 oz
Blueberries: $3.99/18 oz
Cherries: $2.99/lb

Leftover pecan pie and top headlines of Dec. 29

The soon coming end of the holiday break is palpable, with our oldest already heading back to Washington state and our other two kids leaving at the end of this week. The time has been a mixture of gift giving, festive holiday meals, scrabble games, lots of togetherness and leftover pecan pie. In the end, it was a fun and memorable time, though not free of the typical relationship tensions and newly felt concessions to the reality of a more frugal Christmas. Now, back to the world of produce and politics, of recession and retailers, of apples and asparagus.

Organic farms unknowingly used synthetic fertilizer Big story from the Sacramento Bee about company that sold organic fertilizer that was spiked with a synthetic version. The company controlled about a third of the market in 2006, story says. No farm expected to lose organic certification, new rumblings whether other fertilizer brands sold were also spiked

Rough year for farmers Coverage from southwest Michigan

Employers busted by Ariz. hiring law: 0 so far landmark law difficult to enforce

USDA office of ecosystem services to facilitate future carbon trading to mitigate climate change

Homegrown food trendy When times are tough, the tough start vegetable gardening.

Coke rejects FDA regulation on labeling Issue of the word "plus" on diet coke product that has vitamins and minerals

Food labels made easy Chicago Trib story about reading food labels quickly, including a reference to the 5 and 20 rule.


DHS sued over e-verify U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others sue DHS because E-Verify program, by statute, is meant to be voluntary for companies...

State wage laws also protecting illegal workers Story about "Fish man" in Boston who sued supermarket for overtime he was never paid and won the case, despite his status. From the story:

At Super 88, the fish man said, he was paid both by check and in cash. The check made it appear that he worked normal hours and was paid overtime. In reality, he worked 14-hour shifts six days a week - for a flat rate of $6 an hour. The cash made up the difference.

Recession slices into Vegas October stats show lower numbers of visitors, hotel occupancy and conventions.

Biodiesel project in Chile First commercial cultivation of jatropha trees in Chile, to produce oil for biodiesel.

25th murder of year for Salinas a record for the city

Mexican officer accused of working with cartels

How much would you pay for a hass avocado?

I was scanning through my emails and found a digest email from one of the discussion groups I belong to - this one about food and cooking. Here is the text of the opening salvo, with a question from Andy:


My favorite produce market laid an egg! They priced Hass avocados at $1.30/ea. where only two weeks ago they were their usual $0.80/ea.

Oh well. I have grapes!

How much would YOU pay for a Hass avocado?

Thus started a barrage of response from the discussion group members. Here are a few:

From Tammy:


I think I've paid as much as $1.50. I had a hankering, what can I tell ya?



From Omelet


No more than $.50 each, max. They are often on sale 2 to 3 for $1.00.

Any higher than that, I simply don't buy them.

I can live without avocados out of season.


Notbob responds:


Where the heck you at? Chile? Are you sure they are Hass 'cados? If so, you should be wholesaling them to the rest of the country! ;)


Carol writes:

I only buy them when they're under a dollar each, which isn't very > often. The current price here is $1.49 each. Too rich for my blood.



Peter writes:

If I saw Hass avocados for $1.30 I would jump all over them. $2 is a good price here (North Carolina).



Boron says:


Trader Joe's was selling guacamole "kits," that had two guacs, an onion, a tomato, some garlic and a jalapeno. $2.49 for the lot.

Great value. We were getting them 3-4 times a week when they had them.

Andy responds again:

The supermarket across the street from the produce market sells small Hass for $2.00/ea. They've been priced that high forever. After pitted there's probably only two or three tablespoons of edible avo. The BUMS!!!

TK: Interesting exchange about avocados, and how different consumers perceive the value sweet spot (in addition to other issues such as pit size, fresh guac vs. process, Calif. v. Mexican supply, etc.. For example, Andy said the more expensive ripened avocados were "priced to rot" - "not bad if you need guacamole tonight, but..." An interesting exchange about consumer perceptions of value and more proof about the need for produce marketers and retailers to engage and educate consumers.

Dec. 24 - Safely ensconced and top headlines

All the family is home and safely ensconced in warm confines of home. One last attempt at top fresh produce headlines before Christmas holiday....


First Chilean fruit shipment reaches Delaware port JOC reports

The year’s first shipment of winter fruit from Chile called the Port of Wilmington, Del., onboard Pacific Seaways’ chartered reefer vessel M/V Royal Klipper on Dec. 19.

Last season the port handled 150,000 pallets of Chilean fruit with a retail value of $600 million for distribution that ranged north to Canada’s maritime provinces and west to the Mississippi River.

Targeting obesity along side hunger Coverage from The Washington Post

But with hunger and obesity reaching unprecedented levels, some anti-hunger activists are beginning to soften their stance. According to a report by the Partnership for America's Economic Success, toddlers whose families have gone hungry are three to four times as likely to be obese. If the current recession resembles past downturns, the independent Center on Budget and Policy Priorities predicts, the number of Americans in poverty could rise by as many as 10 million, driving up obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

"It was a very slow and difficult transition for me and my organization," said Kenneth Hecht, executive director of California Food Policy Advocates, a Los Angeles-based anti-hunger organization. "What we wanted to do was get more calories to people. Now we find it isn't more calories. It's more of the right calories."

To that end, the organization lobbied for a bill that would create incentives for recipients of food stamps to purchase healthful food. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed the bill into law in 2006, but the program never received funding.

The debate in California attracted national attention, however. In the 2008 farm bill, Congress allocated $20 million for a pilot program to explore how to create incentives to purchase fruits, vegetables or other healthful foods in order to improve the diets of food stamp recipients and potentially reduce obesity. Several nonprofit groups and foundations are experimenting with similar incentives.

FDA changes approach to third party inspections FDA says it will abandon random inspections in favor of looking at high risk facilities. Note this paragraph from Federal Times

FDA will also improve food safety by working more closely with the private sector — but will not turn over inspections to private companies, he said.

“We’re not in the business of contracting out FDA inspections,” he said.

Instead, the agency wants to take advantage of the private inspection data that many companies already collect. Major food retailers, for example, require their produce suppliers to meet certain standards, and they inspect those suppliers regularly. Acheson said FDA could use that information to shape its high-risk list.

FDA is working on a pilot program with several major shrimp producers. The companies will send FDA information about how they certify suppliers; Acheson said the agency would periodically send its own inspectors to “look over their shoulders.”

TK: How exactly does FDA want to utilize data from private third party inspectors to create its "high-risk" list? Surely, such a strategy would compromise the relationships between third party auditors and their customers...

The Guacamole crisis How the water crisis is hurting California avocado growers

Groups sues to block use of E-Verify to screen out illegal workers Lawsuit filed against Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff by Society for Human Resource Management, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Builers and Contractors Inc., the American Council on International Personnel and the HR Policy Association.

Sunrise Farms sprouts recalled for salmonella contamination
Routine food safety tests conducted on the sprouts by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture turned up positive for salmonella, said the Wisconsin AG Connection. The Capital Times reported that none of Sunrise Farms’ other sprout mixes are included in this recall and that, to date, there have not been any reports of illness according to the Health Department.

2008 in review: Salmonella outbreak has nation fearing tomatoes Another top of the chart rating for salmonella outbreak in review of top 2008 news

Britain's slide toward recession accelerates GDP falls by 0.6 in third quarter, largest drop in 18 years.

Is a new food policy on Obama's list NYT coverage Foodies can hope, but....

Although Mr. Obama has proposed changes in the nation’s farm and rural policies and emphasizes the connection between diet and health, there is nothing to indicate he has a special interest in a radical makeover of the way food is grown and sold.


Wal-Mart labor settlement: preemptive strike against unionization

Dec. 22 top headlines

Be sure to check out The Packer's coverage (Don Schrack) of the Rabobank 2009 North American Food and Agribusiness Outlook. Among the nuggets:

“With this economic downturn, we may see a shift towards whole commodities or even frozen produce rather than fresh-cut,” Rijke said. “Fresh-cut is more expensive, and I think price will become more of a limiting factor in 2009.”

Other top headlines snatched from the Web this morning:

Fruits and vegetables a tasty ticket to a better life Well written piece published in Alaska

Crispy Green joins forces with PBH Freeze dried....is it wrong of me to think that "fresh is best?"

Editorial: childhood obesity Fort Worth Star-Telegram offer fruit and vegetable friendly editorial, reference to Aramark's Cool Caf program....

IFCO settlement announced From a press release, IFCO has agreed to pay $20.7 million in civil forfietures and penalties over four years, making this the largest corporate settlement in a work site enforcement case to date. This case related to a government investigation of IFCO in in February 2005 that illegal alien laborers at the Albany IFCO plant were observed ripping up their W-2 forms. ICE agents eventually conducted a work site enforcement actin at 40 plnats in 26 states that netted 1,182 illegal aliens at those plants.

Bending the organic rules in the UK Coverage from UK Times online that says organic farmers have asked the UK government for an easing of orgranic standards "in an attempt to survive the recession." As with consumers bracing for a recession and retreating from organic food, the instinct for self preservation among organic growers kicks in. From the story:

The drastic move by organisations including the Soil Association follows a dip in sales of organic produce and fears for the future of Britain's 5,000 organic farmers.

Sales of organic food slumped 10 per cent in the 12 weeks up to the end of November, according to the latest figures from the consumer researchers TNS. Overall food sales over the same period were up 6 per cent.

Organic certification bodies, including the Soil Association, the country's biggest campaigner for organic food and farming, asked Hilary Benn, the Rural Affairs Secretary, last week for approval to relax the rules for an indefinite period. They want their members to be able to use conventional animal feed instead of organic food concentrate, which costs double.

Limiting unhealthy snacks boosts fruit, vegetable consumption South Carolina study says...

Farm bank thrives amid crisis

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation seek USDA assessment of local food sourcing in Africa for school feeding programs

Homeland Security: Employers can't use expired documents

Target's customers revisiting Wal-Mart

Spain moves to restrict immigration as economy slows

Japan's export industries suffer

Recession shock shakes oil market

Chile's farming families

Chile retailer stock jumps on Wal-Mart offer

Dec. 19 - Top headlines

One of the harder to find pieces of data relating to U.S. supermarket sales is market share and changes to market share. ACNielson does not release those numbers, and I haven't been able to connect with IRI about my request.

Do any Fresh Talk readers have a link to any recent market share numbers for U.S. supermarkets? If so, email me at tkarst@thepacker.com and I'll share them in this space as well.


Food banks gain as holiday revels trimmed companies give to food banks instead of clients, employees

Monterey Mushrooms helps combat national Vitamin D deficiency Does the Vitamin D factor make mushrooms more of a staple?

The Sun Bella(TM) brand sun ripening process was developed through a collaborative research program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by exposing the mushrooms to ultra violet light, thus increasing the stable level of Vitamin D to a minimum of 100% of the level recommended by the FDA. Sun Bella(TM) brand mushroom's increase in Vitamin D does not include any additives, supplements, or chemicals and the vitamin D is stable--maintaining its nutritional value even after cooking or freezing. Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable that naturally contain Vitamin D--obtained through sun exposure the same way humans naturally receive the nutrient. Monterey's unique process is approved as organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers.


School take steps to give kids more fruits, vegetables

The program -- dubbed "Cool Caf" -- is being tested in 16 schools and resulted in up to a 50 percent increase in fruit and veggie consumption at several, says Cathy Schlosberg, vice president of marketing at Aramark.

"Not only are students eating more fruits and vegetables, but our staff is, too," says Andra Gwydir, principal at Wedgwood Elementary School in Florissant, Mo., which is testing it

Top food stories of 2008 rise in food prices #1, tainted milk #2, salmonella outbreak in tomatoes #3, locally grown #4, COOL #5, big food companies nutrient standards #6 and #7 jalapenos test positive for salmonella...
That ranking tells the tale; tomatoes take the brunt of salmonella outbreak, though jalapenos had the positive link.

Discount grocers win over shoppers Aldi has 1,000 stores by early 2009 and will add 75 more next year

Food banks report dramatic increase in demand 30 percent increase in request for emergency assistance

Auto makers to get $17.4 billion Ford says no thanks



Wal-Mart may try to open second Chicago store First store in September 2006, but resistance for labor unions has stymied

Mexico joins U.S. beef row dispute over COOL and impact on livestock sales to U.S. meatpackers

Economy impacting seafood consumption 70% of consumption occurs in restaurants, so sector is taking a hit; 2007 consumption was 1% lower than 2006, study says

Lempert's five trends for 2009 local food, downsized store formats among the five

Smart eating at the office from FreshDirect

Urban areas struggle to find grocers, fresh food fast food is king in south LA

Global economy to contract in 2009

Senate leader Reid revives hope for immigration reform

Changing face of immigration 4 part series of Miami Herald is worth a look

Biochar offered as climated reduction tool

Central Chile shaken by quake 6.3, but no damage reported

Produce promotions -

Here are selected advertised Kansas City area produce promotions from Dec. 17 to 24:

Hen House
Asparagus:$1.99/lb
Celery: 79 cents/each
Regal Comice pears: $2.49/lb
Dole 16 oz. bag pineapple chunks: $3.99
Green Giant green beans: two 12-oz. packages for $5
Scarlotta Red or Brazilian Festival white seedless grapes: $1.99/lb
Red raspberries, blackberries, currants or blueberries: $2.99 each

Aldi
Red seedless grapes: 79 cents/lb
Sweet potatoes: 3 lb bag 99 cents
Celery: 48 cents
Mixed fruit: 5 lb bag $2.99

Price Chopper
Washington red delicious apples: 79 cents/lb
Del Monte gold pineapple: $3.99
Chilean bing cherries: $3.99/lb
Scarlotta red seedless grapes: $1.99/lb
California Cuties: $6.99/5 lb box
Sweet potatoes: 79 cents/lb

Wal Mart
Navel oranges: 38 cents each
Pineapple: $2.84


HyVee
California clementines: 5 lb box $5.88
Red seedless grapes: $1.88/lb
Disney navel oranges: 79 cents lb
Cherries: $4.99/lb
Asparagus: $2.99/lb
Del Monte gold pineapples: $2.99