Archive for March, 2009

Consumers in Ohio and elsewhere who are seeking to avoid milk and other dairy products produced with synthetic growth hormones will only be able to discern how their food was produced by looking for the organic label, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the leading voice for the $17 billion organic industry in North America.

1) Nestlé Waters Gets in the Organic Game

2) What is Natural? (food webinar)

3) Pistachios recalled due to salmonella risk

4) FDA recall notice for pistachios

5) and a dairy bailout

Under section 409 of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, HR 875 individuals would have a cause of action directly against those in violation of a food safety regulation, order, or other action

http://naturalspecialtyfoodsmemo.blogspot.com/2009/03/store-brand-private-label-memo-store.html The introduction and aggressive marketing of high-quality retailer store brand organic products is leading to a change in consumer perceptions in a positive direction, according to a soon to be released research report called the J.D. Power & Associates Private Label Industry Report.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/health/policy/26fda.html?_r=1

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/26/ap6215352.html

http://adage.com/article?article_id=135582

Adam Starr’s article in GOOD magazine eyes a California initiative to have a sustainable food system by 2030. Supported by Roots of Change, Alice Waters, and a bevy of academic insitutions and NGOs, the plan is even finding an ally in the Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom - who has partnered with Roots of Change to develop a sustainable food system for San Francisco.

California is certainly a shovel-ready choice for developing a sustainable food system. The state is, “the fifth largest producer of food in the world.” The abundance of fruits and vegetables, dairy, and livestock produced in California could fill even the pickiest of cupboards. Although — unless someone is growing coffee beans in controlled conditions — a California sustainable food system might result in a generation of caffeine-deprived residents.

Even California is not perfect. There is a strong reliance on water from other states. So while California develops its own food system, will it also “give back” the access to water? And if it does, will residents forgoe manicured green lawns for xeriscapes and locally-grown tomatoes?

Aside from the water and coffee issues, California is poised to make a sustainable food system a reality. So it begs the question, what about the rest of us? I grew-up in the Hudson Valley in New York and currently live in Colorado. These two very different environments offer good access to locally-grown food 3-8 months of the year. But even New York gets a little challenging late in the Fall when I am craving vitamin c and have a garden full of kale. Yes, I know kale has vitamin c, but it certainly doesn’t taste as good when you squeeze it. And this is my second point (water was the first if you weren’t keeping track), while Californians may have to adjust to a lack of caffeine and bananas, the majority of us will have to adjust to looking to “unusual” sources for our daily nutrition and will have to get educated to make these choices. And, oh yes, we will also have to forgo our green lawns.

Want to know what fruits and vegetables are in season and for how much longer? Need to know where the nearest farmer’s market is? Gotta have the latest Locavore Twitter update? Then there is an iPhone app’ for you.

According to the app description on the iTunes store: “Eating local food when it’s in season is an increasingly popular goal amongst people who are interested in eating the tastiest, healthiest food while also being good to the environment. Knowing what’s available in your area at a given time of year is often difficult to determine, so we’ve taken on the task of collecting data from a variety of sources and presenting it all in the most understandable of ways. The Locavore iPhone app will come in handy next time you’re at the market and want to know what’s actually being grown near you, and what is most likely to taste the best right now. Whether you’re just trying to become more aware of what’s in season around you, or you are fully committed to eating only locally grown food, this app will help you know what your options are.”

There’s no shortage of tech reviews about the app. This one from mobilecrunch is the perfect recipe of technology and terra firma.

Who knew the tech industry was so farm-friendly?