AFBF’s Food Checkout Week Underway
This is “Food Checkout Week”, as designated by the American Farm Bureau Federation. In other words, this is the week that a typical American household has earned enough money to pay it’s annual food costs. South Carolina Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers says that it’s a testament to the cost of our food. Here we are in the third week of February and the average American household’s food is paid for for the year. It takes until April or May for a household to pay it’s taxes.
Food Checkout Week originated with the South Carolina Farm Bureau in a “brainstorming” session.
Commission in Place to Tackle Federal Budget
President Obama has signed an executive order creating a bipartisan commission to address the government’s budget problems acknowledging that he is asking its members to attempt "the impossible." Analysts in both parties say the effort faces a dauntingly poisoned political atmosphere.
FB Making Moves on EPA Endangerment Finding
In a letter sent to all Members of Congress - American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman is calling for the adoption of the resolution of disapproval of the EPA’s endangerment finding and proposed regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
Russian Ag Minister sets plan to boost poultry production
Russia plans to build 23 new poultry complexes with capacity of roughly 320,000 metric tons this year, according to the Agriculture Minister. It’s also been predicted Russia will increase domestic meat production by 25 percent by 2012, while imports drop to 18 percent of overall consumption.
Obama administration details $400 million Healthy Food Financing Initiative
The Obama Administration released details of its $400 million Healthy Food Financing Initiative, which will bring grocery stores and other healthy food retailers to underserved urban and rural communities.
The initiative will promote a range of interventions that expand access to nutritious foods. Studies show that there are areas sometimes called "food deserts" — often found in economically distressed areas and typically served by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer little or no fresh produce.
Lack of healthy, affordable food options can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, the administration said in a news release. Nationwide, USDA estimates that 23.5 million people, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income areas that are more than a mile from a supermarket.
Long-term declines in restaurant supper visits continue: NPD
The struggling foodservice industry can't count on supper visits to lead it out of the recession, according to market research firm the NPD Group.
Supper is the restaurant industry's largest sales generator but has been the weakest performing meal period for the past decade, NPD reported.
NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler on Food Marketing Workshop Series
The series aimed at owners of small or part-time value-added food business who are thinking about expanding. "Food Marketing in the Real World" will take place April 20th. Registration is now open for the workshop at the Western NC Ag Center in Fletcher scheduled from 8:30 am until 4:15 pm. Cost is $30 per session and covers materials and lunch. To get a registration form go to ncagr.gov and click on "Agribusiness Workshops", or call Annette Dunlap at (919) 733-7887.
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