Posts Tagged ‘Tom Vilsack’
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Cartoons on Snacks Appeal to Children
A new study published by Pediatrics concluded that children would rather eat snacks that are packaged with images of familiar cartoon characters, like Dora the Explorer and Shrek.
The study is noteworthy in a time where childhood obesity has become an epidemic; one in three children is overweight. Advocates for childhood nutrition often criticize food companies for adding to the problem of childhood obesity by marketing fattening snack foods and desserts to appeal to children.The study was done by Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The researchers polled 40 children ages 4 to 8 years old. Two-thirds of the children chose the snack with the cartoon character on the package over the snack with plain packaging, even though the contents were identical. Half of the children determined the snack with the cartoon character also tasted better.
Time reports that food companies spend more than $1.6 billion in advertising directed at children per year, and 13% of that budget is spent on licensing familiar characters and cross-promotions.
USDA Proposes New Laws to Protect Small Farmers
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced Friday the proposal of several new regulations that would add significant protection for small-scale farmers and increase fairness in the livestock and poultry market.
Vilsack announced in a written statement, “Concerns about a lack of fairness and commonsense treatment for livestock and poultry producers have gone unaddressed far too long. This proposed rule will help ensure a level playing field for producers by providing additional protections against unfair practices and addressing new market conditions not covered by existing rules.”
The changes reflect the hardships that small poultry growers and livestock producers have been burdened with when fulfilling contracts with large companies, which often require a lot of investment capital and little job security for the small producer. The new proposal speaks to this issue and includes a provision to “Establish new protections for producers required to provide expensive capital upgrades to their growing facilities, including protections to ensure producers have the opportunity to recoup 80 percent of the cost of a required capital investment.”
Additional proposals include standards on base pay, advanced notice of contract suspension and limits to exclusive arrangements between packers and dealers to create competition. For more information on the new proposals, see the USDA website.
More National News
June 21: Roundup-resistant weeds have sprouted, causing farmers to use herbicides that contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Associated Press
June 21: Food and drug recall data will be released and published online by the FDA. Wall Street Journal
June 19: The Obama administration is cracking down on laws that prevent child labor on farms. New York Times
Regional News
June 21: The Stowe Wine and Food Classic raised $20,000 for Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vermont. Burlington Free Press
June 21: A proposal has been entered to build a new distillery that will produce specialty liquors in Marlboro, Vermont. Brattleboro Reformer
June 21: An old mill in Bennington, Vermont, will be resuscitated to source hydroelectric power. Vermont Public Radio
June 18: Vermont dairy farmers are advocating for legislation overhauls to improve milk prices. Vermont Public Radio
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Vilsack Works to Boost Rural Economies
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke on the continuing need for an economic rehabilitation of the nation’s rural communities at last week’s National Summit of Rural America held in Hillsboro, Missouri.
At the summit, Vilsack announced $22.5 million in USDA funding for small farmers through the Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grant program, which was added in the 2008 Farm Bill.Said Vilsack, “This new program will help provide access to capital, business-based training and technical assistance to the smallest of small businesses. We need to embrace new strategies to help create a thriving rural economy.”
The grants can be used for enhancing business plans, executing feasibility studies, marketing value-added agricultural products and investing in farm-based renewable energy products. According to Vilsack, the grants will “improve financial returns and help create jobs for agricultural producers, businesses and families across the nation. USDA is investing in farmers, ranchers and cooperatives to strengthen the economic foundation of rural America.”
Independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups are eligible for grants.
Vilsack posted an op-ed piece on the Huffington Post to further detail his goals to strengthen rural communities, explaining that developing new markets abroad, investing in rural broadband access and creating green jobs are key elements to making rural communities profitable and sustainable. He also encouraged the restoration and conservation of natural resources.
Despite Vilsack’s announcement of additional funding for small farmers to improve their business models and expand marketing efforts, the USDA is still under fire from critics who cite injustice in agriculture antitrust laws.
Eric Holt Gimenez, Executive Director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, responded to Vilsack’s recent announcements on the Huffington Post that the USDA’s efforts to revolutionize rural economies was lacking. Gimenez argued that the Agriculture Secretary should have included in his plan an overhaul of agriculture antitrust laws to restore competition to the industry, which, Gimenez argues, is currently controlled by several large conglomerates.
In Vermont, Champlain Orchards, Screamin’ Ridge Farm, Artesano and Cellars Carbon Labeling Co., Inc. recently received Value-Added Producer Grants. For a national list of recipients, see the USDA website.
More National News
June 7: Large food companies are improving their recipes to preemptively comply with health regulations from the Obama administration. Business Week
June 7: Chipotle serves more naturally raised meat than any other national chain. 85% of Chipotle’s beef is naturally raised. Market Watch
June 5: More than 500 chefs gathered at the White House to support Michelle Obama’s “Chefs Move to School” program to work to end childhood obesity. Let’s Move
May 25: The USDA released a study that reveals where local meat processing facilities are needed most. USDA
Regional News
June 6: The Slow Money National Gathering will be held June 9-11 at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont. Burlington Free Press
June 6: Senator Patrick Leahy spoke on the difficult issue of immigration reform for immigrant Vermont dairy workers. Times Argus
June 4: Senator Bernie Sanders announced $120,000 has been awarded to schools throughout Vermont to establish community gardens. Bernie Sanders
June 4: The federal government decided to close the small U.S.-Canada border station at Morses Line rather than close the Rainville family dairy farm. Associated Press
June 4: The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation is awarding $531,119 in grants to reconstruct and expand hiking trails throughout the state. Vermont Business Magazine
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Feds Investigate Possible BigAg Antitrust Violations
The U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are joining forces to investigate potential violations of antitrust laws in the agriculture industry. Attorney General Eric Holder and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled to Iowa last week speak to farmers, ranchers and industry leaders at a public meeting.
The first of five workshops on competition and consolidation in the agriculture industry took place on Friday in front of a crowd of about 700 people.The central question to tackle is, Holder said, “Is today’s agriculture industry suffering from a lack of free and fair competition in the marketplace.”
Public relations executives from Monsanto Company were also at the meeting.
Monsanto, a biotech company that has patented their genetically modified soybean, is one of the most prominent companies under scrutiny. The Justice Department is currently investigating whether or not the patents on seeds are being abused to maintain dominance in the industry. Currently, 93 percent of U.S. soybeans contain Monsanto’s patented Roundup Ready gene.
Monsanto received national attention after being featured in the documentary Food Inc., which showed the huge amount of power Monsanto wielded in court against small farmers and seed cleaners who were sued by Monsanto for patent infringement.
According to the New York Times, Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney drew applause from the crowd on Friday when she announced the Justice Department “planned to keep a close eye on the coming shift to generic forms of biotech crop traits, as the patents that companies hold on those traits expire.”
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USDA Releases New Guidelines for Organic Milk
Organic dairy standards have gotten a makeover from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The new guidelines, which will require that dairy producers meet more stringent criteria in order for their milk to be certified organic, will go into effect on June 17, 2010.
The amendments to the National Organic Program state that animals must be pastured for at least four months of the year to be approved as organic milk producers. During the four-month grazing season, 30 percent of their diet must come from pasture grass.Dairy farms in temperate climates will be expected to pasture their cows for more than the four months specified in the guidelines. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan stated the standards were the minimum requirement for organic farmers, “You can meet this threshold whether you’re in Vermont or Arizona.”
Environmental considerations were also addressed in the new guidelines. The USDA states “Producers must have a pasture management plan and manage pasture as a crop to meet the feed requirements for the grazing animals and to protect soil and water quality.”
The changes are an attempt to standardize the organic certification process to protect the consumer. According to the Los Angeles Times: “The new rules seek to close loopholes that had allowed some of the country’s largest feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their herds rarely grazed in fields.”
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Mark Your Calendar! Register Now!
From February 13 to 15, join fellow farmers, homesteaders, activists, consumers and even kids at next week’s Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont’s 28th Annual Winter Conference. With the theme “Celebrating the Heart of the
Organic,” the event will be held in a newly expanded conference site at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Keynote speakers include LaDonna Redmond, founder of the Institute for Community Resource Development, and organic farmer Jack Lazor of Vermont’s Butterworks Farm, with a special appearance by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Check out the 70+ workshops, special children’s conference, farmers’ market, ice cream social, Young Farmer Mixer and much more.More Regional Events
(All events take place in Vermont unless otherwise noted.)
Saturday, February 6
Farmers’ Markets
Champlain Island Winter Farmers’ Market
South Hero Congregational Church, 10 am to 2 pmRutland Winter Farmers’ Market
The Old Strand Theater behind the Rutland Natural Food Market, 10 am to 2 pmMontpelier Winter Farmers’ Market
VT College of Fine Arts Gym, corner of E. State Street and College Street, 10 am to 2 pm
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Major Chain Moves to Sell Only Wild Salmon
Target will no longer sell farm-raised salmon in any of its stores nationwide. Instead of sourcing from salmon farms, Target will stock only Alaskan, wild-caught salmon in its fresh, frozen and smoked seafood sections. The company cited environmental reasons behind the decision, which was announced last week.
Target consulted conservationists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to determine how to make their seafood offerings more environmentally conscious. Farmed salmon, Target argues, can increase pollution, chemicals and parasites and hurt native salmon in surrounding areas.Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, said “Target’s decision to source sustainable wild-caught salmon, instead of farmed, will have a real impact in the marketplace — and ultimately, on the health of our oceans.” Seafood Watch rates wild-caught salmon a “Best Choice.”
The changes will extend to Target’s own brands, Archer Farms and Market Pantry, which will now sell only wild salmon. Target expects to have phased all farmed salmon products out of its stores by the end of 2010. Greg Duppler, senior vice president of marketing for Target noted, “Our guests now have an array of sustainable seafood choices at great prices.”
Whole Foods isn’t joining Target in the farmed salmon ban. Last week Whole Foods launched a new label to alert shoppers that their seafood—including farmed salmon—meets the company’s “responsibly farmed” criteria.
Whole Foods believes “Farming seafood can provide a consistent, high-quality, year-round supply of healthy and delicious protein. And when it’s done right, aquaculture can be environmentally friendly and can be a crucial way to supplement wild-caught fish supplies.”
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USDA Invests in Local Food System
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week it would provide over $5 million for 16 organizations that work to make healthy, local food accessible for low-income Americans.
The organizations receiving grants were chosen through the Community Food Projects Program, which is administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding is a part of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative that launched in September 2009.“Building local sustainable food systems is a key step in fighting hunger and obesity, a priority for USDA and for the Obama Administration,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack stressed that by investing in a local food system, low-income individuals can eat healthier, nutritious foods while strengthening the economy at the local level.
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Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food
The sustainable food movement is getting some much-needed federal help. On September 14th, the USDA launched the new program “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” in an effort to “create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack introduced the initiative via YouTube video. Vilsack explains that by doing business with local farmers, American families will be able to eat healthier foods and stimulate the economy at the local level.The USDA is expected to provide approximately $65 million in funding for the program.
The “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” website provides information on federal loans, grants and support available for farmers. The website will allow individuals to share experiences and ideas and will also help facilitate discussion of the local food movement through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.
To kick-off the new program, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan held a live discussion of the sustainable food movement and the “Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” initiative on Facebook on October 1.
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