Update on S. 510 Federal Food Safety Legislation
The Farmers Market Management Network of Ohio has been following the Senate’s food safety bill closely and just issued an alert to keep in the amendments that protect small farms and processors that sell locally. The two articles below give a good overview of where the legislation is now. Your action is needed to keep local food growing. Action Alert – Local and Regional Food at Risk Action Alert December 8, 2010 Local and Regional Food at Risk Call Your Representative Food Safety Legislation passed by the Senate and to be… » Update on Federal Food Safety Bill S.510 On Tuesday, November 30, a year after it was reported out of Committee, the Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510) passed the Senate, 73-25. The bill,… » … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Local Food Processing, National, News, Policy and Regulation
Senate Food Safety Bill Moves Ahead
The Senate made substantial progress on the pending Food Safety Bill Wednesday. To move the sweeping food bill forward, the upper chamber voted 74-25 to limit debate, circumventing Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) objection. And key stakeholders resolved the two controversial issues that have plagued the bill: bisphenol A and small farm exemptions. Read: Senate Food Safety Bill Moves Ahead. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food Processing, News, Policy and Regulation
Small Independent Grocers and Local Food
As demand for locally produced food grows, grocery stores are struggling to find sources of that food. The food is out there, but the buying models of the larger grocery is often incompatible with the small farmer. Currently, most producers of local food are small farms, which may not be able to fill the volume, price or regular delivery demands of a typical grocery store chain. What may seem as a problem for the local food movement may be an opportunity for small independent grocers who may not require large volumes of product and may be more flexible on delivery than the large supermarkets. Small grocers can partner with local farmers to carry the “most” locally grown and identity preserved foods. In fact smaller volumes and more frequent delivery often mean … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured Articles, News
Genetically Modified Soy Linked to Sterility, Infant Mortality
A study by Russian scientists concluded that GM soy-fed hamsters lost the ability to reproduce in three generations. The details are a cause for concern and emphasizes the need for more research into the long term effects of genetically modified foods and the chemicals that are used to grow them. There are other reports of similar effects in domestic animals in Austria, Italy and in the United States. Read the Detailed Article – Institute for Responsible Technology. More information on U.S. grown soybeans at Wikipedia. … Read entire article »
Filed under: News, Policy and Regulation
Lettuce recall reminds us why small and local is better
The lettuce recall issued today by Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio lends strength to the case for locally produced food systems. The company processes and distributes lettuce to food service companies that supply restaurants and delis in 23 states. The FDA is investigating the source of E.Coli contamination. It is believed the batch of lettuce involved was produced in Arizona. I believe locally produced and direct marketed produce is safer. In my opinion, the reason it’s safer is not because all potential for contamination has been eliminated, but because when produce is processed on a small scale the conditions that foster growth and spread of pathogens is less likely to exist and if so the contaminated is only a few packages and not a few hundred thousand. Less processing is better , … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Sustainable Agriculture Week April 19-25
Sustainable Agriculture Week is April 19-25. We would like to get the word out across the State to as many as we can and as quickly as possible. Would you like to put this up in your place of business or community gathering place? Let me know if you would like one to display. … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Ohio Grass Grazed Symbol Proposed
Supporters of transparency in labeling have proposed a new symbol to aid consumers in their food choices. Producers who would carry the label would need to have more than half of the feed consumed be grass(for ruminants) and less than half be grain-based concentrated feed. The proposal encourages or requires producers to commit to continuing education on sustainable methods, funding new research on healthy food production and community involvement. Initially the symbol would be used for ruminants such as cows and sheep, but would be expanded to other animals in the future. Read the preliminary_ohiograss.pdf (application/pdf Object). … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured Articles, News, Policy and Regulation
Meet your farmers at the CSA Fair at Wexner
The CSA Fair is looking like a packed event. If you live in Columbus and want fresh local fare this is a must do event. Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 | 5:00 – 7:00PM As a lead-in to tonight’s final Field & Screen films, representatives from several local farms, including Wayward Seed Farm, will be in the café to speak with guests individually about the virtues and possibilities of community supported agriculture (CSA). Learn more about the simplicity of finding food raised close to home in a relaxed and conversational atmosphere. You’ll also be able to sample snacks from several of the farms. Presented in collaboration with Wayward Seed Farm and Local Matters. This event is presented in conjunction with the Field & Screen film series. … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Ohio Farmers’ Market Conference
Ohio’s first conference for farmers market managers and vendors will be held March 4-5 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg. The two-day conference will be packed with presentations, displays and networking opportunities and is geared toward farmers market managers, vendors, and community development stakeholders who want to start or grow farmers’ markets in their local communities. Topics to be covered include food safety, market funding opportunities, direct marketing, and more. Opportunities to network also will be available, which will give participants the chance to discuss ideas with other farmers market professionals. The Statewide Farmers Market Conference is a collaborative effort of Ohio State University South Centers, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Farmers Market Management Network (FMMN) and the Farmers’ Market Coalition. The conference will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., March … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, News
Ohio Grass-fed Milk on NPR
Ohio’s own Warren Taylor, often called a milk evangelist, passionately promotes milk like it used to be 40 years ago. Warren, and his dairy are featured in this NPR story on Dec. 10, 2009. Read the full story on NPR … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food & Recipes, News
