Traders Joe’s opens in Raleigh

News and Observer reporter Sue Stock in the article “Shoppers pack Trader Joe’s for opening” writes that mroe than 200 shoppers were waiting to enter the store when it opened its doors for the first time Friday.

Stop Hunger Now: more face food shortages

Stop Hunger Now in the article “2009 global hunger index” notes that according to the 2009 Global Hunger Index, there are now a total of 29 countries suffering from food shortage.

Food, Inc on DVD, livestream chat on Nov. 5

Food, Inc. will be released on DVD Nov. 3. You can get your own copy.

On November 5th at 9 p.m.  EST/ 6p.m. PST  Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s largest organic yogurt maker and featured in Food, Inc, will take part in a livestream discussion.

Joining him will be Josh Trought of the D Acres farm and supporter of the National Family Farm Coalition.

My friend Christy told me about this and mentioned that she grew up down the street in eastern NC from Josh Trought. Over the last 10 years, he has developed and implemented the vision of D Acres of New Hampshire, committed to educating others in environmental stewardship of land and forests within a framework of community shared decision-making.

Replacing cookies with carrots in corner stores

New York Times reporter Kevin Granville in the article “Bringing fresh produce to the corner store” writes that store owners in Cleveland, New York, Louisville and elsewhere are being approached by public health organizations and economic development agencies with offers of new equipment, marketing expertise or neighborhood promotions to encourage them to stock more fresh produce, whole wheat bread and other healthy offerings.

House health care bill includes menu labeling

Politico reporter Glenn Thrush in the posting “Health care bill: calorie counts for Big Macs, vending machines” writes that Democrats want you to know that your McDonald’s Angus Burger meal has about 1,500 calories — before you buy and burp.

Getting the best bite

New York Times reporter Melissa Clark in the article “Having my cake and eating it too” writes about the last piece of Molly Killeen’s St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake at the Made by Molly stand at the Park Slope Farmers’ Market.

Investigating Carolina foodways with Amy Rogers

I happened upon a copy of the Food and Foodways edition of the Tar Heel Junior Historian from several years ago.

The last story in the magazine is North Carolina: A Culinary Crossroads:

When we talk about North Carolina foodways, we are discussing not only foods themselves, but also the ways that people choose foods according to individual and collective cultures, religions, habits and preferences. … North Carolina’s population continues to grow as thousands of people move here every year. These new Tar Heels – whether from neighboring states or faraway countries – bring with them the rich and diverse cultures of their homelands. the study of foodways will become more important as we interact more frequently with people from other backgrounds and beliefs. … Understanding food helps us understand each another – and the changing world around us.

The article is written by Amy Rogers. The Charlotte writer is known for her writing, publishing and talking about food.

In her 2004 book, Hungry for Home, Rogers profiles folks like Pat Conroy, EmmyLou Harris and John Shelton Reed telling their stories of the food and people that make home.

Rogers also worked with the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to establish the nation’s only public library-sponsored literary publisher. As the Novello Festival Press, they’ve put 300 writers into print. All NFP titles are distributed nationally through John F. Blair, Publisher. Proceeds from NFP books benefit the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Rogers also chats with folks in Charlotte on public radio WFAE. Listen to her talk about Pie Day here.

You can find Rogers on a panel being questioned by Stacy Cochran here about publishing.

Zely and Ritz November events

• Monday, Nov 9th – catering for CEFS lecture with Will Allen at visitor center across from McKimmon Center from 5:30 – 6:30. Lecture to follow. (Zely & Ritz is a sponsor a well as the caterer for this event — details at http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/main-news-and-events/upcoming-events.html)
• Wednesday, Nov 11th local Big Boss Beer Dinner with Brad Wynn – see menu below
• Thursday, Nov 12th – Longoria Wine dinner with Rick Longoria – spectacular wines from Santa Barbara County
• Wednesday, Nov 18th – Peak Beer Dinner

CNN Opinion: Food industry dictates nutrition policy

CNN Opinion writer Jonathan Safran Foer in his posting “Food industry dictates nutrition policy” writes that if it’s sometimes hard to believe that eschewing animal products will make it easier to eat healthfully, there is a reason: We are constantly lied to about nutrition.

USDA’s Kathleen Merrigan Announces Grants: 2 for NC State

US Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced more than $19 million in grants have been awarded to universities across the country to solve critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects.

“Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture and USDA and Congress, through the 2008 Farm Bill, are committed to helping this industry succeed by addressing critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects,” Merrigan said. “These grants are an important part of USDA’s new ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative, which will help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity by assisting organic producers with new production and marketing practices to meet rising consumer demand.”

U.S. producers are turning to certified organic farming systems as a potential way to lower input costs, decrease reliance on nonrenewable resources, capture high-value markets and premium prices and boost farm income. Research at USDA increasingly focuses on the science that supports development of sustainable practices in agriculture and forestry, including organic farming, to both reduce negative impacts on the environment and keep U.S. farmers competitive.

Since the late 1990′s, U.S. organic production has more than doubled, but the consumer market has grown even faster. Organic food sales have more than quintupled, increasing from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $24.6 billion in 2008. More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy organic products at least occasionally, and 28 percent buy organic products weekly.

Fiscal Year 2009 Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative grants were awarded in the amount of $1,174,942 to: NC State University. Fiscal Year 2009 Integrated Organic and Water Quality grants were awarded in the amount of $658,769 to NC State University.

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who already have adopted organic standards to grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products. Meanwhile, the Integrated Organic and Water Quality Program funds projects that demonstrate benefits to soil and water availability posed by implementing certified organic practices. Projects combine physical measurements of soil and surface and/or groundwater conditions at the field or farm scale with modeling information generated at the same spatial and temporal scale.