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Franken-rice for pharmaceuticals in Kansas
Filed under: Science, Farming, Non-GMO, Grains, Midwest Rural, America, Rice 
The USDA has just approved a plan to grow 3,200 acres of genetically modified rice near Junction City, Kansas for the purposes of making pharmaceuticals. The "Franken-rice," as it is called by those opposed to the plan, will have human proteins in them.
Though the USDA claims that it will be safe because there are no commercial rice farms (i.e. not for human consumption) in Kansas, there is the possibility that the rice may mix with other edible crops.
Yikes.East Coast, West Coast, Business, Non-GMO, Dairy, Coffee shops Ask the barista how much milk they go through in one day then next time you go into Starbucks for a latte. At some stores, the baristas probably far to busy to take note of the number of gallons used, but it is safe to say that it is a lot. And with over 5,500 stores in the US, Starbucks must be one of the largest consumers in the country, so the dairy industry will feel the effects of Starbucks decision to drop all dairy containing the artificial growth hormone RBGH. So...
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The Economist talks food politics
Filed under: Farming, Business, Organic, Non-GMO, Magazines, Trends, Did you know?, Fairtrade  Marion Nestle says that when she talks to people, she hears "this phenomenal sense of despair about their inability to do anything about climate change, or the disparity between rich and poor." A despair that she says is alleviated by a trip to the grocery store where "they can make decisions about what they are buying and send a very clear message." Perhaps people really do express these sentiments to her, but unless specifically directed, it seems unlikely that most people make the connection between relieving their feeling...
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Sweetriot makes chocolate peaces
Filed under: Snacks, Non-GMO, Chocolate, Candy, Raves & Reviews, Fairtrade  According to their mission statement, sweetriot's goal is to "create a more just and celebrated multicultural world for our next generation." A fine mission, to be sure, but what they actually do is sell a line of chocolate covered cacao nibs. Appropriately named "peaces", all of their products are all-natural, gmo-free, dairy-free, kosher, gluten-free and feature only fair trade chocolate. In addition to carrying a social cause, they also taste great. The nibs come in three primary flavors, divided and named by the cacao content of the chocolate that enrobes the...
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Is an organic milk shortage likely?
Filed under: Farming, Business, Organic, Non-GMO, Dairy, America  More dairies may be going organic, but the demand for organic milk is close to exceeding the supply. Dean Foods, a Texas-based company that is the nation's largest producer of dairy and the owner of Horizon Organics, has even gone so far as to say that the sale of organic milk to stores could be rationed this winter. Part of the reason is that the production of organic dairy drops in winter, when cows in some parts of the country must be sheltered and protected from the cold.
One other problem facing the industry...
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Top trends shaping the food industry
Filed under: Organic, Non-GMO, Trends, Lists, Did you know?  When it comes to food, just as with everything else, there are fads. These fads are subsets of long-lasting, broader trends that really shape the way we eat. For example, the lo-carb craze of a few years ago was part of a general weight-loss trend, which also covered a whole group of various "fad" diets. That trend slowly turned into one of the new top trends: healthy eating.
Since we're talking about food every day here, it's interested to take a step back and look at the broad categories that so shape how we think about food...
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What kind of hot dogs are those?
Filed under: West Coast, Non-GMO, Food Oddities, On the Blogs, Meat 
At the blog California Eating, Amy captured a strange sign at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. The vendor is advertising "cootie-free hot dogs" (and Buffalo Tacos, which sound great!). This probably means one of two things. Either the vendor is really going for that 6-10 age bracket, possibly because of their heavy economic clout, or "cootie-free" means something along the lines of organic, or hormone-free. I'm inclined to think that they belong in the later category, because $5 per dog seems a little steep for a 6 year old. Does cootie-free...
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Organic baby foods reviewed
Filed under: Vegetarian, Organic, Vegan, Non-GMO, Culinary Kids, Newspapers, Stores & Shopping, New Products  This week, the Wall Street Journal reviewed several companies that make and sell organic baby foods. Unlike Tot Pots, all four companies sell their products online, which means that they're available to anyone with a credit card and a mailbox. Hopefully, you'll have a baby, too, but that's not really a prerequisite to purchasing baby food.
Evie's Organic Edibles uses no preservatives, salt or sugar in their well-flavored foods. The NY-based company offers in-home cooking, delivery and classes, too. Plum Organics were...
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Honey Stinger: Naturally sweet
Filed under: Snacks, Non-GMO, America, Sugar  In my on-going search for the perfect energy food, I've slurped down a number of gels that tasted pretty much like what I imagine the door handle at a Baskin Robbins tastes like -- syrupy, cloying and gross. So, it's no surprise that when I actually come across a gel that is palatable and delicious, I'm eager to sing its praises.
Honey Stinger Gel is the gel for people who normally can't stand the taste of gels. With a naturally low-glycemic index, Honey Stinger Gels provides lasting energy without the irritating blood sugar spike, which always leaves me shaky...
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Eel Ice Cream - slimming!
Filed under: British Isles, Science, Non-GMO, Fish, Food Oddities, New Products  Sounds terrible - an ice cream made from fish, but it could make an ice cream that won't pile on the pounds as you eat.
The Times has a report that Unilever, which produces Wall's, Magnums, Carte D'Or and Ben and Jerry's ice cream has applied to the UK's Food Standards Agency for permission to use a fish protein in a range of ice creams and fruit ices. The North Atlantic Pout is an eel-like fish whose blood, using GM technology, has been made into a protein that will cut...
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