Food Company Owner Pleas Guilty in Tomato Price-Fixing Scam

Posted: Wednesday, March 28, 2012

In California, a food company owner pled guilty to racketeering in a tomato price-fixing scam that authorities believe had driven up the cost of tomato and tomato products to people across the United States. Charged with bribing purchasing managers at large food companies such as Kraft Foods and Frito Lay, Frederick Scott Salyer and his co-conspirators rigged bids and fixed prices for the sale of tomato products. Salyer's plea agreement to the two chargers of racketeering and price fixing lands him in jail for four to seven years.

Source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/24/2080271/tomato-price-fixer-left-wit

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Historical Food Timeline

Posted: Wednesday March 7, 2012

Foodtimeline.org provides an interesting historical overview and timeline that transitions from origins of U.S. food moving throughout history up to current U.S. food trends and popularity. The website allows users to connect with various cited sources and resources for perspective into the American food history. For those looking to sample a recipe from the Colonial era, timeline users can visit the Food Timeline's 17th and 18th century American foodway's page available here: http://foodtimeline.org/foodpioneer.html

This site is a fantastic source for all historical 'Foodies' - explore the home page where the timeline carefully documents the progression of food, its origins and popularity throughout history.

View the website here: http://foodtimeline.org/

New study: 1.46 million are living on less then $2 per day

Posted: Monday, March 5, 2012

In a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan and Harvard University, "the number of families living on $2 or less per person per day for at least a month in the U.S. has more than doubled in 15 years to 1.46 million" people.

Last year, state and federal governments spent $900 billion on 70 different programs that help those in need, from energy assistance and college grants to health care and food stamps. According to a researcher at the Heritage Foundation, most of the aid provided to the poor comes in the form of non-cash assistance. "Because the study shows households in extreme poverty for a month, it is more reflective of people losing jobs, getting divorces or having short-term crises"

Read the full article here: http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2012-02-24-extreme-poverty_ST_U.htm

One in five Americans are unable to buy food for family in 2011

Posted: Monday February 27, 2012

According to data recently released from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) million struggled with hunger throughout the 2011 year. The survey asked "have there been times in the past twelve months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?" to which one in five [18.6%] Americans answered 'yes'

FRAC President Jim Weill attributes the high rates to "continuing high unemployment and underemployment, flat food stamp benefit allotments and inflated food prices which caused food stamp beneficiaries to lose more than six percent of their food purchasing power"

On February 28, 2012- 700 anti-hunger advocates will gather in Washington D.C. for the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference on Capitol Hill in order to share data with lawmakers in an effort to demonstrate the broad support for the federal nutrition program and for a stronger role by government in ending hunger. The conference seeks to persuade officials not to support budget cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program i.e. food stamps) benefits that would put children and adults at right for poor nutrition.

Read the FRAC article HERE

Difficult Economic Times Increases Demand and Prices for Staple Grocery Items

Posted: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A recent USDA report shows the prices for traditional food items such as ground beef, turkey, and eggs have increased a staggering 10%. Simultaneously, Cleveland families are struggling to cut expenses by purchasing cheaper fare and stretch their dollar due to high unemployment, medical and utility bills as well as increasing gas prices. The USDA's Economic Research Services reports that the reason staple grocery items went up so quickly was because of increasing demand caused by "high unemployment, low wages, and other economic pressures [that] have pushed many consumers to save money by eating at home". Unfortunately, given the circumstances we have seen a less drastic increase in demand for expensive grocery items such as steaks and fish relative to the rapid increase in demand for milk, apples and potatoes. Restaurants are also bearing the weight of increase in food costs and a sluggish consumer economy. Most restaurants are making cuts in other areas such as labor, overhead and other expenses to avoid "passing along their cost increase to consumers" thus making them less competitive.

Read the Full Article here:

Gas Prices likely to rise until spring 2012

posted January 18, 2012

As the year kicks off, the corporate office of gas station companies are determining prices. Large jumps of 20 to 25 cents will be likely instead of a series of small, continuous increases.

Due to reduced inventories, rising wholesale prices, and political tension in the Strait of Hormuz, global markets are seeing increases in the price of gasoline. Approximately one-third of the oil sent to the United States passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any rise in the cost of gas would impact the transportation costs associated with delivering food to supermarkets and hunger centers.

Read more here.

More Cleveland area residents are turning to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland for support in difficult times

The Plain Dealer Reports, “The [Hunger] Network casts a wider net these days”, distributing emergency food to 60,000 people throughout Cuyahoga County each month. Children make up almost half of the population served.

The article tells the story of Nisa Park-Bey who was employed as a manager, until two heart attacks left her disabled, as she simultaneously became legal guardian to her nieces. Park-Bey says of the Hunger Network “They help me in so many ways, they give me good, have gotten me a refrigerator and helped me get coats for the kids”.

Michelle Wohlfeiler, Director of special events and marketing coordinator for the Hunger Network described the population the network serves; “There are the chronically poor and people who are disabled, and seniors who can’t get by, but increasingly, we are seeing the unemployed and underpaid who need us for a shorter period, just to get through the difficult times”.

To read the entire article click here: http://www.cleveland.com/holidays/blog/index.ssf/2011/12/holiday_spirit_agencies_that_d.html