After 30 Years, Ethanol's Federal Tax Credit Expires

Posted: Monday, April 23, 2012

For the last 30 years, The U.S. Federal government has been subsidizing the use of Ethanol, which is mostly produced from corn. Since the tax credits' expiration earlier this year, the issue of renewing the federal subsidy has been difficult for candidates seeking office throughout the Midwest. The Ethanol subsidy, "In the last year, when Congress was preoccupied with deficits and debt, became a symbol of corporate welfare."

Currently, almost 40% of the nation's corn crop contributes to the creation of Ethanol and related products, including animal feed. Over the last 30 years, more than $20 billion in subsidies have been provided to encourage the use of the product. Generally, proponents of the Ethanol tax break accepted the expiration of the tax credit without a big battle. However, Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa and a leading advocate for the Ethanol subsidy noted that Ethanol is used to reduced retail gasoline prices for America and reliance on foreign oil.

"The end of this giant subsidy is a win for taxpayers, the environment and people struggling to put food on the table" said Michal L. Rosenoer, a policy analyst from Friends of the Earth "Production of ethanol, with its use of pesticides and fertilizers and heavy industrial machinery, causes soil erosion and air and water pollution. And it means that less land is available for growing food, so food prices go up"

Representative Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona, said; "with record deficits and a ballooning national debt, it was ludicrous to expect taxpayers to pay billions to prop up a mature industry that should be able to fend for itself."

Read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/business/energy-environment/after-three-d

ecades-federal-tax-credit-for-ethanol-expires.html 

Kobe Beef Food Fraud

Posted: Monday, April 23, 2012

Many restaurants across the country feature dishes with Kobe beef - a delicacy, renowned for its flavor, tenderness and fatty well-marbled texture - on their menus. However, if you are eating Kobe beef in the United States, it is likely that it is not real Kobe Beef.

Real Kobe beef comes from a breed of cow known as Tajima which has to be slaughtered in Japan's Hyogo prefecture. Yet, the slaughter houses that produce real Kobe beef in Hyogo have not been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for export their products. Authentic Japanese Kobe Beef is not available for sale anywhere outside of Japan, with the only exception of Macau.

Real the whole article here: http://www.npr.org/2012/04/22/151153503/fake-food-thats-not-kobe-beef-youre-

eating 

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

h-egg.html

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