The Packer has released its Top 10 Produce Stories of 2011. These stories include food poisoning outbreaks, healthy changes in restaurants and school lunch programs, and weather’s effects on crops.
Top 10 Produce Industry Stories of 2011
- Jensen Farms’ cantaloupe was the source of a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in 28 states. Thirty people died, one woman had a miscarriage, and 146 people were infected. Cantaloupe sales and sales of other types of fresh produce plummeted as a result. There were many other produce recalls throughout the year. Learn how to reduce your risk for contracting listeriosis or other foodborne illnesses.
- The USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the new MyPlate dietary guidelines, encouraging consumers to make half of their plates fruits and vegetables. First Lady Michelle Obama asked restaurants to add more produce to their menus. Her “Let’s Move” program wants to add 6,000 salad bars to schools in the next three years, since many children get half of their daily caloric intake at school. For some children, the food they get at school is the only food they eat regularly.
- In July, fast food giant McDonald’s announced they would include apple slices in its Happy Meals (not served with caramel dipping sauce). They reduced the French fries portions accordingly. Apple slices had been offered as an option, but only 11% of customers were ordering them. This new change includes apples as a standard part of the Happy Meal. Many health authorities blame the fast food industry for adding to the childhood obesity epidemic. Other restaurants took note and increased fresh produce offerings on their children’s menus.
- The National Restaurant Association’s annual “What’s Hot” survey found that locally grown produce is gaining in popularity. Farmers markets, farm stands, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) are good ways for consumers to buy food directly from producers. “Hyperlocal” is catching on too, which uses existing food systems in towns and neighborhoods redesigned to create food sources. Restaurants are moving toward this trend by growing foods and herbs on-site for use in their kitchens.
- The Mexican government dropped retaliatory tariffs on U.S. produce exports to Mexico in October. There was a cross-border trucking issue between the two countries. An agreement removed half of the duties Mexico had applied to U.S. exports such as cherries, onions, apples, potatoes, pork products, and tomatoes.
- School cafeterias got a makeover in 2011. Salad bars were added, food standards were updated, and the nutrition program Women, Infants and Children (WIC) received a funding increase. Not all of the news on the school front was good, however: tomato sauce in pizza and frozen potatoes (read French fries) are still counted as vegetables in the school lunch program.
- Immigration laws were a hot topic in agriculture, creating trouble in some parts of the country. In Georgia, crops were left rotting in the fields this summer after the legislature passed HB 87, a strict immigration law. The same thing happened in Alabama, forcing some farmers to plow crops under. Some have even lost their farms.
- In July, Costco decided to require its suppliers to test fresh produce and ground beef before it appears in stores. The testing includes the “Big 6” E. coli strains that the government doesn’t require. (For more information on government decisions to test non-157:H7 E. coli strains, see Meat Industry Wants Delay of USDA Testing). Some of the large packers and suppliers were already conducting the tests. Wal-Mart and Supervalu decided not to require these tests, stating that the “test-and-hold” procedure delays shipments of produce, reducing freshness.
- WalMart started buying more produce directly from growers, hoping to help small and medium growers expand their business and help reduce the environmental impact of large farms. Buying local helps reduce transportation and fuel costs and can help make pesticide, water, and fertilizer use more efficient. The company wants to double the percentage of locally grown produce in its stores to 9%.
- A February freeze in Mexico created a produce shortage. Produce that crossed into the U.S. through Nogales dropped to 4.5 billion pounds from 5.1 billion pounds in the 2009-2010 season. The freeze even created a delay in this year’s produce season.
