Jakob's Bowl

A Voice Lowing In The Wilderness

Before we all go hailing the recent decisions by McDonald’s, Burger King, et al for removing the ammonia treated slaughterhouse scraps normally unfit for human consumption, aka "pink slime," from their burgers, tacos, and god knows what- as reported on the Huffington Post this past week, let us remember that the New York Times reported on the existence of this execrable substance, and its presence in fast food burgers as well as burgers being offered in school lunch programs over two years ago!!! (See my January 2010 post Kitchen Cleaners Anyone?)

While I am aghast that it took a documentary, the public attention of a celebrity chef, and over two years time to move BIG FOOD to action, I am even more disturbed by the fact that the USDA approved the use of this 'Soylant Pink.' in 2001...10 years ago. When I think of how many millions, or billions, of these burgers were consumed over the decade my head sets to spinning...what will they think of next.

The Misplaced Farmer's Market Tote Deliverance

It's been a busy autumn, and I am way, way behind on my posting, as evidence by the late-season tomatoes shown in this picture. It was the last Sunday in September, and I was at the Ayers Creek Farm Booth putting these amazing looking tomatoes into a paper bag, when a bright yellow canvas Ayers Creek shopping bag was suddenly placed into my free hand. I was so focused on the tomatoes that I didn't notice Anthony Boutard walk over the the bag (Made In The USA.). As he turned to return to his check out station he told me that he had read my sob story blog post from earlier in the summer, what a friendly gesture!!! This surprise however, wasn't the highlight of the trip as I discovered later.

I had received Anthony's newsletter a few days earlier and his comments about their Astiana variety of tomatoes - "our culinary tomato for making sauces. We found this tomato at a market in the town of Asti in the Piedmont of Italy." - had me excited. I expected plum tomatoes, not these giants, so my anticipation was even greater. Although he had forewarned us in the booth that morning that the tomatoes were not 'sweet,' I got a bit scared when I was peeling them and tasted a piece...he, wasn't kidding...nice acid, very good tomato flavor, but virtually no sugar! I began to doubt its value as a 'sauce" tomato. As they began to cook down with some garlic and olive oil, the aroma permeated my apartment, and got more enticing as time went on. After about 45 minutes of cooking, I took my first taste, and the sauce was simply amazing, bursting with rich tomato flavor...my Tiger Striped Romas couldn't even compare. I was truly annoyed as I finished the last of the sauce later that week, annoyed that I had only bought four pounds.

Buyrony & The Biggest Locovore

The newest Seattle Whole Foods is just a couple of miles from my home, and ever since it opened, they have tried to stress how much they support local producers - and if you believe that one, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. The large parking lot out front has 18 tall light poles, and attached to each pole are two large banners (approx 4-feet by 15-inches each) with the word LOCAL in large letters and the name of a local producer next to it. As I drove to the Whole Foods yesterday, I noticed some a number of new signs placed along the curb as I approached the parking lot, and they all read: "Icelandic Lamb Is Here". I suppose it’s all just "blackwhite" to them.

The Misplaced Farmer's Market Tote

I'm not sure if it's simply carelessness or rapidly approaching senility, but over the last twelve months my supply of canvas Farmer’s Market totes has dwindled by two-thirds. Last August I managed to drop my bright yellow Ayer's Creek Farm tote during a visit to the Sunday Farmer’s Market on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, and about six weeks ago, I noticed that my Portland Farmer’s Market (PFM) canvas tote was missing...oh, bother. On my last trip to Portland as I waited for the bell to ring to open the market, I decided it was time to replace the latter. They had replaced their previous tote with a version that folded up into a neat bundle when not in use. I was ready to plunk down my $$$, when I read the inner tag: "Made In China." I passed on the tote.

Upon reflection, I find it very, very odd, downright offensive actually, that the PFM would source its promotional merchandise from thousands of miles away, especially given their "Mission" statement (as stated on the PFM "About Us" page):

PFM operates vibrant farmers markets that contribute to the success of local food growers and producers, strengthen our food economy and serve as community gathering places.

What’s wrong with this picture!!! Could it be that there is something fundamentally at odds between the high-minded façade and the economic realities of the current incantation of many of the Farmers Market organizations in this country…a few words to follow on Seattle’s Farmers Market turf wars.

Selling Her Past With A Twist

When I was a kid I loved licorice because it was so much fun to eat. I loved the chewy texture, and you could stretch it and tie it in knots, or bite off the ends and blow through it. Now I can enjoy our own tasty organic version of my favorite childhood candy in four different flavors.

It's also a great treat for the movies, as it's much quieter to eat than popcorn, said Nell Newman, co-founder and president of Newman's Own Organics.

Newman's Own Organics Website

I was doing some late night shopping the other day when the urge for something sweet, and my ‘go to’ snack in those situations is often licorice in one form/flavor or another. As I strolled through the candy aisle I noticed The Newman's Own Organics 'organic' licorice twists for the first time. 'The expanding empire' was my first thought, but my interest was piqued by the fact that "tangerine" was one of the flavors offered. I picked up the package to read the ingredients list. While I had no problem with the ingredients used the phrase "Made in Mexico" on the bottom of the package was truly disturbing. Really Nell, you had to go all the way to Mexico to get the organic licorice made!!! (It wasn't the only organic licorice on the shelf.) You couldn’t support a small candy maker in California or somewhere else in this country!!! I also checked their tinned mints, also "Made In Mexico." I just don’t seem to remember that the licorice I enjoyed at countless Saturday Matinees in the ‘60s came from South of the Border!!!

Read more about Nell Newman's inconsistent marketing/sourcing policies in Newman’s Own Proxy and Newman's Own Proxy: The Sequel.

The Value Of Organic Certification?

What A Difference A Year Makes! It was about a year ago that I posted about the USDA Inspector General's audit of the USDA’s enforcement of the National Organic Program (NOP) (Certified Organic: Whom Can You Trust?). The results while shocking to some, were not unexpected by those who followed the letter of the law in growing and producing their organic products. Real organic producers had been paying the price for lax and even non-enforcement by not being able to compete on an even playing field with those who gamed and cheated the system. My main concern at the time was the lack of inspection of food products labeled "organic" coming from China. I assumed that the 'organic' risk in this country was a lot lower, and I was apparently wrong.

On March 2nd, the USDA took some long overdue steps to actually enforce the National Organic Program and in the process increase the value of 'real' organic certification...they revoked the accreditation of two - now formerly - organic certifying agencies, Certified Organic, Inc. (COI) and Guaranteed Organic Certification Agency (GOCA) for failing to comply with the National Organic Program regulations, including a failure to "ensure adequate training for employees about the regulations." Hopefully, this is just the first step in reversing the effects of Gresham's Law on 'real' organic food products and reestablishing their true value in the marketplace, as well as allowing the consumer to have more faith in the stamp on the back of the package.