Food Riots And Organic Prices At Home, Oh MY!

Two remarkably different stories in today's New York Times reflect the dramatic impact of rising food costs and remind us that the battle over food quality in a world where most people don't have enough to eat is both a luxury as well as an intrinsic part of creating a solution.

In Across Globe, Empty Bellies Bring Rising Anger writer Mark Lacey reports on the increasing number of food riots and the potential for political crises around the globe.

In another story about food costs, Andrew Martin and Severson's Sticker Shock in the Organic Aisles report on the huge surge in commoodity prices and the fact that more organic growers are either returning to conventional farming or wondering if they can afford to continue organic farming.

Of course rising oil costs are at the root of the problem. Fuel prices are causing huge cost increases in everything from tractor fuel to fertilizer. Furthermore, our response to the decline in fossil fuels, has made the problem worse. As the price and demand for corn used in production of ethanol and bio- fuels grows, everything from feed to finished commodities gets more expensive.

In Haiti, as reported in the Times, basic staples have soared upwards of 45% since 2006. And here at home, a few weeks ago we heard from a pretzel company that their cost of flour increased 30% from last year. The Times article cites even bigger costs increases for organic farmers. Prices on the shelf are leaping up too, and the impact on consumers is here is going to get worse.

Economist Jeffrey Sachs, adviser to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, told Lacey that this is the worst food crisis in thirty years and that many stable governments are at risk of falling.

On Monday the United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Right to Food, Jean Ziegler, stated the production of biofuels is a a crime against humanity prompting the European Union to defend their goals of increasing production as part of a large scale effort to reduce global warming.

Times writer Lacey noted the plight of a family whose "children ate two spoonfuls of rice apiece as their only meal recently and then went without any food the following day." As he quotes the unemployed father of the family NBN wonders if a website about natural business is going to do anything to improve things.

“They look at me and say, ‘Papa, I’m hungry,’ and I have to look away. It’s humiliating and it makes you angry.”

Of course it might be easy to conclude that complaining about agribusiness is a luxury when most people don't have enough to eat. Yet this ignores the fact is that the business of agriculture is another central part of the problem. We'll devote a story next week to this bigger, more complex part of the picture that leaves us lucky ones wondering if grass fed beef from Argentina is a more sustainable choice than pasture fed organic cows from Montana and others are hoping they'll get lucky and have a bowl of rice today.

And if you're feeling hopeless don't. Instead let your knowledge about what's wrong lead to action and make a difference. Help a farm in Uganda run by AIDS widows by a tractor or take a look elsewhere and get active.

Meanwhile we have to do some research on carbonated beverage sales in the natural channel. Sometimes it seems that market research in a world where people are starving is just a bit more than stupid. But hey I'm grateful to have the work. Seriously.

Health Insurance For Everyone Regardless of Employment Status. What A Concept.

New York Times on Clorox' Green Works

Maybe once again we expect too much from the media. But it seems like common sense that a piece in in today's New York Times in a section called Greening Business discussing Clorox' new Green Works line of soap and cleansers, would have to devote more than just give a mere passing mention to the company that started it all, here in the U.S., Seventh Generation.

To give you some context, the Times piece is equal to writing a story about the reconstruction of Europe in the 40's and 50's, and not mentioning that there was something called World War II that preceded it.

If you don't know about Seventh Generation check them out. We love this company. And if you're thinking of buying Clorox' Green Works, we recommend you use Seventh Generation's instead. Buying Green Works from Clorox is a bit like asking the guy who accidentally burned down your house a couple of years ago, to feed your dog while you're on vacation this spring. In other words, you might want to trust somebody else.

Of course, Clorox claims that they have finally made a product that is green and works well. Bull-dookey!! That's been going on for years, developed by companies like Seventh Generation here and Ecover abroad, who are more interested in triple bottom line ethics that care for more than just the numbers on a quarterly sales report.

While robustly diverse, with brands ranging from Kingsford Charcoal to Brita Water Filters, and most recently, Burt's Bees, the fact is Clorox has been faced with shrinking margins and while we like their new 'green' facelift, it doesn't mean we like their products.After all, don't forget the bleach that made the money that grew the company that bought Burt's Bees and that is now looking to exploit the mega-trend of sustainability through a commitment that has all to do with profits and little to do with principles.

Okay we've said enough. Maybe we're bitter because we know we could have written a much better piece. No, let's restate that. We are upset because we expect more from The Times.

Read the piece and let us know what you think.

Whole Foods Westport, Ct: Oysters and Ribeye at the Sampling Station

Well, we're not really ones to enjoy the free stuff that they hand out at sampling stations. Whether it's Costco or Trader Joe's or even the better than most stuff they offer you at Wegman's. Fact is we've been lucky enough to get so many free samples over a life working in the grocery business that it never really appealed to us. Plus most of the stuff just isn't that good.

That said, we know that, to put it frankly, customers are so often used to be treating like dirt, that the wisdom of giving away free samples, not only encourages purchases but even more importantly makes people feel a bit better about being consumers in this age when they expect most businesses stick it to them good and hard and without getting much of anything in return.

Well our sampling station boredom was transformed when we visited the Whole Foods in Westport, Connecticut where they were offering oysters and rib-eye steak from two sampling stations on a Saturday afternoon. We wish we didn't know the manager so we could have really chowed down without worrying about anyone there knowing us.

Any Wonder Obesity and Diabetes are Growing So Fast...Take A Look At Frozen Foods Sales, Ice Cream, Pizza Leading Segments

In case you still think that people can get all they need, nutrient-wise, from food, we suggest you start paying attention to what people are actually buying and eating, or more likely, stuffing down their gullets.

As reported in Meat and Poultry A.C. Nielsen sales data showed frozen foods sales totaled $36.9 billion in 2007, up 5% from the previous year. The sales figure represented 12% of U.S. food and beverage sales.

Oh yeah and taking third place were frozen dessert novelties, you know like popsicles and ice cream bars. To see the full, bloated, icy, details, go here. Free registration required.

Irwin Simon of Hain Celestial Fires Nspired Foods President

Unconfirmed word from Natural Products Expo West is that the day after the ink dried on the Hain-Celestial purchase of Nspired Foods, none other than Hain CEO Irwin Simon himself called the California Headquarters of Nspired to summarily dismiss CEO Gordon Chapple.

We're told he left that same day. Read more here .

Either way, there isn't anything really wrong with the move. After all, it is a new owner's prerogative, to make such decisions. However, given the conventional wisdom that a Hain purchase means a consistent and steady decline in sales, one is surprised that a new owner wouldn't utilize the experience of the acquired company's upper management.

This Explains Why We've Had G.W. For So Damn Long

Check it out. We're betting you'll laugh so hard you'll choke on your soymilk.


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