4. Scholarships available for farmers and extension educators to attend
The 2006 CSA conference
Raising Vegetables and Civic Values: CSA in the 21st Century
Second Biennial Conference for Community Supported Agriculture
When: November 10-12, 2006
Where: Kettunen Center near Tustin, Michigan (Just south of Cadillac)
Contact: CSA-MI
3480 Potter Rd
Bear Lake, MI 49614
231-889-3216 (toll free 877-526-1441)
Email [log in to unmask]
Please forward this information to people in your area who may be
interested. In addition to the farmer scholarships mentioned below, we
have scholarship support for agricultural professionals -- Extension,
NRCS, MDA, FSA, etc. -- who are interested in learning more about CSA so
that they can better support farmers in CSA ventures. Contact Susan
Smalley, [log in to unmask], if you may be interested in an ag
professional scholarship.
The workshop schedule is nearing completion, the keynoters are getting
their presentations ready and the mini-school curriculum is being
hammered out.
The best news is that we have a SARE grant to help farmers with the
costs of the program. Nearly 50 participants (more if some other grant
money comes through) can benefit from this program. You can apply by
going to the website below and downloading the application form (look in
the conference section of the site for 'financial assistance' or click
on http://csafarms.org/csafarms7462042.asp
<http://csafarms.org/csafarms7462042.asp> ). Contact us direct with your
mailing address for a printed copy.
Check the website, too, for updates on the program, speakers and other
details.
5. Seeking a certifying agency for your organic or transitioning farm?
New Farm (from Rodale Research Farm) has a web site that offers
comparison that you can compare agencies side by side or take a look at
the whole list based on type of certification you are seeking. You can
take a look at their fees, how it is staffed, strengths as directed by
some customers, number of farms they inspects as well as their size and
type of farm. This site of course also provides the contact information.
http://www.newfarm.org/ocdbt/ is where you can compare certifiers and
search for a certifier for a specific quality.
6. WHO CARES WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM?
Surveys show 86 percent of consumers support a law that would require
foods to have a label identifying their country of origin. Congress
responded to consumer pressure way back in 2002 and passed a Country of
Origin law (COOL) for beef, lamb, pork, fish, peanuts, and fresh and
frozen fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, except for fish, this law
has never been implemented. The meat portion of the COOL law was
supposed to go into effect by the end of this month. But some of the
biggest players in the meat industry, including Cargill and Tyson Foods
formed a massive lobbying group affectionately entitled the "Meat
Promotion Coalition." The group has successfully badgered Congress into
delaying implementation of the law until at least 2008.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_2615.cfm
<http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_2615.cfm>
7. Build the Organic Consumers Political Candidate Survey!
This survey is a cooperative effort by thousands of grassroots organic
consumers like you. With your help, we can make the organic movement a
strong political force.
Organic consumers' association survey for Michigan is sponsoring this
survey for our representatives to complete regarding organic food and
its role in our food system. Please take a moment to see the results of
your Michigan state senator's response to the Organic Consumer survey.
You can also make a request on your behalf for your representative to
complete the survey. Just go to this web site and click on your
representative to send a survey.
http://organicconsumersfund.org/state/mi.cfm
<http://organicconsumersfund.org/state/mi.cfm> You can also see which
ones have responded to the survey questions and their score.
8. FDA Statement on Foodborne E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Spinach
This statement is current as of September 24, 2006. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) will continue to provide the public with
regular updates on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak each day until further
notice.
Update
To date, 173 cases of illness due to E. coli O157:H7 infection have been
reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
including 27 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), 92
hospitalizations and one death.
To date, 25 states have reported cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection.
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and the Salt Lake Valley Health
Department (SLVHD) have confirmed that E. coli O157:H7, the same strain
as that associated with the outbreak, has been found in a bag of Dole
baby spinach purchased in Utah with a use by date of August 30, 2006.
Laboratory tests were conducted by the Utah Public Health Laboratory
(UPHL).
On September 22, 2006, two (2) more firms initiated voluntary recalls:
Triple B Corporation, doing business as S.T. Produce, of Seattle,
Washington and Pacific Coast Fruit Company of Portland, Oregon. Triple B
is recalling its fresh spinach salad products with a "Use By" date of
8/22/2006 thru 9/20/2006 (see list below). Spinach used in these
products may have been supplied from Natural Selections Foods of
California. The recalled products were distributed in Washington,
Oregon, Idaho and Montana to retail stores and delis and sold in a hard
plastic clamshell container. Pacific Coast Fruit Company of Portland,
Oregon is recalling products that may include spinach supplied by
Natural Selections Foods (see list below). All salad products will have
a "USE BY DATE" on or before Sept 20, 2006. Pizza products will have a
"USE BY DATE" on or before September 23, 2006. Pacific Coast Fruit
Company stopped making all products with spinach supplied from
California on September 14, 2006. The products listed were distributed
in Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
FDA is working closely with CDC and the state of California. FDA has
determined that the spinach implicated in the outbreak was grown in
three counties: Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara in California.
Spinach grown in the rest of the United States has not been implicated
in the current E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The public can be confident
that spinach grown in the non-implicated areas can be consumed.
Consumers are advised not to purchase or consume fresh spinach if they
cannot verify that it was grown in areas other than the three California
counties implicated in the outbreak.
Other produce grown in these counties is not implicated in this
outbreak. Processed spinach (e.g., frozen and canned spinach) is also
not implicated in this outbreak.
Industry is working to get spinach from areas not implicated in the
current E. coli O157:H7 outbreak back on the market.
Investigators from FDA, CDC and the state of California are working to
narrow the area implicated in the current E. coli O157:H7 outbreak even
further.
States Affected
The 25 affected states are: Arizona (7), California (1), Colorado (1),
Connecticut (3) Idaho (4), Illinois (1), Indiana (8), Kentucky (8),
Maine (3), Maryland (3), Michigan (4), Minnesota (2), Nebraska (9),
Nevada (1), New Mexico (5), New York (11), Ohio (20), Oregon (6),
Pennsylvania (8), Tennessee (1), Utah (18), Virginia (2), Washington
(3), Wisconsin (43), and Wyoming (1).
Laboratory Findings
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and the Salt Lake Valley Health
Department (SLVHD) have confirmed that E. coli O157:H7, the same strain
as that associated with the outbreak, has been found in a bag of Dole
baby spinach purchased in Utah with a use by date of August 30, 2006.
Laboratory tests were conducted by the Utah Public Health Laboratory
(UPHL).
The New Mexico Department of Health announced on September 20, 2006,
that it had linked a sample from a package of spinach with the outbreak
strain of E. coli O157:H7. The spinach was eaten by one of New Mexico's
patients before becoming sick. DNA fingerprinting tests determined that
the strain from the spinach matches the strain from patients in the
outbreak. The package of spinach that tested positive was "Dole Baby
Spinach, Best if Used by August 30."
Five (5) Recalls
On September 22, 2006, Pacific Coast Fruit Company of Portland, Oregon
initiated a voluntary recall of products that may include spinach
supplied by Natural Selections Foods. Pacific Coast Fruit Company
stopped making all products with spinach supplied from California on
September 14, 2006. The recalled products are:
Baby Spring Mix Salad Kit (4.6 lbs), Chef on the Run- Bacon Spinach
Salad (9 oz. plus 2 fl. oz. dressing), Chef on the Run - Spring Greens
Salad (5 oz. plus 2 fl. oz. dressing), Chef on the Run - Willamette
Valley Salad (10 oz. plus 2 fl. oz. dressing),Trader Joe's - Baby
Spinach and Greens with Bleu Cheese, Candied Pecans and Cranberries with
Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing (10 oz.), Trader Joe's - Baby Greens and
Spinach Salad with Wild Maine Blueberry Dressing (10 oz.), Mediterranean
Veggie Blend Kit - 15 lbs, and My Brothers Pizza Spinach and Garlic - 15
oz. and 36 oz.
Most of the salad products can be identified by the labels Trader Joe's,
My Brothers Pizza or Chef on the Run and are in clam shell containers.
Pizza products are in round cardboard bottoms with a plastic over wrap.
All salad products will have a "USE BY DATE" on or before Sept 20, 2006.
Pizza products will have a "USE BY DATE" on or before September 23,
2006.
The products were distributed through various retail outlets in Alaska,
Oregon, Washington and Idaho. There is no international distribution.
On September 22, 2006,Triple B Corporation, doing business as S.T.
Produce, of Seattle, Washington, initiated a voluntary recall of its
fresh spinach salad products with a "Use By" date of 8/22/2006 thru
9/20/2006. Spinach used in these products may have been supplied from
Natural Selections Foods of California. The recalled products were
distributed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana to retail stores
and delis and sold in a hard plastic clamshell container.
The products recalled by S.T. Produce are: NWG Spinach Salad (5
oz.),Spinach Salad, QFC (5 oz.), Charlie's Spinach Salad (5 oz.),
Charlie's Tabouli & Goat Cheese Salad (10 oz.), NWG Tabouli & Goat
Cheese Salad (10 oz.),Tabouli & Goat Cheese Salad, QFC (10 oz.), T/H
Spring Mix Salad (5.5 oz.), T/H Mozzarella Spring Mix Salad (5.5 oz.),
T/H Baby Spinach Salad (5.5 oz.), Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad w/
Grilled Chicken Breast (6.5 oz.), Larry's Market Tabouli & Goat Cheese
Salad (10 oz.), Charlie's Seasonal Greens Salad (2.5 oz.), Charlie's
Seasonal Greens Salad (4 oz.), Charlie's Baby Spinach Salad (6 oz.),
Charlie's Baby Spinach Salad (5 oz.) and Caesar Bowtie Noodle Salad Kit
with Grilled Chicken Breast (6.9 lbs).
On September 19, 2006, RLB Food Distributors, L.P., West Caldwell, NJ,
initiated a voluntary recall of certain salad products that may contain
spinach with an 'Enjoy Thru' date of 9/20/06. See:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/rlb09_06.html
<http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/rlb09_06.html> . The products
recalled by RLB are: Balducci's Mesclun Mix 5 oz., Balducci's Organic
Baby Spinach 5 oz., Balducci's Mixed Greens 5 oz., FreshPro Mesclun Mix
5 oz., FreshPro Organic Baby Spinach 5 oz., FreshPro Mixed Greens 5 oz.,
FreshPro Salad Mix with Italian Dressing 4.75 oz., and FreshPro Salad
Mix with Ranch Dressing 5.25 oz.
On September 17, 2006, River Ranch, of Salinas, California, announced a
voluntary recall of packages of spring mix containing spinach. River
Ranch obtained bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural
Selections. The following brands are involved: Fresh N' Easy Spring Mix
and Hy-Vee Spring mix containing baby spinach, distributed to retailers
in Texas, Iowa, New Mexico, Georgia and Ohio. Product was packed in 5
oz. bags and 5 oz. plastic trays. Products that do not contain spinach
are not part of this recall.
On September 15, 2006, Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Juan
Bautista, California, announced a voluntary recall of all products
containing spinach in all brands they pack with "Best if Used by Dates"
of August 17, 2006 through October 1, 2006. These products include
spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, both retail and food
service products. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of
this recall.
Natural Selection Foods, LLC brands include: Natural Selection Foods,
Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach,
Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature's
Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe's, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley,
Cheney Brothers, D'Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family
Farm, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer's Market, Tanimura & Antle,
President's Choice, Cross Valley, and Riverside Farms.
The affected products were also distributed to Canada, Mexico, Taiwan,
Hong Kong and Iceland. No illnesses have been reported from these
countries. FDA continues to investigate whether other companies and
brands are involved.
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 Illness
E. coli O157:H7 causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most
healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can
develop a form of kidney failure called HUS. HUS is most likely to occur
in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious
kidney damage and even death.
Lettuce Safety Initiative
The FDA developed the Lettuce Safety Initiative
www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lettsafe.html
<http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/lettsafe.html> in response to
recurring outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in lettuce. As a result of this
outbreak, the initiative has been expanded to cover spinach. The primary
goals of the initiative are to reduce public health risks by focusing on
the product, agents and areas of greatest concern and to alert consumers
early and respond rapidly in the event of an outbreak. This initiative
is based on the 2004 Produce Safety Action Plan, intended to minimize
the incidence of food borne illness associated with the consumption of
fresh produce.
FDA continues to work closely with the CDC and state and local agencies
to determine the cause and scope of the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in
spinach. Please check www.fda.gov <http://www.fda.gov/default.htm> for
updates.
Vicki Morrone
Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist
Michigan State University
C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems
303 Natural Resources Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-353-3542
517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3834 (fax)
http://safs.msu.edu/
http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/
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