The regional chain of Ingles Markets has a special event called, Taste of Local, based in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina featuring local food producers. One of my missions with this blog is to encourage foodies to support their local food producers, whether it be through CSA”s (Community Supported Agriculture) or buying produce at the local farmers’ markets. Since moving to the Appalachian Foothills area, I have never before witnessed such support for local farmers and food products. Local food producers are able to set up a table and display their products, along with free samples for Ingles’ shoppers. Some products may be available in your own local…
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5 Expected Food Trends for 2018
Being a food blogger, I try to stay up to date on all the industry food trends. Following food writers Marion Nestle and Dianne Jacob, among magazines and blogs, I have found my top five food trends which may influence the grocery and restaurant industries for 2018. 5. Sugar Under Fire Admit it, the United States has an obesity health crisis. One reason the epidemic seems to get worse each year is sugar consumption. I am not talking about naturally occurring sweeteners found in strawberries and fruit. I mean artificially manufactured sugars, which processed food manufactures use to add flavor. Our bodies need sugar, which we turn into energy; however,…
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President Obama Signs Inadequate GMO Labeling Law
The Associated Press is reporting, President Obama has signed the inadequate GMO labeling law which completely negates Vermont’s state law requiring more stringent labeling requirements from companies using genetically modified organisms. New to the GMO labeling controversy? Please read over my recent post about the topic: Senate Nullifies Vermont GMO Labeling Law Senate Considering GMO Labeling Law Per the new law, the U.S. Agricultural Department will have two years to formulate rules and consequences for violators in the food production industry. Companies will be required to disclose genetically modified ingredients through text labels, symbols, or scannable QR codes. As reported by Eater.com “the new federal labeling law supersedes strict GMO…
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Senate Nullifies Vermont GMO Labeling Law
Follow up to yesterday’s post http://joannsfoodbites.com/senate-considering-gmo-food-labelinig-legislation/ Yesterday, the U.S. Senate decided to pass Bill 764. This essentially nullifies Vermont state law requiring food producers to print directly on the label, if their product contains GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms). This bill follows a lawsuit filed by the Grocery Manufactures Association (GMA), along with three other trade associations, challenging the Vermont state labeling law as unconstitutional. This “sham” legislation will allow some products to go completely unlabeled due to a definition of “bioengineered food” that even the FDA has called in to question. Companies will be permitted to use “QR” codes that will be unreadable by Americans without smartphones. Beyond all of…
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Senate Considering GMO Food Labeling Legislation
Are you concerned about what is in your food? I care about what kind of food I am eating and what makes up this food. As a grandmother, I am more concerned about the food my granddaughter is eating. Consumers, myself included, have allowed the federal and state governments to assume the role of regulator. Why have I done this? Why do we continue to allow our government to decide which foods are good for us and which are harmful if consumed? We (Americans) assume the items we purchase at the grocery store are safe to consume and do not incur negative affects on our health. Therefore, we trust the…