Kiwi Dairy Producer Eyes Expansion in China

The growing middle class in the world’s fastest growing nations is fueling demand and prices for milk.  New Zealand’s Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd. produces about a third of all internationally traded dairy products.  Fonterra is now building a second dairy farm in China and plans to be involved in multiple Chinese farms to meet the demand for safe, healthy milk.  

Its strategy faltered during the 2008 contaminated milk scandal, because the New Zealand dairy producer had a 43% stake in one of the companies responsible for the tainted milk.  Fonterra wants to help Chinese dairymen back on their feet and simultaneously take advantage of growth opportunities.   

India, another key player, has traditionally been self sufficient in dairy, but trends show that their consumption is growing faster than they can produce it.

France puts rising food prices at top of G-20 Agenda

President Nicolas Sarkozy made food a priority at a meeting of Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations last week.  As Western Europe's largest grain producer, France addressed rising world food prices by proposing to improve transparency in commodities markets.  Some agricultural nations such as the U.S., Canada and Brazil oppose greater regulation, saying that it would make markets a less-effective reflection of supply and demand.  

Insects as Future Source of Meat?

Most of the developing world already eats insects.  They are high in protein, B vitamins, and they are low-fat.  Their taste is nutty.  Insects need less feed than beef or pork and produce less waste.  What's not to love?

Dutch entomologists started promoting insects as food in the 1990's.  This year their festival, "Wageningen--City of Insects," attracted 20,000 visitors.  It's possible that one day in the not-too-distant future, crispy crickets will be as popular as sushi or kiwis.  After all, both kiwis and sushi have been relatively new additions to the Western menu.

Food prices pushing millions into poverty

The World Bank released new data showing that the cost of grain and other staples is just 3 percent below its historic high in 2008 -- a level that touched off food riots in several countries.  World Bank President Robert Zoellick urged major nations to find ways to stabilize world food prices.

Chef Sam Kass to open IACP's New York regional conference Feb. 18

 Chef Sam Kass, First Lady Michelle Obama's Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, will kick off the two-day conference at a plenary session at 2:00 pm., discussing how professional chefs can join the Let's Move! campaign to "change the way our children eat."

Mrs. Obama celebrates first anniversary of Let's Move! in NPR interview

"There is no way that the first lady can or should go into someone's house and tell them what to eat — it doesn't work. It wouldn't work in my household — in fact, I would resent it. But what I do know that parents want is they want help."  --Michelle Obama

Listen to the story on National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

Slow Food USA sponsors TEDx Manhattan event with live streaming on Feb. 12

Slow Food USA President Josh Viertel and more than twenty speakers will discuss how to shift the food system to provide good, clean and fair food for everyone.  Tune in at 10:30 a.m. ET, or find a viewing party (or host your own) in your area.