What's the worst thing to say to a farmer? Hi, I'm from the government, I'm here to help
We figured out about 15 years ago that the worst thing to say to a farmer was, Hi, I’m from the government, I’m here to help, cause we hung out with farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration apparently hasn’t figured this out, and went all gushy about how the two agencies are sharing people and resources to develop new produce regs.
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Farmers across the nation were cleaning themselves after hearing the news from Washington.
“USDA's fresh produce chief will join FDA to develop new food safety rules, as part of a cooperative initiative between FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Today's announcement comes amid beefed up outreach efforts with key agriculture and safe food stakeholders to better share and exchange produce safety ‘best practices’ and ideas.”
Will this result in fewer sick people? No . Is it complete bureau-speak that no one, especially those that grow fresh produce for a nation, will care about? Yes. Saturday Night Live captured the do-nothingness that has already cloaked the Obama change administration.
Raw seafood should not be packed and sold with fresh produce
It’s the biggest thing to happen in Manhattan (Kansas) grocery shopping … at least since we went away a few weeks ago.
The Hy-Vee opened.
And the Kroger-owned Dillon’s where we usually shopped is making some changes.
The first time we visited our usually bustling Dillon’s after the Hy-Vee opened, the place was a ghost town. Row after row of marked down products and a sense of malaise. We asked an employee why it was so quiet and he said, “It’s quiet?”
By yesterday, however, the pace at Dillon’s had picked up, and some new products had been added as well as a small demonstration kitchen near the meat aisle.
One of the new products was this (above right). Raw (previously frozen) scallops, packed with cherry tomatoes and lettuce. This seems like an exceedingly bad idea – microbiologically.
Fresh basil and bird poop
Last year, with Amy’s guidance, was the first year I really started cooking with fresh herbs. Basil and tomato (and formerly cheese, right), fresh pesto, bruschetta, it’s all good.
Except for the bird poop.
Here are a couple of our basil leaves with some semi-fresh bird plops – similar to the ones I washed off the car earlier today. When preparing dishes with fresh herbs, wash thoroughly (which can be difficult) or cook the poop out. Or both.
Michelle Obama promotes fresh produce; how about microbiologically safe produce?
The New York Times continues the fascination with all things Obama this morning as it reports on First Lady Michelle’s focus on fresh produce.
“You know, we want to make sure our guests here and across the nation are eating nutritious items. Collect some fruits and vegetables; bring by some good healthy food. We can provide this kind of healthy food for communities across the country, and we can do it by each of us lending a hand.”
In a speech at the Department of Agriculture last month, Mrs. Obama described herself as “a big believer” in community gardens that provide “fresh fruits and vegetables for so many communities across this nation and world.”
I am too. Brought the seedlings in yesterday as a temporary cold snap hit Kansas, but the greens and asparagus will soon be sprouting from the family garden. I also know fresh produce is also the biggest source of foodborne illness today in the U.S. That’s because it’s fresh, and anything that comes into contact has the potential to contaminate.
So, yeah Michelle, promote the produce, but organic and local do not mean safe. Play up those producers who responsibly manage microbial risks. And if you’re going to put your kids dining habits front and center, you really don’t want them barfing.
Kristen Schaal, otherwise known as Mel from Flight of the Conchords, offered her take on First Lady Michelle last night on the Daily Show.
