Culinary Art

Laura McNamara

You can’t argue with appreciating the art of cooking. The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is sponsoring Photography for Philanthropy, a culinary art auction to benefit City Harvest. A group of renowned celebrity chefs have prepared exquisite culinary dishes that have been captured through the lens of famed photographer Diana DeLucia, publisher of New York Restaurant Insider. …

Farming, Food

Juice Up with the Berenstain Bears

Laura McNamara

Kids love juice boxes and they love Berenstain Bears. That’s reason enough for The Berenstain Bears and Sensible Slippers Organic Juice Boxes to team up to promote healthy drink options for kids. R.W. Knudsen Family(R) is partnering with The Berenstain Bears(TM) for the launch of Sensible Sippers(TM) Organic Juice Boxes, available nationwide this Fall. Sensible Sippers are 100 percent certified …

Advertising, Food

Strawberries and Pregnancy

Laura McNamara

Strawberries are being promoted as an excellent source of folate for pregnant women. The California Strawberry Commission says a new study links folic acid to reduced premature births and that means consumers should be shopping more produce. The Today Show recently reported about a study that shows folic acid supplements greatly reduced the risk of premature birth. Meanwhile, federal health …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Food

Agri-Culture: Curry Red

Laura McNamara

Have you ever wondered where red curry get it’s color. It comes from the chalky red seeds of what my guide called the “curry plant”. My research shows that his “curry plant” is not the same plant known as the curry plant in English. Nor is it the same as the curry tree. I couldn’t quite identify what we call …

Farming, Food, International

Agri-Culture: Going Bananas

Laura McNamara

Bananas are a staple of Southeast Asia. In Thailand, small crepes stuffed with bananas, chocolate and condensed milk are popular treats and are often the staple for the average backpacker. Banana shakes are also a favorite. (Personally, I go for banana-coconut shakes.) The same goes for Cambodia as well as Vietnam. Although, neither of those countries offer “banana pancakes” that …

Farming, Food, International

Agri-Culture: Viet Tea

Laura McNamara

Tea is just as common of a drink in Vietnam as coffee. Well, green tea that is. Vietnamese black tea is used for exports. But the green tea is a local favorite. At most restaurants, you get Vietnamese tea free with every meal. Some restaurants serve better local tea than others. Sometimes, it can be quite bland. Other times, the …

Agribusiness, Farming, Food, International

Tuesday’s Burgers Today

Chuck Zimmerman

Alright burger lovers. You’re not alone, not by a long shot. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about eating one of life’s best food choices. I think burgers should be in their own food group category. And don’t forget that famous line from Wimpy (Popeye), “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” You can find your very …

Beef, Food

Agri-Culture: The Vietnamese Coffee Bean

Laura McNamara

I didn’t just see hills covered in coffee plants during my motorcycle excursion through central Vietnam. I also witnessed just how the locals dry their beans. No, there are no big factories or warehouses with some sort of huge electrical dryers as you might imagine. The Vietnamese way isn’t quite so fancy or complicated. The locals just lay some tarp …

Agribusiness, Farming, Food, International

Cali Orange Comeback

Laura McNamara

Last year, California orange growers sustained a crippling freeze and lost 40 percent of their crop. But, this year California citrus growers are reporting healthy, plentiful crops. Call it global warming or just a freak of nature, but last year’s crop of California oranges weathered a forty percent decrease because of a devastating freeze. Thanks to good planning and a …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Environment, Farming, Food

Agri-Culture: Central Highlands of Vietnam

Laura McNamara

As I mentioned before, I haven’t quite made it back to the States yet after traveling to Germany in November (where I covered the Agritechnica farm equipment show in Hanover). For the last month and a half or so, my travels have taken me throughout much of Southeast Asia. I have already posted pics from when I stumbled upon a …

Farming, Food