Tasty Food and Wine From The Valley

Chuck Zimmerman

They’ll be saluting agriculture on the west coast very soon. Any announcement that contains phrases like “menu of local produce and bold red wines” catches my attention. So check out the Taste of The Valley Food and Wine Show. The Salinas Valley, located on the Central Coast of California and known as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” will be …

Farm Shows, Food

Win $25,000 for Culinary Expertise with the Cranberry

Laura McNamara

Got a passion for cranberry? How about just a great cranberry recipe? Submit your cranberry concoction in Ocean Spray’s Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest and you could win $25,000. Ocean Spray has announced its first ever Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest seeking original cranberry creations from those passionate about the little, red wonderberry. Consumers willing to indulge their passion for cooking with …

Food

Cream of the Seafood Crop

Laura McNamara

The salty fruits of the sea are rising in popularity with consumers, and health benefits are being touted as one of main reasons for the rise in seafood consumption. The National Fisheries Institute says data from the NOAA Fisheries show that Americans consumed 16.5 pounds per person last year. That’s up from 16.2 pounds in 2005. NFI says overall seafood …

Food

“Orchard Perfect” Fruit Finding Way to Grocer’s Freezer

Laura McNamara

We’ve all seen that Florida’s Natural commercial where the juice company promises “to bring the grove to you.” Now, a new company is promising to bring “Orchard Perfect” fruit to your grocer’s freezer. Warm weather creates the optimum time to grow tasty fruit and vegetables but Stop & Shop is combining a special handling process with fresh fruit growers to …

Agribusiness, Food

Star Spangled Spuds

Chuck Zimmerman

I found these last week just before July 4th and they were on our table after roasting them in the oven. I think Frieda’s has a hit on their hands Frieda’s Star Spangled Spuds are a delicious combination of rich and buttery Yukon Gold, vivid purple-fleshed Purple Potatoes and moist and creamy Red Potatoes. Bake, boil, roast or mash and …

Food

Cook That Meat Right

Chuck Zimmerman

I’ll be doing my holiday grilling this evening since I’ll be in Oklahoma City tomorrow. USDA wants to remind people about making sure their meat is cooked properly with this story from their audio news service. Whether summer cooking consists of charcoal, a gas grill, or even wood, the key is still to make sure meat and poultry is cooked …

Food

A Free Milkshake From Krystal

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s an example of how you can use a MySpace page. It’s called the Krystal Lover’s Lounge. You can download a print a coupon for one of their MilkQuakes from the site. Since it’s MySpace it’s a blog and they’ve got posts. It looks like they’ve got 630 friends so far. It’s hot outside. And summer doesn’t “officially” begin for …

Food

I Scream You Scream For Dippin’ Dots

Chuck Zimmerman

Have you ever tried Dippin’ Dots? They are awesome. How about winning a year’s worth? Kicking off the summer season with “cool” news for ice cream lovers, Dippin’ Dots today announced a call for entries for the “Adventures of Packy Movie Mash-Up Challenge” — the company’s first-ever, user-generated online contest. Contestants are invited to create an animated short film starring …

Food

Carbonate Your Strawberries

Chuck Zimmerman

This sounds like a very tasty treat. Carbonated strawberries you can make yourself. I love strawberries, always have. I remember my Mom telling me that when we’d go to the U-pick field near where I grew up in central Florida I’d always eat more than I picked. I think she exaggerated. Thanks to the California Strawberry Commission for this idea. …

Ag Groups, Food

Get Juicy Gossip on Meat

Laura McNamara

Beef, poultry, pork… pick your pleasure. The American Meat Institute is launching a new Web Site to demonstrate how the meat industry responds to consumers and constumers. The American Meat Institute (AMI) today launched www.TheMarketWorks.org, a new web site showcasing how U.S. meat and poultry industry structure and practices are a response to signals from customers and make the U.S. …

Beef, Farm Policy, Food, Pork, Poultry