QUICK
TIDBITS
: While most fast-food chains
still generate billions in profits selling junk food,
at least two national chains are starting to show how
convenience food can be nutritious and sustainably and
humanely produced. Chipotle touts its "Food With
Integrity" philosophy, offering naturally raised
pork, free-range chicken and a sprinkling of organic ingredients
in its Mexican menu¸ while the Panera fast-food
chain serves only all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken,
as well as organic kids’ meals. A recent CIBC World Markets
report indicates the two chains are growing at rates well
above the national average for fast-food restaurants and
attributes that success to the fact that consumers are
increasingly choosing to spend their dollars on healthier
and more ethically produced foods.
Learn more: /old_articles/2006/article_2405.cfm
WHO
CARES WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM?: Surveys show 86 percent
of consumers support a law that would require foods to have
a label indentifying their country of origin. Congress responded
to consumer pressure way back in 2002 and passed a Country
of Origin law (COOL) for beef, lamb, pork, fish, peanuts,
and fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately,
except for fish, this law has never been implemented. The
meat portion of the COOL law was supposed to go into effect
by the end of this month. But some of the biggest players
in the meat industry, including Cargill and Tyson Foods
formed a massive lobbying group affectionately entitled
the "Meat Promotion Coalition." The group has
successfully badgered Congress into delaying implementation
of the law until at least 2008.
Learn more: /old_articles/2006/article_2615.cfm
BEN
AND JERRY’S GET EGGED: Ben and Jerry’s ice cream company
has responded to pressure from animal rights activists and
discontinued sourcing its eggs from a factory farm. The
Humane Society said a June investigation of a Michael Foods
egg farm (where Ben and Jerry’s is sourcing its eggs) found
hens dying of starvation, live hens living among dead ones
and sick or injured birds caught in cage wires. Following
the investigation, the Humane Society launched a campaign
against the ice cream company, entitled "A Scoop of
Lies." Ben and Jerry’s, which was bought by Unilever
in 2000, has announced it will source its eggs from a different
provider. When asked if the company would switch to cage-free
eggs, Ben and Jerry’s CEO Walt Freese made no comment.
Learn more: /old_articles/2006/article_2592.cfm
BE
AN OCA STATE NEWS SCOUT: We need your help. Become a News
Scout! The OCA, with your help, will be unveiling News and
Action Centers for all 50 states in the next few weeks.
We want to keep your state’s news items up to date. Send
us news, events, organizations, and campaigns for your state
Learn more: /old_articles/state/statecontribute.cfm