NEWSWATCH 2011-09-12

AFT HONORS FARMERS' MARKETS

WASHINGTON — The American Farmland Trust here has announced the selection of America's Favorite Farmers' Markets, chosen in a national online poll hosted by AFT's website. More than 90,000 votes were cast from throughout the U.S. during the summer, according to a press release.

Near the deadline, competition became heated, with the top 20 markets in each division changing positions, sometimes daily, according to Jane Kirchner, AFT's senior director of marketing and communications. Winners were chosen in four different divisions. North Port, Fla.-based North Port Farmers & Craft Market won in the Boutique Markets division for markets with 15 or fewer vendors.

The Small Markets division (16-20 vendors) was won by the City of Rockford Farmers Market, Rockford, Mich. Historic Lewes Farmers Market in Lewes, Del. won the Medium Markets division (31-55 vendors), and the Large Markets division, for farmers' markets with 56 or more vendors, was won by the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market, Las Cruces, N.M.

“The America's Favorite Farmers' Markets contest is not about being the best, it is about celebrating the unique qualities of farmers' markets everywhere and to help increase awareness of the importance of supporting farmers economically and saving farmland,” said Kirchner. “We hope that all of the markets have seen increased interest in, and visitors to their markets as a result of the promotion, and that they will participate in next year's contest.”

CONGRESS AT ODDS ON SAFETY

WASHINGTON — Funding for food safety inspections could be the next issue headed for congressional deadlock. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up a bill that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration a $50 million increase over its Fiscal 2011 budget, according to a report from Food Safety News.

The extra money is intended, in part, to fund increased inspections mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act. Meanwhile, the House version of the same bill would cut the FDA's budget by $285 million compared with Fiscal 2011, according to the report.

The House bill would also cut the budget for USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service by $35 million, decreasing funding for meat, poultry and egg inspection by about 4%.

CUB FOODS HOSTS MEALS CONTEST

STILLWATER, Minn. — Cub Foods last week launched a social media contest called “Plenty Fresh for Plenty Less.” Customers can enter by submitting creative meal ideas using fresh ingredients that can be purchased for under $20, and then posting the idea on Cub Foods' Facebook page between September 7 and September 15.

“It can be one meal or more,” the company explains in a release. “Prepare your dish (or dishes) and take a photo or video of the creations and post them on the Cub Foods Facebook page. Make sure to include a picture of the receipt highlighting the ingredients and price paid.”

A panel of Cub Foods judges will review all entries and select seven finalists. Then, Cub Foods will invite customers to vote on these finalists between September 30 and October 7. One grand prize winner will receive a year worth of free groceries, the first runner-up gets a $250 Cub gift card, and the five remaining finalists will each win a $50 gift card.