NASDA News February 26, 2007

NASDA To Co-Locate U.S. Food Export Showcase With Specialty And Organic Events In 2008
Published: February 26, 2007

NASDA has announced that it will co-locate the U.S. Food Export Showcase (USFES) in Chicago in 2008. Together with the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.'s (NASFT) Fancy Food Show and the Organic Trade Association's (OTA) All Things Organic , the co-location will create the largest display of specialty, ethnic, artisanal, natural, organic, and American-made, ready-to-export food products in the U.S. The event, scheduled for April 27 to 29, 2008, at McCormick Place, is expected to draw large delegations of food buyers from North America and around the world.

"The partnership with NASFT and OTA will produce a world-class event that will benefit food buyers in the global retail and specialty industries," explained NASDA's Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Richard W. Kirchhoff. "With the committed support NASDA has obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the show participants will include the best America has to offer in packaged and ready-to-eat food products," said Kirchhoff. "Chicago is an ideal location for this event." Ann Daw, president, NASFT, added, "We are pleased to further develop our relationship with NASDA and OTA, creating a world-class event worthy of Chicago."

The U.S. Food Export Showcase is designed to help small- and mid-size food manufacturers tap into the growth potential of international markets. NASDA will work closely with its members, the four affiliated state regional trade groups (Food Export Association of the Midwest, Food Export USA - Northeast, Southern U.S. Trade Association, and the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association) and FAS to offer food industry entrepreneurs an affordable way to reach food buyers from around the world.

For information on attending or exhibiting at the U.S. Food Export Showcase in Chicago's McCormick Place, go to http://www.nasdatradeshows.org.

Established in 1952, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT) is the only U.S. trade association representing all segments of the specialty food industry. Today, there are 2,500 members that produce nearly 180,000 specialty food products. The NASFT is the owner and operator of three Fancy Food Shows, and is the publisher of Specialty Food Magazine, which reaches 30,100 trade professionals and Specialty Food News, an electronic newsletter with 47,000 readers; and hosts http://www.specialtyfood.com and http://www.specialtyfoodmarket.com. For more information on the Fancy Food Show, visit http://www.fancyfoodshows.com.

The mission of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment. As a membership-based business association, the OTA focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA's 1,700 members include farmers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and more. For further information, visit OTA's website at http://www.ota.com. For more information on All Things Organic, visit http://www.organicexpo.com. (Contact: DeWitt Ashby)

Lawmaker Introduces Rural Health
Published: February 26, 2007

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) recently unveiled a comprehensive rural health legislative agenda. His proposals address the numerous challenges facing rural communities and were introduced in a series of seven bills.

Coleman's legislation is aimed at the shortage of rural health care personnel, the need for improved mental health services in rural communities, and the expansion of remote monitoring to make the most advanced healthcare more accessible. His agenda also focuses on the long-term sustainability of Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), rehabilitating dilapidated CAH buildings, and enabling those rural hospitals to better compete for funding to modernize their health information technology systems. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

USDA To Implement Risk-Based Inspection At Plants
Published: February 26, 2007

USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond on February 22 announced a timetable for implementing a more robust risk-based inspection in processing plants. Beginning in April, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) personnel will start performing food safety verification procedures based on risk in thirty prototype locations representing about 254 establishments.

The agency will be performing inspection tasks for the first time based on an objective measurement of a plant's inspection track record and the relative risk of what is produced. FSIS intends to better utilize the information regularly collected by inspection personnel at processing plants to improve food safety. By taking into account the relative risk of what each processing plant produces and how each plant is controlling risk in its operations, FSIS will more effectively allocate inspection resources to those processing plants needing it the most, while continuing daily inspection at all processing facilities. The level of inspection at a processing plant will be based on a number of objective factors such as public health related inspection noncompliances and FSIS microbiological testing results and will be updated each month so that inspection resources can be adjusted as conditions change.

Raymond said that gradually implementing risk-based inspection will ensure that all aspects of the program can be thoroughly evaluated and revised as needed before it is expanded nationwide. The program could potentially expand to approximately 150 locations by the end of 2007. Additional information is available on the FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

FDA Announces Web-Based Training On Food Defense
Published: February 26, 2007

In July 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its new food defense awareness initiative, ALERT. ALERT identifies five key points that industry and businesses can use to decrease the risk of intentional food contamination at their facilities. In an effort to ensure that all stakeholders have access to the ALERT message, FDA has developed a web based training module titled "ALERT: Food Defense Awareness". This training module provides stakeholders with the information they need to begin thinking of ways to prevent intentional food contamination within their scope of control. The ALERT training module is now available at the following web link, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/alerttoc.html. Questions about the ALERT initiative, including the content of the web-based training module, should be directed to Ms. Marion Allen via email at marion.allen@fda.hhs.gov. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

Gov. Henry Praises Committee For Passage Of Biofuels Measure
Published: February 26, 2007

Oklahoma's state Senate Energy Committee last week unanimously approved an ambitious plan by Gov. Brad Henry to help position Oklahoma as a global leader in biofuels. Senate Bill 510 would establish the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center (OBC) to coordinate research and development of biofuels at Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and the Ardmore-based Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

"Renewable energy is an important part of the nation's energy future, especially in light of the fact that more than half of our nation's oil supply comes from foreign sources," Henry said. "Oklahoma's expertise in energy and agriculture issues makes us ideally suited for a pivotal role in biofuels development. The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center would help diversify our state's economy, protect our environment, create high-paying jobs and contribute to a revitalization of rural Oklahoma."

Biofuels research supported by the OBC would include development of feedstocks (primarily cellulosic biomass), collection and transportation, conversion technologies and distribution. Because the center would provide a particular boost for the state's rural and agricultural economy, it would also feature an education component to help interested farmers and ranchers make the transition to energy crops and adopt best management practices.

S.B. 510 is authored by state Sen. Jay Paul Gumm (D-Durant). (Contact: Jack Carson, 405-522-4575)

Minnesota's Organic Acreage Increased More Than 50 Percent In Last Five Years
Published: February 26, 2007

The amount of Minnesota farmland dedicated to organic production increased more than 50 percent since 2000, according to a new Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) report on the state's organic farming sector. The MDA report also shows Minnesota leads the nation in organic corn and soybean production, and remains in the top 10 for organic production of other grains, dairy and beef cattle.

According to the report, Minnesota had more than 525 certified organic farms in 2006. Certified organic acreage grew 57 percent from 2000 to 2005, to slightly more than 129,000 acres. The complete report, titled "The Status of Organic Farming in Minnesota; a Report to the Legislature," can be viewed on the MDA website at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/esap/organic/organicrpt2006.pdf.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson said the continued growth of Minnesota 's organic agriculture sector is driven by the popularity of organic products.

"The ability to give consumers what they want is vital in today's agriculture economy, and Minnesota 's success with organic production shows we have that ability," Hugoson said. "Strong consumer interest is driving demand for organic farm products and ingredients, and we expect continued growth in this area."

The MDA report cites studies by the Organic Trade Association showing the estimated sales of organic food and beverages grew at just over 18 percent per year between 1997 and 2005. Nationwide, sales of organic food reached $13.8 billion in 2005.

The report shows Minnesota's organic farmers are optimistic about their profitability and their future. More than three-quarters of farmers surveyed said they expected they or a family member would still be farming in 20 years. Although they have a positive outlook, the report shows organic growers face production challenges including weed and pest control, drift from non-organic operations, and the limited availability of local food processing, particularly for meat.

The MDA report lists several recommendations for supporting the continued growth and vitality of Minnesota 's organic farming industry. These recommendations include providing information and technical assistance to help growers learn about certification requirements and marketing options and providing assistance to farmer groups to help them to explore and pursue value-added organic business opportunities. (Contact: Margaret Hart, 651/201-6131)