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2010

• Late blight threatens local tomatoes, potatoes | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Experts are warning local farmers and backyard gardeners that tomato and potato crops are being threatened by the same airborne disease that did serious damage to last year's harvest. The culprit is late blight, which was discovered by Cornell Cooperative Extension plant pathologists 10 days ago on tomatoes and potatoes in home gardens in Livingston and Chenango counties. The disease has not surfaced in Monroe County, but local farmers are concerned. (August 12, 2010) democratandchronicle.com | Rochester RocEarth | Democrat and Chronicle  [more on Food & Environment in our area]
• COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES ORGANIC TRANSITION SURVEY RESULTS 40% of Surveyed Conventional Farmers Have Some Level of Interest in Organic   New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced the results of a survey that asked conventional farmers about their level of interest in transitioning to organic agriculture. The survey, conducted in conjunction with the New York Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, found that 40 percent of conventional farmers who responded to the survey have some level of interest in becoming involved in organic production. “As organic food sales continue to expand in the marketplace, organic production continues to be an increasingly viable farm opportunity,” the Commissioner said. “In order to better help our farming community, we needed to identify the level of interest, the perceived barriers to transition and the materials or services farmers are seeking. This survey was successful in providing us valuable information and will enable us to focus our efforts in areas that were identified as important in order to help those interested participate in this growing and exciting market.” The survey, the first of its kind in New York, found 6 percent of those surveyed have a high level of interest in organic production, while 15 percent have a moderate interest and 19 percent a slight interest. Sixty percent of respondents indicated that they have no interest in transitioning to organic farming. A copy of the entire survey report can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/organic/.  (August 6, 2010)  [more on Food & Environment in our area]
• www.WHEC.com - Canned food study A new study suggests people are exposed to a chemical called bisphenol A from everyday consumption of canned goods.   The chemical -- also known as BPA -- has come under scrutiny in recent years because some say it's toxic and could be harmful to our health.  (May 19, 2010) www.WHEC.com - Rochester, NY News [more on Food/Environment in our area]
• New York State Laboratory Links Lettuce to Nationwide E. coli Outbreak State, County Disease Detectives Track Source ALBANY, N.Y. (May 13, 2010) – State and county public health epidemiologists, also known as disease detectives, along with the New York State Health Department's (DOH) Wadsworth Center laboratory played pivotal roles in the identification of lettuce as the source of an outbreak of Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli O145) that has sickened at least 19 people in Michigan, Ohio and New York over the past month.  (May 13. 2010)New York State Department of Health [more on Food and Environment in our area]
• Farmers markets try to become more accessible | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Shoppers at the Rochester Public Market will have a free shuttle to ferry them and their purchases between the market and their cars. Residents at three apartment complexes in the South Wedge can get free transportation to the South Wedge Farmers Market.  (May 11, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Food and Environment in our area]
• Fight underway to protect potatoes and tomatoes from blight - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Finger Lakes, N.Y. — State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced a new strategy to attack late blight, a plant disease that last year killed as signifcant number of potatoes and tomatoes of commercial growers and home gardners. (April 29, 2010) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow  [more on Food and Environment in our area]
• GOVERNOR PATERSON ACCEPTS COUNCIL ON FOOD POLICY REPORT | Annual Report Outlines Recommendations to Improve Access to Healthy Foods   Governor David A. Paterson received the New York State Council on Food Policy’s annual report and recommendations titled, “Making Connections: Developing a Food System for a Healthier New York State.”  Authorized by Executive Order #13, the Council on Food Policy works to preserve and enhance agricultural food production in New York and to ensure that all New Yorkers have adequate access to safe, affordable, fresh and nutritious foods. (January 13, 2010) New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets [more on Food and our environment in this area]

2009

• Farmer's market stretches into winter | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Like many Brighton residents, walking to and shopping at the Brighton Farmer's Market became part of my Sunday morning routine this summer and fall. (November 12, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Food & Environment in our area]
• STATE OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO SERVE IT SAFELY ON THANKSGIVING  | Prevent Food Borne Illness by Practicing Food Safety for Holiday Meals   New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. today reminded consumers to follow cooking and preparation tips when preparing meals during the upcoming holiday season. Many food borne illnesses are preventable if consumers take simple measures to protect themselves and their families. (November 24, 09) New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets  [more on Food & Environment in our area]
• 11/24/2009: Easy and Effective Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Thanksgiving Most people generate more trash than normal during the holidays. In fact, the volume of household waste in the United States generally increases 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day – that’s about 1 million extra tons. Did you know that food waste accounts for 18% of municipal solid waste sent to landfills? More than 30 million tons of food waste is sent to the landfills each year. In the U.S., less than 3% of food waste is being diverted from landfills. (November 24, 09) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [more on Food & Environment in our area]
• Contaminated beef traced to western N.Y. | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ROCHESTER — Contaminated fresh ground beef caused a possible E. coli outbreak that killed two people and sent 16 others to hospitals, federal health officials said Monday.  (November 2, 09)  [more on Food & Environment in our area]
• Nature Conservancy News Room - New Regulations Proposed by U.S. Department of Agriculture to Help Stem the Tide of Non-Native Pests Four hundred non-native insects and plant diseases are wreaking havoc across North America ARLINGTON, VA — October 15, 2009 —The Nature Conservancy, working with industry partners and scientists, is supporting revamped regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve its ongoing efforts to block non-native insects and diseases from entering the country and protect American homeowners, businesses, agriculture and native trees.  (October 15, 09) The Nature Conservancy - Protecting Nature, Preserving Life [more on Food in our area]
• Binghamton residents asked to help prevent tomato blight BINGHAMTON – To help stem the tomato blight now affecting much of the Northeast, the City of Binghamton asks that residents take the following measures when disposing of tomato plants: (August 24, 09)New York State News on the Net!
• STATE ANNOUNCES ALBANY LOCATION OF NEW $40 MILLION FOOD LAB  State-of-the-Art Facility & All 49 Jobs will Remain at State Office Campus in Albany   New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and New York State Office of General Services Commissioner John C. Egan today announced that a new $40 million laboratory facility will be constructed at the Harriman Research and Technology Campus in Albany.  The new state-of-the-art laboratory is the first new structure to be built on the 3330-acre campus in decades and will replace an outdated facility, and will house the New York State Food Laboratory, as well as the State Metrology Laboratory, both divisions of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  All 49 state employees working in the current facility will be retained, which include 44 chemists, microbiologists and metrologists. “New York is a leader in food safety,” Governor David A. Paterson said.  “No other state in the nation has the myriad of food on store shelves, and we take the responsibility of safeguarding our residents and visitors from possible food-related illness very seriously.  I am extremely pleased to announce that we will be constructing a new, efficient and clean energy laboratory in Albany that will enhance our existing food safety programs.” (August  07, 09) New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
• www.WHEC.com - Are organic foods that much better for you? Is all natural food, all that much better? Going organic on your dinner table, might not be what it's cracked up to be. (July 31, 09) www.WHEC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
• Tomato blight surfaces in region | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle If you bought tomato seedlings at a big-box retailer for planting in your home garden, you should check them for signs of a deadly disease that also affects potato plants, agricultural experts recommend. Late blight — the same fungus-based disease that caused the Irish potato famine of the 1840s — has been brought into New York and other parts of the Northeast by infected tomato plants supplied by a grower in the South, Cornell Cooperative Extension said this week.  (July 4, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York  [more on Food and our Environment in our area]
• Fight Tomato Blight - 13WHAM.com (Rochester, N.Y.) - During cold, damp weather tomatoes are particularly vulnerable... to blight. Blight is an infection of bacteria or fungus that can destroy a tomato crop. (July 2, 09) Home - 13WHAM.com
• NEW ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION GUIDES NOW AVAILABLE Guides Assist Farmers who are Transitioning to Organic; Selling to Processors   New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the availability of organic production guides for growers of certain vegetable crops.  The new guides provide information for farmers on how to grow organic carrots, peas, snap beans, and cucurbits, which includes winter squash and cucumbers, for the processing sector. “There is a growing interest from food processors here in New York State to procure local and organically grown vegetables,” the Commissioner said.  “We also have farmers who are seeking to transition to organic production and are in need of specific information on how to grow certain crops.  These production guides were developed in response to both of those desires and are the first in what we hope will be a series of useful and practical production guides for those seeking to transition into organic.” (June 22, 09) New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
• COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES $900,000 FOR NEW YORK SPECIALTY CROPS  - Grants for Fruit, Vegetable, Maple, Honey & Horticulture Producers Applications Due July 17   New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the availability of $900,000 in grants to enhance the competitiveness of New York’s specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funding through the 2008 federal Farm Bill to assist New York’s specialty crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, maple and honey and horticulture crops. “Specialty crops are incredibly valuable to the State’s economy, environment and quality of life. The fruit and vegetable sector is especially important to maintain good health and other sectors help keep New York green,” the Commissioner said. “We need to ensure that this industry remains viable and competitive, and these grants will provide an exceptional funding resource to explore new programs, technologies or other innovative approaches to advance this important sector of the State’s agricultural industry.” (June 17, 09) New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
• From the farm to the cafeteria - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Canandaigua, N.Y. — Strawberries picked from a field in Clifton Springs or Penn Yan at daybreak may wind up, just a few hours later, in the fruit salad served up to kids in the Bloomfield and Victor school cafeterias this month. Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow (June 1, 09)
• The “Veggie Mobile” among finalists in global "Designing for Better Health" competition TROY - Capital District Community Gardens is excited to announce that The Veggie Mobile, its innovative "produce market on wheels" serving low income urban neighborhoods, has been named a finalist in Changemaker's "Designing for Better Health" competition.  A panel of judges selected The Veggie Mobile as one of just ten finalists from a worldwide field of entries. (May 21, 09) New York State News on the Net!
• Without Cafeteria Trays, Colleges Cut Water Use, and Calories - NYTimes.com SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — John Belushi memorialized them in “Animal House” as he stockpiled edible projectiles for an epic food fight. Generations of college students in the Northeast have deployed them as makeshift sleds. But the once-ubiquitous cafeteria tray, with so many glasses of soda, juice and milk lined up across the top, could soon join the typewriter as a campus relic. (April 28, 09) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
• New York state considers trans-fat ban | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — Although lawmakers rejected Gov. David Paterson's plan to tax sugar sodas as a revenue-raiser and public-health measure, they are considering proposals from him and several legislators to ban trans fats, limit junk food in school and require calorie-labeling on restaurant menus. (Aprile 26, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Sierra Club whets appetite for eco-friendly eating | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle All in all, more than 40 exhibits promoting community supported agriculture programs, community gardening, farmers markets, vegan diets and a host of other environmentally related topics drew at least 200 locavores to First Unitarian Church on South Winton Road Thursday. The exhibits were part of the Sierra Club's 11th annual Environmental Forum on Local and Sustainable Food-Local Food Choices. (April 18, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Congresswoman Louise Slaughter - March 17, 2009 - Slaughter Introduces Bill to Curb Excessive Use of Antibiotics in Food Supply   Legislation Would Limit Antibiotic Use in Livestock Feed, Help to Combat Growth of Treatment-Resistant Bacteria - Congresswoman Louise Slaughter - Home
• Rochester-area garden stores see rise in veggie seed sales | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Horticultural experts are predicting vegetables will be a hot item to grow this year. (March 11, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• New crop of farmers in Rochester region | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Throughout the Rochester region, the number of farms and farmers is rising, in apparent defiance of long-term trends in New York. In some local counties, such as Orleans and Yates, the newly released federal agricultural census showed 10 percent to 20 percent increases in the numbers of farms in just five years. (Feb 23, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• “Farms Without Toads: The Canary Banished from the Mine” Farming is nothing if not a set of relationships with living things, and the usual list of intimacies include the farmer and her cow, the farmer and her chicken, and so on. But who ever thinks of the farmer and her toad? Certainly this duo, echoed in fables about princesses, is as old as any working partnership since Adam and Eve. By Jack Bradigan Spula
• Farmers' markets open for the winter in New York State ALBANY  - New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker is encouraging consumers to seek out local produce and other New York produced foods at farmers' markets, even during these cold winter months. There are nearly 50 winter farmers' markets throughout the State that have moved their operations inside for the winter, while still offering locally produced goods. (Jan 19, 09) New York State News on the Net!
• Hardy crops of winter vegetables continue to be in demand at Rochester-area markets | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle "The local foods movement has added a new dimension to the marketplace for farmers, and farmers are scrambling to catch up. There is more demand than there is supply," says Robert Hadad, a Cornell Vegetable Program specialist. (Jan 13, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Rochester RocEarth | Democrat and Chronicle

2008

• Organic milk production is increasing in Rochester | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Rochester is known as an industrial center that gave the world new trends in rolled film, optics and imaging technology. But cows are also a major part of the Rochester area economy, as agriculture is the state's largest industry, and these bovines (and their owners) are leading the way in the trend of organic milk. (Dec 21, 08) Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Farmers oppose proposed environmental tax - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Ontario County, N.Y. — A proposal to clean up the environment by regulating greenhouse gases could cost farmers in New York some $110 million a year, according to farm-advocacy organizations fighting the plan. (Dec 6, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Best to do no harm in growing crops | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Once again, Rochester leads the nation by proactively encouraging the adoption of a new framework for responsible agriculture production and management practices as proposed by the American National Standards Institute. (Nov 11, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• www.News10NBC.com - New food labels If you're headed to the grocery store, get ready to see something new. Some food labels will include more than just nutritional information. Now, you'll know exactly where it comes from. (Sept 10, 08) www.News10NBC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
• COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES WEBSITE FOR COUNCIL ON FOOD POLICY New Website, www.nyscfp.org , Offers History and Vision of Council -New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the creation of a website dedicated to the New York State Council on Food Policy (CFP). The new website, http://www.nyscfp.org , offers information about the history and the vision of the Council, as well as reports, publications and a directory of the Council’s members. New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
• Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Corn prices: Sky-high by Fourth of July - Rochester, NY - MPNnow America’s leading cash crop, corn, is growing well in upstate New York, as flooding in the Midwest sent the price of a bushel to $7.72 today. That’s more than three times the September 2007 price of $2.30 a bushel. (July 6, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Newest Farmers' Market Opens in City -A new farmers' market in Rochester is a place to get fresh food, and a place to get to know your neighbors. The Westside Farmers Market opened in the parking lot of St. Monica's Church on Genesee St. The neighborhood initiative features food from local farmers. (June 18, 08) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• 'Green' grapes growing as Finger Lakes trend | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle On 45 breathtaking acres that border the western shores of Seneca Lake, Doug Miles grows grapes for wine, both red and white. In recent years, however, the president and owner of Miles Wine Cellars has been making significant changes to ensure that all of his wines are as green as possible. (April 27, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Consumers, eateries, meal programs feeling ripple effects of rising costs | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle According to federal figures released last week, wholesale prices rose 1.1 percent in March alone, with food and energy leading the way. The two are inextricably linked, as energy is required to produce and transport most foods, and many food products — grains and grain-dependent meats — are affected by the diversion of corn and soy to energy production. (April 20, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• www.whec.com - High fuel prices increase the cost of food Whether you are preparing for Easter dinner at home or plan on eating out, grocery stores and restaurants are raising their prices. It's not only because of the high cost of gasoline, but also diesel fuel. News 10NBC spoke with a local restaurant about how it’s trying to keep the cost down. (March 23, 06) www.whec.com
• Organic Advisory Task Force formed - Albany - New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker Wednesday announced the formation and members of the New York State Organic Advisory Task Force. The task force is the first of its kind in New York State and its members will advise the Commissioner on how the State can help the organic community address needs and take advantage of opportunities as consumer demand for organic products grows. (Jan 24, 08) New York State News on the Net!

2007

• New organic initiative announced - Albany -- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker Wednesday announced a new initiative within the department that will focus on organic farming. In response to the increasing demand for organic products and the marketing opportunity for New York farmers, the Department has added a full-time organic agriculture specialist position, and has added a new section to the department’s website, Organic Farming Resource Center. (Sept. 27, 07) New York State News on the Net!
• New Farmers’ Market Opening Downtown - 13WHAM.com A new farmers' market is opening in the South Wedge of Rochester. Vendors must produce what they sell from within a 100-miles radius. The market will be open Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting June 14 and running through October. (June 13, 07) http://www.13wham.com/
• Rochester City Newspaper - FOOD: You can get home-grown in the South Wedge Reducing the number of miles that food travels from farm to table can help both the environment and the economy. The new South Wedge Farmers Market - opening Thursday, June 14, in the parking lot behind Boulder Coffee - uses that as its guiding principle, and will focus on bringing strictly locally grown food to the city. (June 06, 07) Rochester City Newspaper
• STATE REASSURES NEW YORKERS OF EFFORTS TO PREVENT BSE - State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers and State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr. P.H. today reassured New Yorkers of the State’s efforts to prevent the introduction of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or commonly called “mad cow disease”) in New York State. Their announcement follows U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman’s announcement of the first presumptive positive case of BSE in Washington State in the United States. - New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

2004

• Yahoo! News - Discount Cards Help in Mad Cow Recall At least one regional grocery chain — 66-store Wegmans, based in Rochester, N.Y. — has been taking the initiative. It has been using its "Shoppers Club" cards to alert customers to recalls for years, sending out postcards about products. Wegmans spokeswoman Jo Natale said the company employs the practice for recalls that could involve severe allergic reactions. "We've had nothing but positive comments," Natale said. (January 23, 2004) Yahoo! News - Front Page

2003

• WXXI: Ocean Fish Don't Pose Mercury Health Risk (2003-05-16) ROCHESTER, NY (2003-05-16) A study by the University of Rochester finds no detectable health risk for the children of mothers who ate large amounts of ocean fish while they were pregnant. The study appears in today's edition of the medical journal "The Lancet." It found that children born to mothers who ate an average of 12 meals of fish a week showed no harmful symptoms. That's about ten times the U.S. Average. (May 18, 2003) Public NewsRoom
•  $11 Million In Federal Aid To Be Sent To NY Apple Farmers (Washington, DC-AP) - New York's apple growers had some of the best quality apples in years last fall. But unfortunately for the growers, it was also one of the smallest harvests ever. State Apple Association spokesman Peter Gregg said upcoming federal aid checks are going to be a big help. The federal government is expected to send out roughly $11million to New York growers as early as this week. (January 15, 2003)  WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER

2002

•  City Newspaper: Things go better with food The garden makes the corner of North Clinton and Upper Falls Boulevard, one of northeast Rochester's busiest intersections, look almost rural. The street noise disturbs the illusion, especially when school's letting out. But look to either side of the small plot and you see reality. On one side you see an eight-foot fence topped with barbed wire; to the other side, much farther away, you see a low-profile plant and parking lots. This is the property of Coca-Cola Bottling Company, which for the past four years has loaned the space to a not-for-profit group. (October 16, 2002) City Newspaper
• Groups Rally Against Irradiated Meat ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (2002-06-28) Wegmans Supermarkets recently started selling Irradiated Meat, which they, and the FDA claims is safe. But several organizations disagree. Those groups plan an informational picket Saturday to get their point across. (June 28, 2002) Welcome Home - WXXI Online
• Easter egg safety If you enjoy decorating eggs and eating them later, there are some important safety tips you should follow. (March 21, 2002) MSNBC Local News

2001

• Farmers here alert to bioterror - Area farmers say this year's foot-and-mouth disease scare may have prepared them for recent threats of bioterrorism and chemical warfare. (Wednesday, September 26, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• Researchers Recommend Telling Your Surgeon Which Herbs You're Taking Read the full report in the 'Journal Of The American Medical Association'. Rochester, NY - A new study published in the 'Journal of the American Medical Association' reports that taking certain herbs before surgery can lead to a number of complications, some of them serious. (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)  iKnowRochester.com
• CITY'S FREE SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN BEGINS JUNE 25
  News Release Date: 06/14/2001 The City will again sponsor a Summer Food Service Program offering free lunches to children, ages 18 and under, funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. --City of Rochester
• Farm market set to open season Vendors to sell fruits, vegetables Thursday evenings in Irondequoit IRONDEQUOIT-- Looking for a good place to buy some fresh asparagus, lettuce, peas, fruit and cheese?  (Thursday, May 31, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• FDA warns of contamination in Mexican cantaloupe May 26 - (Washington-AP) -- The government is warning consumers not to eat Viva brand cantaloupe imported from Mexico. --WHEC
• Green Labels The government is coming out with new standards so when we buy food labeled organic, we'll know just what that means. But Consumer Reports says what other environmental claims mean... is just not as clear. (Wednesday, May 23, 2001) RNews
• Satellite Technology Helping Local Farmers LeRoy, NY - Farming is taking a leap forward with the introduction of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. The combination of GPS technology and computerized management is making local farms more efficient and profitable. (Friday, May 11, 2001) iKnowRochester.com  
• New York Says It's On Top Of Foot-And-Mouth Situation Albany, NY - So far, so good in the Empire State when it comes to foot-and-mouth disease. (Friday, May 11, 2001) iKnowRochester.com  
• N.Y. ponders 'mad-cow' rules -- Even though there have not been any confirmed cases of mad-cow disease in the United States, New York should take the lead in adopting more stringent standards than the federal government to guard against it, a consumer advocate said yesterday.  (Friday, March 30, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• Concerns Growing Over Mad Cow, Foot And Mouth Disease In U.S. Rochester, NY - Federal agents have ordered more than 200 sheep at a Vermont farm put to death for fear of what could be the first case of mad cow disease in the U.S. Concerns of the disease have nearly wiped out the British beef industry. (March 22, 2001) IKnowRochester.com
• That's Organic New rules for the National Organic Program went into effect in February. --Sierra Club 
• Biotech incentives could benefit UR  -- The University of Rochester, Cornell University and the State University of New York at Binghamton could be sites for new centers for biotechnology research under a proposal unveiled yesterday in the state Senate. (March 19, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• Trade show to focus on marketing of local foods  WATERLOO - How to market locally grown food will be the topic of a trade show later this month at the Waterloo Holiday Inn. The theme of the trade show is "Building Business Among Food, Farming and Tourism Industries." Organizers have invited businesses in the 14-county Finger Lakes region to meet with others who promote local food, farm and tourism products and services. (Wednesday, March 14, 2001) Finger Lakes News
• Foodlink Sees Growing Need An agency which provides food to soup kitchens and food pantries in our area sees a growing need. Foodlink says it distributed 17 percent more food in 2000 than the previous year. That amounts to 500,000 pounds of additional food distributed to food pantries and soup kitchens in a ten county area. A Foodlink spokesperson says for some people, it comes down to buying food, or paying the bills.  (February 28, 2001) RNews. 
• Farmers to gather here this weekend Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will deliver keynote address at the farmers convention. When Americans think of farming, images of soybean and wheat fields stretching across the Plains often come to mind. (February 28, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• Inadequate regulations may allow unsafe, contaminated and spoiled fish to be sold at your local market, show studies by the General Accounting Office and watchdog magazine "Consumer Reports." The new research adds to a rash of recent warnings about the potential hazards of some seafoods, ranging from mercury contamination to chemical residues.  WASHINGTON, DC, February 20, 2001 (ENS) 
• Biotech planting rules not clear to all. Many farmers who planted biotech corn still confused. WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 — Nearly 30 percent of farmers who grew biotech corn last year violated planting restrictions designed to keep insects from becoming resistant to the crop, a survey shows. ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Are we running out of fish? --Consumer Reports Online

Frank J. Regan. Copyright © 1998 [RochesterEnvironment.com] All rights reserved. For problems or questions regarding this web contact FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com.