I hope to be able to post this

[katmondoo]

I just came back from the Food store (Florida Kash N Karry)I was shocked; in the vegetable dept EVERYTHING Packaged was labled Green Giant. Potatoes,mushrooms.onions,carrots, etc. Did Green Giant buy up all of our fresh and frozen foods? Now they will have total control. We will not know what is added to our food. The whole thing is more than scary. I am going to another store to see what they are selling.

[goddess40]

1. I think they changed the rules

they no longer have to say where the food originated so a US company can slap their name on it so we all think is was grown here in the US and is therefore safe to eat.

Edit: spelling

[illflem]

2. I'm a farmer

Last I heard a few years ago is after the food hits the middlemen most then comes under just four major brands. This makes it easy for them to band together and bid lower prices thus keeping farmers poor, the middlemen rich and the consumer stuck with few choices.

[goddess40]

7. I read that for each box of Wheaties the farmer gets a nickel

and the jock on the box gets a dime. Something is so wrong with this picture.

[KurtNYC]

3. Florida has country of origin labeling requirements

which some want used across the country.

Country of origin labeling of produce is not a new idea. It was spawned long before recent food safety events that have been in the media spotlight. Florida has had a country of origin labeling law on the books since 1979. Responding to consumer demand, the realities of today's marketplace, and the success of Florida's law, many other states are reportedly considering it. Country of origin labeling is not a new concept internationally, either. Several of our biggest trading partners already require it.


Where it has been implemented domestically, the retail food industry has been cooperative in complying with the labeling requirements. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), retailers have had little difficulty in complying with the standard, and do so through a variety of means. Some use hand lettered signs on or over retail bins, while others have permanent signage. In cases where the information is provided by the shipper or importer on consumer packaging or PLU stickers, retailers don't have to deal with it. FDACS estimates that the cost to comply with Florida's law is approximately 1 to 2 man-hours per store, per week. That's hardly a financial burden.

http://www.americansforlabeling.org/resources/reasons.htm

[sam sarrha]

4. in developing countrie they have No toilets no toilet paper no hand

sanitizing means like soap and water.. our food is at risk = we are at risk

[KurtNYC]

5. Here is the Green Giant story (in breif)

DIAGEO (London)
2000 total revenues (fiscal year ends in June): $17.9 billion
2000 profits: $392 million
Diageo is the result of the 1997 merger of two global giants of the alcoholic beverage business: Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. Grant Met also brought with it Pillsbury Co., the well-known purveyor of baking products and frozen foods (Green Giant brand) it had acquired in 1988. Last year Diageo agreed to spin off Burger King (acquired by Pillsbury in the 1960s) and to sell Pillsbury to its competitor General Mills for some $10 billion; the latter deal is awaiting regulatory approval.

More of interest at: http://www.corp-research.org/archives/jan01.htm

I buy local fresh produce when I can -- tastes better and helps a local small business.

[katmondoo]

8. Thanks KurtNY very informative

[lpbk2713]

6. It might have something to do with the Kash n Karry change.......

It won't be long before KnK ceases to exist. They are converting their stores to Sweetbays. It looks like they will then be more of a "boutique" type grocery store. In my mind that's just a cheesy excuse for hiking their prices.

Background: http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041114/NEWS/411140301/1001/BUSINESS

[flamingyouth]

9. I once bought a little plastic cup of Dole peach slices at a 7-Eleven

When I got back to work, I saw that they were marked, "Product of Thailand" and "Packed in Greece." That made my head spin.

[MissMillie]

10. I'm wondering if....

maybe the 3 hurricanes that hit FL forced the chain to get fresh produce from sources outside of FL. Maybe buying them from a big producer like Green Giant was the only way to keep prices affordable for the customers.

Just a guess. My brother works for Kash N' Karry (in their HR department). I can ask him to look into it fo ryou, if you like.