(This story was published originally in the February 2012 issue of Foodservice News, a sister publication to Harvest Foodservice Journal. Regulations and resources mentioned in this article are specific to Minnesota, but similar rules and listings exist in most states that impact local sourcing.)
By Theresa Heiland
It might be frigid outside, but spring will arrive sooner than you think. If you’ve thought about sourcing local product from a small farm, it’s time to get a jump on establishing your product standards.
The local food movement has done much to increase market opportunities for local farmers. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the number of farmers markets listed in the statewide Minnesota Grown Directory has grown from 74 in 2006, to 128 in 2010, to 145 in 2011. Similarly, CSA farms (Community Supported Agriculture) grew from 14 in 2006, to 59 in 2010, to 85 in 2011. Consumers are more informed about how their food choices affect them personally and in our social, economic and natural environments. Further, “regional food sheds” and “local food hubs” are now part of local governments’ regular discussion in land-use planning.
TDF rider a victim of beef?
The story broke Monday that Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour De France title for blood doping, and was suspended from competitions.
(Bear with me folks, as a cycling afficionado, how often is it that I can combine it with my day job, which is writing about sustainable food, agriculture and the restaurant business?)
Contador tested positive for clenbuterol, a hormone that is sometimes used to plump up livestock—namely beef. It’s used widely in China, but banned in Europe. According to the New York Times, Contador claimed that the positive test came from a steak that was delivered from Spain to France by a friend, which he ate on the last rest day of the Tour. He is considering appealing his suspension, which lasts until August 6, 2012.
Is this possible? It’s not without precedent. That same Times piece reported that in 2010 German table tennis player was cleared of doping charges after testing positive for the hormone, which he claimed from eating beef in China—evidence presented proved that clenbuteral is present in Chinese beef.
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