Reconnecting Nebraska's Farmers and Grocery Retailers

Sponsored by your Nebraska Grocery Industry Association

Message from Kathy Siefken, Nebraska Grocery Industry Association

Let me take a quick moment out of a very hectic legislative session to once again thank all of you who have taken time to give me thoughts and feedback on our Farmer Goes to Market program.

This e-newsletter is all about providing the truth about our food and where it comes from, about keeping you informed of the facts surrounding the public debate over food, and about explaining what farmers do and, more importantly, why they do what they do.

If you've ever found yourself with a question about something specific today's farmer does to grow our food, drop me an e-mail with your question. I'm sure if you've considered the question, dozens of your fellow grocers have as well. So go ahead and ask, and we'll find an answer.

Again, thanks for your readership and your contribution to the grocery industry in Nebraska.

Sincerely,

Kathy Siefken

Executive Director

Nebraska Grocery Industry Association

Nebraska's soybean farmers are proud to bring you this information to help answer customer questions

Nebraska soybean farmers and their checkoff are proud sponsors of the Farmer Goes to Market program, realizing that this program provides an integral link in the food system chain. The information provided in this newsletter is a key step in our educational initiative, providing consumers with information on our effort to provide them with a safe, affordable, abundant food supply.

The farm and ranch families represented by Nebraska Farm Bureau are proud sponsors of the Farmer Goes to Market program. We take great pride in supporting Nebraska's agricultural foundation. A key part of that effort is to make sure we produce safe and affordable food. This newsletter is an important part of our effort to connect the two most important parts of the food chain -- the farmer and the grocer -- with the goal of increasing consumer awareness and information about how their food is raised in Nebraska.

An educational program produced by Food-Chain Communications and delivered to members of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. Farmer Goes to Market was established in 2008 to help bridge the growing gulf between today's grocery retailer and today's farmer, empowering them with full-chain knowledge to carry agriculture's true message to food consumers.

Navigating the New Food Movement:
Does bypassing supermarkets really help farmers profit? Some new findings

Do farmers markets really improve farmers' profits? Some surprising research findings

Programs like Nebraska's Buy Fresh Buy Local and USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food encourage consumers to buy food outside your traditional supermarket because it helps improve the small farmer's profitability. You may be surprised to find what one soon-to-be-published economic study found about the real world of direct marketing. Click here to read the summary.

Foresight on Food Politics:
Will FDA's restrictions on antibiotics
break the farmer's piggy bank?
Antibiotics restrictions will cost farmers. How much?

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced in mid-December it planned to eventually end the ability of farmers to use most animal drugs marketed in this country for improving how fast and how efficiently animals grow. Because as many as nine out of 10 U.S. hog farmers use antibiotics at some point, could that mean a hit to the pork-supply piggy bank? Some suggested answers from a soon-to-be-published economic analysis.

Competitive Commodity Insight:
Have chicken prices finally peaked?

What's up with chicken prices

Chicken hit its highest retail U.S. price in history late last year. Considering those hikes have come even without any real issues with supply, can retailers expect supply going forward to keep pace with demand? Click here for some market insights.

Translating Food Technology:

Can world food production keep up?
Sobering findings from a Nebraska study

Is world food production maxing out?

The world's farmers will have to double their food production within the next 40 years, some estimates predict. So far, economic predictions have assured us we can keep up that pace. Until now. A new study from University of Nebraska cautions that growth in our ability to meet your consumer's demand for food in the future may be too optimistic. Click here for details.

Meet your Farmers...
Tour this Bassett farm nationally
recognized for its conservation efforts

Listen and watch as Brothers Homer and Larry Buell discuss the conservation practices that have kept their family's Bassett ranch in business for over 130 years.

On the Lighter Side:
The perils of farm reporting

Not everyone's cut out to accurately report on the nuances of farm and food issues, as witnessed by this hilarious clip from one of yesterday's gurus of the anchor desk.

Click here for more details on today's Food Morality Movement