SO WHAT'S NEW WITH THE FOOD INDUSTRY?

There are a lot of new and interesting ideas coming into the food industry and each days shapes a different spin on what the consumer desires. So if you are like many of us, you need to keep up on current events. Just watching the news lately, you hear daily reports on the oil spill and the damage it has caused to our food supply in the Gulf.  Never mind that this region has still not fully recovered from the devastation left by Katrina in 2006. Their are fisherman and local restaurants who have been effected by these recent enviormental catastrophes, who are now also going through tough economic uncertainty. The socioeconomic downturn has risen into the forgound of the food industry.
So it goes back to the industry as a whole, which is always looking at ways to create and improve on our food supply. Whether we are talking about minimizing environmental hazards, developing super seeds to withstand the worst crop conditions or purchasing locally grown food staples. This is always a subject worth discussing. There is such a major movement going on today in this country, which is fueling the education sectors. Students across the country are learning to eat  "consciously" and have a higher understanding on agriculture and farming. It is foreseeable to see future educators placing more ownness on health and wellness. It will probably be required to take mandatory courses on food and nutrition. This will also open up, to the next generation, a plethora of new job opportunities. As Generation X evolves, as too will the technology. While their on the quest to improve our food supply and find alternative methods to safeguard the environment. As this generation ages, you we will see a growing dependence on the cyber world in their quest for convience. Even today, the agricultural schools are presently arranging to have their students grow their own vegetables on small plots of land along with making composts to assist the students with paying for their tuition ! The rise in food education blends the lines between food science and socioeconomic factors, as it pertains to wellness. An example of this would be, creating organic pesticides that are less harmful to the environment and that will overcome the issues of Franken foods. Changes like this are happening everday in this new socioeconomic climate. The industry is reacting to these shifting conditions as it finds new ways to meet those demands and presents new opportunites and recources.
Now there are so many avenues in which one can suss out the information they desire, whether it's in agriculture, food science, production or new food creations. Many of us in the industry will say, that going out into the field is the one of the best ways to keep ahead of the curve. And so it is not uncommon, for me to frequently attend food shows, seminars, classes and networking events. However, there are also relevant sites that I frequent to gather information on the latest advancements. So please, feel free check out this link to the National Restaurant Association, http://www.restaurant.org/  for further information.

I apologize to my readers that I have been away attending many workshops. It has been a very busy summer for me! I promise, moving forward, that I will be more prudent in my postings and ensuring weekly articles!


Best Regards,


Chef SamBFD

PS:  Please continue to support the efforts in the Gulf and Haiti.
       God Bless America!


Next week : A VERY IMPORTNAT BLOG ON:
"WHO DECIDES HOW MUCH  FOOD IS PRODUCED & THE FOUR MAJOR PLAYERS, IN FOOD INC."