Market Notes July 29th, 2021

NEW ORGANIC GREED RULES

(First in a series of one)

     On August 5, 2020, The Federal Register, volume 85 No. 151 published the details of a proposed rule by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) entitled Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). For the nerd/geeks amongst us AMS-NOP-17-0065. While most of us were worried about or business, our loved ones, and all things Covid, the USDA provided a sixty-day period for response that ended on October 5, 2020. The new rule has a very broad reach and if approved, which will be decided upon shortly, is approved as is there will be draconian changes in the way that organics are traded, primarily to facilitate millions for the enforcement of said rules.  While these pages often look to levity and sarcasm to catch your eye and have some fun, we will be literal and quote exactly so as not to mislead.  That said we do believe many of these new rules are questionable and proposed to make the implementors richer, organic produce more expensive and the process more exclusive.

     First, let’s look at the funds. The table below is directly from the document on page 4;

	Economic impact of SOE proposed rule
	Annualized a	Total b
Costs	$7,205,815-$7,351,910	$65,629,941-$87,766,628
Benefits	$83,992,975-$86,874,833	$765,000,793-$1,037,106,112
a Estimated 15-year annualized domestic costs for affected industry discounted at 3 and 7 percent. b Estimated total domestic costs for affected industry in Net Present Value discounted at 3 and 7 percent, 15 years.   You can gather what you want from that, those numbers are real.  Where do you think those funds will come from? There is also a huge discussion on certified trucks and a new definition of the word “handle” which is directly opposite of what the word means. Perhaps that’s another discussion.

 

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???

       I am native to southern Europe where I grow both wild and am cultivated.  Used by the Greeks for medicinal purposes, I was also made into a crown for the victors of Isthmian and Nemean games.  Continuing on, I was also part of Circe’s “pleasant lawn” in The Odyssey by Homer.  I was even made into a wreath to ward off drunkenness, but it was never proven effective.  Although I have been used for potting and sometimes even edging, I am primarily used as an edible with peppery green leaves and white roots.  When displayed fresh I am almost never consumed, and I become a common sight for bus boys and dishwashers.  I have over 30 cousins but only two or three are well known.  I can be used fresh, dried, or frozen, each form having its own unique flavors.  As an excellent source of vitamins, A & C, I am used in just about anything from salads, to stews, from egg dishes to pasta, with meat, poultry, or fish, in any vegetable dish in any savory sauce, or in my popular (yet boring) function, as a garnish.  Potatoes are particularly fond of me and there is even a dish in my name. I do have the honor of being a proud member of fines, garni, persillade, and gremolada.  I help control bad breath and even taste great when fried.    

Answer to last weeks quiz….JABOTICABA…Congrats to all winners!

Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702 Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com “like” us @ Culinary Specialty Produce on Facebook© Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2020