Nourish the Thought

Our Five Cents - It's About Time

I was just reading an article that stated Marriott would be canceling their old and tired policy on black outs dates, as of January 2009.  This is fabulous news and a longtime coming.

This is quite timely, as my wife and I are taking our holiday these next weeks, and it was like pulling teeth trying to use our Marriott Reward points.  Actually there were no teeth pulled, because we were told there were no options.  If a time or location was blacked out, it was blacked out and not available.

It has baffled me that many service industry operations do not cater to the golden rule of listening to their customers.  People want to take their trips or simply redeem their well earned points (in any genre) on their own terms, and not be unfairly constrained by black out dates or extra charges (think airlines).

A dear friend of mine gave me my new business mantra:  "don't make it hard for people to give you $$$." 

It looks like Marriott has finally bought into that philosophy.  As of January 15, 2009 Marriott Rewards members will be able to redeem points for free nights at 2,900 hotels any night of the week.  No more stipulations.

Hopefully, this thinking will spill over into other service companies.  One can only dream...

Our Five Cents - School Lunches

School lunch programs have come a long way despite the pressures of the government, administration, students and parents.

Some schools have systems in place that allow the staff to log what a student eats on a daily basis. The system can also alert staff to any food allergies associated with the child. So if they are allergic to peanut butter and they have a peanut butter cookie on their tray, the staff is alerted and sickness may be able to be avoided.

Additionally, school programs these days offer more than the traditional "tray line". Many offer meal option alternatives for purchase such as salad and potato bars, deli sandwiches and wraps, and delivery type pizza.

Meal participation is important to schools. It equates to revenue.  The challenge is to figure out foods the kids will eat that are also nutritious for them.

Your Five Senses - Labeling Laws

Looks like this one continues to have mixed reviews.  Perhaps, time and refinement will provide both more consumer and overall knowledge; as well as, a more relevant application.

Or perhaps, the next food scare will stir more movemnet on this subject.

Your Five Senses- Food Safety

     

    2008 has been a tough year for the several segments of our country including our foodsupply.  Contaminated tomatoes, jalapenos, beef and spinach have all taken their lumps this year and with the ever growing news from China'sbaby formula containing melamine the alarm is sounding louder than ever for new reform to our food safety regulations.

    Donna Garren, vice president of health and safety regulatory affairs for the NRA is quoted in a recent article in Nation's Restaurant News saying,"We have a consumer confidence crisis".  This is truly troublesome to hear, for years we have taken food safety for granted in this country, we believe that the government will take care of us.  The Food and Drug Administration is only responsible for 80 percent of the food eaten in the U.S.  The department of Agriculture is also has some food safety responsibility and has greater better resources, why aren't they held more accountable.

    This is a election year and politicians will be looking for bills to support, there have already been at least 10 hearings in congress this year on specific food safety systems.  One of these bills is the Safe Feast Act.  If signed into law, all imported goods would adhere to the FDA's safety and quality standards for domestic products.  This would also give the FDA the authority to order recalls on contaminated products from our food supply.  This seems to be a quality start to the overall problem.

    Every foodservice operator and manufacturer is well aware of the effect of being involved in a food safety outbreak can do to their bottom line.  So it is up to the operator and manufacturer to be responsible and cognizant of their practices and who they buy from. The government is trying, but can't catch everything, so in year of economic turmoil and elections let's not lose sight of the simple things like, safe food.

We at "Nourish the Thought" would be curious to hear any thoughts from you on how our country can combat food safety in the future.

Your Five Senses - School Lunches

I personally do not have kids in school yet, but I am married to a teacher and he eats the school lunch most every day.  So, I get the comments that I am sure many parents get from their kids.  I hear things like - "...today we had pizza/corn".  This is how he refers to this perfect meal - not as two separate menu items, but rather as one since they are always served together and have been for decades.  I also hear the age old comment about school lunch,"...we had mystery meat today for lunch. I have no idea what it was, so I ate the salad bar".

I have some experience working the with the school foodservice industry. I know they do not have an easy task trying to find healthy, good tasting foods that not only fit their small budgets, but also will be consumed by students and teachers and accepted by parents.  I know some districts have gotten very creative with their lunch offerings based on all the demands from the government, the school administration and the students.  Many offer delivery style pizza versus the 4 x 4 square I remember.

So why am I even writing on this subject.  Well I just read an article about an organized group of physicians that have sent a petition to the USDA to eliminate processed meats from school lunch menus. This wold include items such as hot dogs, ham, deli meats, bacon, etc  Is this realistic?  What are the more healthful alternatives to these products and can schools afford them?  Will the kids eat them?

These are not easy questions and I am sure there are no easy answers for the government, our schools and the community.  Of course childhood obesity is a critical subject that needs to be addressed on an ongoing basis and this is one approach. Any discussion that puts the health of our children first is worthwhile in my opinion. Our schools have a very special and yet difficult task when it comes to feeding our kids nutritious foods they will actually eat while adhering to the guidelnes of the government, the wishes of the parents and the overal budgets they are allotted.

We'll see if this ban passes and if so what happens next.

Our Five Cents - Labeling Laws...for or against; or just unaware

The world has seen its' share of food contamination scandals and American consumers have endured their share of skepticism and cause for concern.

Unfriendly words like, melamine, E. Coli and others have popped up in our vernacular.  Tainted food supplies have become a growing reality.  Milk from China, peppers from Mexico, Spinach from California and beef from Nebraska to name a recent few

Is COOL (Country Of Origin Labels) really cool?  Yes and no in my opinion.  Foods that fall under the COOL guidelines:  meat (whole cuts and ground); fish and shellfish; fruits and vegetables; nuts and ginseng.

Michael Pollan has weighed in with his 5 cents.  Here's the loophole catch - food can be produced under control in one area but then processed and/or packaged in another. 

• Raw chicken at the grocery store will have a label, yet that same raw chicken that has been roasted in the grocery deli does not need a label. 
• Raw peanuts would need a label, roasted peanuts would not.
• Cantaloupe would require a label, however if the store cuts it up for sliced fruit or in a salad it does not need a label.
• I may love New Zealand lamb and look for it in stores, but once it is processed the control is lost.
• This also only distinguishes from country to country vs. state to state within the USA.  Food can be produced in one state and then packaged in another.  How do we track that properly?

Processed foods seem to have been the source of recent scares.  Perhaps, as COOL matures, we can figure out a more robust, practical and relevant application.  It's a good start, but we need more detail to food labeling measures so they can accurately advise the consumer and be relevant in today's world.  Would love to hear your thoughts.

Your Five Senses - Where's Your Passion

Do you consider yourself a traditionalist or are you adventure?  You can probably answer that question in several different ways depending on the subject. Well, in this case, the subject is M&M's.

So now how would you answer the question - are you a traditionalist or are you about adventure when it comes to M&M's? Do you go for the long-standing plain or peanut version? Have you branched out slightly and eat the peanut butter or mint versions on a semi-regular basis? What about dark chocolate M&M's - have you tried them?

Good news for those who are looking for adventure and a more premium version of the M&M. They are called M&M Premiums - they are made from an entirely different chocolate recipe and sport a speckled metallic skin instead of the bright colors that we are used to from the traditional plain or peanut varieties.

Who will this new line of M&M's attract? Will they become the next status symbol of the stars or our very vocal, very outgoing tween set? Or will the traditionalist unite and make a stand for the familiar, but oh so tasty plain or peanut.

I, for one, am anxious to try the new M&M Premiums, but I feel certain my heart will always lie with the good old plain M&M.

Your Five Senses-So Much Reality

We have been bombarded over the last several years with reality television, everything from George Foreman to dog grooming.  Cooking themed shows have become one of the most popular discussed around the office water cooler.  As a chef I have a few that I enjoy watching and a few that I feel like we could do without.The exposure that the food industry is receiving is great, shows like Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen and The Next Food TV Star are giving cooks that chance to share their passion with a national audience.Each show has its pros and cons in my mind.

Top Chef is my favorite, I feel like this show provides the most talented cooks in comparison to others.  The judges are well respected chefs in the industry, the cities they are shot in are legitimate "foodie towns"  and they honestly put out some dishes that have inspired me to try their techniques and flavor combinations.

I also watch the Next Food Network Star.  This show is not my favorite, but what I like about it is that these are people who aren't afraid to put their neck out there.  Some of the shows that Food TV produces aren't just for chefs, some are geared for the busy mom or dad who wants to put a home cooked meals on the table.  Guy Fieri is a great example of the kind of person that can talk food and entertain with the style to keep you watching. He is a past winner of this show and now has one of the most watched shows on Food TV.

I can't write this post without mentioning the show that no pun intended, makes my blood boil.  Hell's Kitchen in my mind exemplifies how reality TV can go drastically wrong.  Chef Ramsey is actually a very accomplished chef and restaurateur, but with a notorious temper.  I can deal with the temper, but the talent and some of the ridiculous challenges they have on the show is where it suffers.  I'm don't mean to rant, but the thought that he will pay one of the winners 250,000 and they will run a brand new restaurant that Ramsey owns is a joke.

Nourish the Thought would like to know your thoughts on reality cooking shows.  Also, tell us about which shows you watch and why.  We are looking forward to hearing about your favorites.

our Five Cents-2008 International Year of the Potato

This is a big world with different races, creeds and colors.  We are similar in the fact that we need sustenance to survive, some are lucky and don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.  For the majority of the world food is something not taken for granted.  Those are the people that will benefit from the increased income and food source that potatoes could provide.

2008 is the year of the potato, what other crops and economic relief do you feel could be an answer to the world's poor and hungry? 

Really? no seriously...REALLY???

InBev agrees to buy Anheuser for $50 billion!  Enough said.  Is this really happening?

What does everyone think about this?  Please send your comments.