Nicaragua still thinks it can build a better canal than Panama after 200 years of trying – Quartz

Today, Nicaragua’s parliament is expected to approve proposals by a Chinese consortium to build a canal across the country to rival that of Panama. The $40 billion project could double Nicaragua’s GDP and create 40,000 construction jobs over an 11-year construction period.

via Nicaragua still thinks it can build a better canal than Panama after 200 years of trying – Quartz.

If you think cutting down the Amazon is a planet killer, then you have not seen anything yet – connect the Pacific and Atlantic and watch what happens to marine life and then us! And what would the environmental impact on Nicaragua? They are only thinking about money and status, not life.

Canada Recalls Sprouts for Possible Salmonella Contamination | Food Safety News

Sunsprout and SproutsAlive brand alfalfa sprouts, manufactured by Sunsprout Natural Foods in Branford, Ontario are being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

via Canada Recalls Sprouts for Possible Salmonella Contamination | Food Safety News.

Egypt’s Wheat Harvest Mired by Politics

Morsi in his speech said this year’s harvest will reach 9.5 million tons, an increase of 30 percent over last year, when he said the total was 7.5 million tons.

But the government’s own statistics agency has put the 2012 crop at 8.7 million, meaning that if the harvest does reach the prediction, the increase would be just under 10 percent, a slightly larger rate than previous years’ reported growth.

But there are doubts even the 9.5 million figure can be reached. A report by the U.S. Agricultural Department said predicted Egypt’s production this year at about 8.7 million tons.

Abu Bakr Abu Warda, deputy head of the Corps Institute at Egypt’s Agriculture Ministry, told The Associated Press on Monday that the real figure is likely to be even lower, between 8 to 8.5 million, based on the amount of land believed to have been planted with wheat and the average yield. The harvest ends this month, and he said an official figure is not yet out as the ministry accumulates the data.

via Egypt’s Wheat Harvest Mired by Politics.

Mich. Company Recalls Sunflower Seed Products

A Michigan snack food maker is recalling sunflower seeds due to the potential of listeria contamination.

Lipari Foods in Warren, north of Detroit, says Wednesday the recall includes Raw Sunflower Seeds, Roasted Sunflower Seeds, and Snack Mixes.

They are among 52 items distributed from April 5 to June 11 to manufacturers and retailers in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

The company says no illnesses have been reported.

A Michigan Department of Agriculture sampling project revealed that retail packaged raw sunflower seed products contained Listeria monocytogenes. Lipari says the company’s investigation pointed to bulk seeds purchased from a supplier.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, which is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Symptoms can include high fever and severe headache.

via Mich. Company Recalls Sunflower Seed Products.

Amazon CARES: Dogs In Amazon’s Only No-Kill Shelter Need Your Help Now!

Although the concept is very foreign in Peru, our Peruvian office is considering running a food drive in order to provide the dogs we shelter with better quality food at a more reasonable price. We’re unsure how successful a food drive will be, but we are willing to do whatever we can to help these dogs in need!

 

You can help too! You can help us with the extra expense of food by making a small contribution to our cause by following this link: http://www.crowdrise.com/dogfood Please consider sharing our cause with your friends!

Any contribution you make will go a long way in helping us to provide great nutrition and care for these wonderful dogs!

via Amazon CARES: Dogs In Amazon’s Only No-Kill Shelter Need Your Help Now!.

Welcome to California Cantaloupes | California Cantaloupes – safe to eat again?

The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board represents a commitment to the highest level of safety and quality for all cantaloupe consumers. California cantaloupes are produced under a mandatory food safety program that invites government auditors to inspect all aspects of farming, packing and cooling operations.

via Welcome to California Cantaloupes | California Cantaloupes.

If inspectors are not funded – then the invitations will mean nothing and listeria will be found making people ill again. They either pay for inspection themselves to the USDA, there is no assurance of safety!

Supreme Court says human genes cannot be patented – The Washington Post

The Supreme Court says companies cannot patent human genes, a decision that could profoundly affect the medical and biotechnology industries.

In a unanimous decision, the court struck down patents held by Myriad Genetics Inc. on two genes linked to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Opponents say patent protection shouldn’t be given to something that can be found inside the human body.

via Supreme Court says human genes cannot be patented – The Washington Post.

Dutch Futurist: Scenarios for the future of urban farming — City Farmer News

The Citizen grower

Lots of people who live in cities share the wish to be active in food production. Kitchen gardens are popular among young and old. The barren grounds and rooftops look tempting to these gardeners. People start to ask the city government if they could use these parcels for growing food. Some cities have pro-actively responded to this demand and made maps of available parcels and rooftops.

People use the food that they grow to sell on neighbourhood markets. Near a garden complex there is often a restaurant, where meals are served made from fresh neighbourhood produce. The unemployed start off as waiters and other personnel in the restaurant, making it easier for them to find a paid job later on. Schools and children are involved. They are physically active and learn about healthy food.

City councils are happy with this movement and develop additional education programs to help people learn about the nature of food. They also facilitate the growers’ movement in all sorts of ways, for instance by making it easier for businesses to donate or act as barter in a project. In this way the city, businesses and citizens connect through the growing of food.

via Dutch Futurist: Scenarios for the future of urban farming — City Farmer News.

Food Politics » The endless debates about salt: Don’t worry. Eat (real) food

Food Politics » The endless debates about salt: Don’t worry. Eat (real) food.

The bottom line, Bittman says (and I enthusiastically agree), is that

Salt intake — like weight, and body mass index — is a convenient baseline for public policy people to talk about. If you focus on eating less salt — and, indeed, less sugar — you will inevitably eat less processed food, fast food, junk food (it’s all the same thing.) If you eat less processed food (etc.) you eat more real food. If you eat more real food, not only are you healthier, but you probably don’t have to pay attention to how much salt you’re eating. Wowie zowie.

Census: Rural US loses population for first time – KansasCity.com Spin – not news

Truth – accuracy – who cares? Eyes on page and profits from advertising – that’s what counts! Rural America is losing population for the first time ever, largely because of waning interest among baby boomers in moving to far-flung locations for retirement and recreation, according to new census estimates.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/06/12/4289881/census-rural-us-loses-population.html#storylink=cpy

via Census: Rural US loses population for first time – KansasCity.com.

People left rural America in droves from 1914 to 1940 – duh? Someone forget industrialization and the growth of American cities in their rush to appear to be bringing you new dramatic news!