The Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) has confiscated approximately 1,500 metric tonnes of paddy rice, valued at approximately $15 million, after it was deemed unfit for consumption.

Paddy rice is the unshelled form of the cereal, which is usually imported for further processing to make white rice, for distribution into the local commercial trade.

Senior Food Storage Scientist at the FSPID, Tamara Morrison, told JIS News that the rice was seized after a ship in which it was being transported, that docked at the Kingston Pier, was inspected by the department’s Food Storage Inspector.

The rice, which was imported from the United States by a local distributor, was found to be contaminated with what appeared to be dried out animal carcasses.

Ms. Morrison, who is also Head of the Agency’s Training and Information Unit, advised that a detention notice was placed on the rice and samples collected and submitted to the FSPID’s Rodent Biology and Control Laboratory for identification. The results revealed that the contaminants were the carcasses of rodents and frogs.

“Our observations would suggest that the carcasses got into the commodity prior to loading of the ship. this suggests that it was stored under unsanitary conditions,” she informed.

Ms. Morrison said the seizure is the first such for the year. She informed that the matter was discussed extensively with the consignee and a disposal notice served, accordingly.

Arrangements were made for the rice to be returned to the United States, she said, as “Jamaica does not have the facilities to handle such a large volume for disposal”.

Approximately one metric tonne of white rice, valued approximately $10,000,

which was imported during 201l, was confiscated and ordered disposed by the FSPID, after it was deemed unfit for consumption.

The FSPID is the regulatory department within the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, with responsibility for ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food entering commerce.    

by Douglas McIntosh, JIS Reporter

BENEFITS

· MARCH 31

19th annual Comics for Kids dinner and auction. 5:30p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine grand tasting tent, at the Equestrian Center, Portola Road and Stevenson Drive, Pebble Beach. Stand-up comedy provided by Rita Rudner. Live and silent auction. Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. $300. 394-5171, bgcmc.org.

· MARCH 31

Butterfly ball. 6-10p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Live music, open bar, appetizers, silent auction and door prizes. All proceeds support the museum. Advance tickets: $50 for museum members, $100 all others or $85 for a membership and advance ticket. 648-5716 ext. 11, pgmuseum.org.

· MARCH 31

“Shake, Rattle & Roll to the ’50s.” 6-10p.m. Saturday, March 31, in the Ferrante Room at the top of the Marriott, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey. Three-course dinner, wines, live and silent auctions, dancing and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit PacRep Theatre. $125. 622-0100, pacrep.org.

· MARCH 31

the Marina Foundation’s luau fundraiser. 6p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the American Legion, Post 694, at 694 Legion way, Marina. Dinner, live entertainment, silent auction and door prize. Benefits local youth, teen, senior and cultural programs. $25. Children under 12, $15. 717-4117, themarinafoundation.org.

· APRIL 4

“Guys and Dolls” fashion show and luncheon. 11a.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. Silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefiting the Carmel Valley Women’s Club 2012 Scholarship and Community Fund. $65. 659-0934.

· APRIL 19

Peace of Mind Dog Rescue fundraiser. 5:30-7:30p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Abalonetti’s, 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. Enjoy award-winning Monterey County wines and taste a variety of Abalonetti’s famous dishes. All four-legged attendees are encouraged to wear their finest fashion statement. Fashion show will be emceed by GO! editor Mac MacDonald. All admission proceeds benefit Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. $30. Reservations required. 373-1851.

· APRIL 21

the 11th annual Crystal Ball. 5:30p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Reception, dinner, auction and live music by Matt Masih and the Messengers. Benefit for Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services. $80 before April 6, $90 after. Tables of 10 for $750 in advance only. 384-3388, cchas.org.

· APRIL 22

Third annual wish upon a Tree Fundraiser. 2-5p.m. Sunday, April 22, on the Oak Tree Terrace at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 old Golf Course Road, Monterey. Wine, food and live music. $25 per person. Children 10 and under admitted free. All proceeds benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates of Monterey County and Animal Friends Rescue Project. 372-1234, hyattregencymonterey.com

· MAY 19

Monterey Sunrise Rotary Club presents “Crab Grab.” 6p.m. Saturday, May 19, at St. Angela’s Parish Hall, Lighthouse Avenue and 10th Street, Pacific Grove. Crab dinner and silent auction. Benefits Project Helping Hand. $50. 655-4839, crabgrab05190.weebly.com.

CLASSES

& WORKSHOPS

· MARCH 29

Cooking Class: Sunday dinner. 6:30-8:30p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Stone Creek Kitchen, 465 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Monterey. Comfort food rich in flavor and simple to prepare. $65. 393-1042, stonecreekkitchen.com.

· MARCH 29

Chemotherapy hair loss workshop. 6-7:30p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Boomerang Hair Studio, 230 Grand Ave., Pacific Grove. Learn about hair loss and hair piece selection and care. Instructor: Larry Zellers. Free. Reservations: 920-7185.

· MARCH 30-31

“The Rumi Renaissance” lecture and “Sacred Relationships” workshop. Lecture 7-9p.m. Friday, March 30. $20 before March 26, $25 at the door. Workshop 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m. Saturday, March 31. $85 before March 26, $100 at the door. both events held at Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel. Speaker: Andrew Harvey. 402-7374.

· MARCH 31

Growing great tomatoes workshop. 1:30p.m., Saturday, March 31, at McShane’s Nursery, 115 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas. Free. 455-1876.

· MARCH 31

Introductory emergency planning class. 6-9p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Monterey City Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. Preparing people to deal with most emergency situations. Attendees should be age 13 and older. Free. Reservations: conamonterey@aol.com.

· MARCH 31

Composting workshop. 9:30-11:30a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Monterey Regional Waste Management District, 14201 Del Monte Blvd., Marina. Composting yard and kitchen scraps reduces the amount of “garbage” going into landfills. Free. 372-3196 ext. 102.

· MARCH 31-APRIL 1

Monterey Bay Sailing Club demonstration weekend. 11a.m.-4:30p.m., Sat-Sun, March 31-April 1, at 78 old Fisherman’s Wharf, on right finger pier, Monterey. Opportunity to “test the waters” of boat ownership through a one-hour cruise with a licensed captain. Sailing experience not required. $25. 372-7245, montereysailing.com/ sailreservation.

·APRIL 6

Japanese Tea seminar 11a.m.-12:30p.m. Friday, April 6, at Cha-Ya Annex, 108 Webster St., Monterey. Speaker: tea instructor Masanori Shirakata. Free. 646-5486.

·APRIL 13

International Humanitarian Law Course. 9a.m.-1p.m. Friday, April 13, in the McGowan Building, Room MG102 at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, 411 Pacific St., Monterey. Class about the rules of engagement in armed conflict. Free. 566-8841, hofmann .

· THROUGH MAY 2

Vinyasa Yoga Class. 5:15-6:30p.m. Wednesdays through May 2 at Prunedale Dance Center, 8550 Prundedale Road North, Suite B, Prunedale. Donation. 415-244-9255, s@sarahyogadance.com.

EVENTS

· MARCH 29

“An Introduction to Olive Oil Tasting.” 5:30p.m. Thursday, March 29, in the parker Room at Montrio Bistro, 414 Calle Principal, Monterey. ask questions of expert Louis Gonzalez who has been an olive oil taster for more than 14 years. $10. 646-5632, .

· MARCH 30

Book and plant sale. 9a.m.-3p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Carmel Foundation, Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Street, Carmel. Free. 620-8703.

· THROUGH MARCH 30

Italian Catholic Federation’s Lenten fish dinner. 5:30-7p.m. Fridays through March 30 at San Carlos Cathedral Hall, 500 Church St., Monterey. Takeout available at 5p.m. $12, $6 for children 6 to 10, children under 6, free. 375-3666.

· MARCH 30

Monterey County Hospitality Association presents “Steinbeck Returns to Cannery Row and All that Jazz.” 6p.m. Friday, March 30, at the InterContinental the Clement Monterey, Prescott Street at Cannery Row, Monterey. Live music by Dizzy & Grover, Monterey Jazz Festival County High School Big Band. $125. mcha.net.

· THROUGH MARCH 30

Fish dinners. 6p.m. Fridays through March 30 at our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 9 El Caminito Road, Carmel Valley. $12 for adults, $8 for children 5 to 12 years old, free for children under 5. Takeout avialble. 659-4700, 659-7073.

· MARCH 31

Celebration for new ecologically designed classroom. 10a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 31, at the Hilton Bialek Habitat adjacent to Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Classroom designed to model solar electricity, solar thermal, rainwater catchment, living roof, passive solar design, responsible waste management, sustainable food choices and more. Free. MEarth.info.

· MARCH 31

Valley Yoga and Movement fundraiser. 5-7:30p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Valley Yoga and Movement, 16 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Drumming, fire and belly dancing and more. $15. valleyyogaandmovement.com.

· APRIL 1

Marina Certified Farmers Market. 10a.m.-1p.m. Sunday, April 1, at the Marina Village Shopping Center, 215 Reservation Road, Marina. Marina Tree & Garden Club’s Cutting Day. bring cuttings, seedlings and other garden items for exchange. it is not necessary to contribute items to participate. Look for the exchange tables set up in the Marina Farmers Market starting at 10 a.m. please bring your offerings by 1p.m. Free. 384-6961.

· APRIL 4

Seniors Easter party. 9a.m.-12:30p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Firehouse Recreation Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $5 per person. Deadline to purchase tickets is April 2. 775-4286.

· APRIL 5

Pop-Up Dinner. 6p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the new building at the Hilton Bialek Habitat adjacent to Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Special culinary event to help support MEarth’s programs. $65. MEarth.info,brownpapertickets.com/event/235995

· APRIL 7

Monterey Peninsula Nisei Veterans’ 47th Easter Egg Hunt. 11a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Del Rey Oaks Park at the end of Angelus way, Del Rey Oaks. Children ages 9 and younger, as well as handicapped children (no age limit), are invited to participate in this free egg hunt with more than 2,000 eggs and plenty of prizes. in the event of rain, eggs will be given away. 372-0219.

· APRIL 7

the 12th annual golden egg hunt. 11a.m.-1p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside. the Easter egg hunt is for preschool children to 12 years old. Bounce house, petting zoo, 7,000 eggs, craft center and a visit from the Easter bunny. in case of rain, event will be held in the Oldemeyer Center. Free. 899-6800.

· APRIL 7

Spring celebration. 10:30a.m.-1p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Barnyard, Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Free egg hunt. Scavenger hunt and raffle. Benefiting Special Kids Crusade and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. $2 per ticket or three for $5. Scavenger Hunt $15 (under 8 free with an adult). 624-8886, thebarnyard.com.

FILMS

· APRIL 2

“A Defiant Volcano” and “Seeds of Hope.” 6:30p.m. Monday, April 2, at the Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. “A Defiant Volcano” is 1985, a documentary about the people’s struggles in Central America. “Seeds of Hope”, 1983, a documentary about hope and survival in the civil war in El Salvador. Free. 899-7322.

· APRIL 5

“2012: A Time for Change.” Potluck at 6:30p.m. Bring a dish to share and your own place setting. Movie starts at 7p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Big Sur Grange, Highway 1, Big Sur. $10. 667-8823.

LITERARY

EVENTS

· MARCH 30

Author Frank Bardacke. 7p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. Discussion of new book “Trampling out the Vintage.” 899-7322.

· MARCH 31

Selected shorts. 8p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at Ninth Avenue, Carmel. Short stories by established and emerging writers performed by stage and screen stars. $30-$50. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

· MARCH 31

Creative nonfiction. 3p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Fourth Avenue and Guadalupe Street, Carmel. New work by Michael Reid and Patrice Vecchione. $10. 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org.

· APRIL 10

Author Yiyun Li. 7p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in Carpenter Hall at the Sunset Center, Ninth Avenue and San Carlos Street, Carmel. Author of “The Vagrants.” Yiyun Li grew up in Beijing and came to the United States in 1996. Her writings have been published in the New Yorker, best American Short stories, O Henry Prize stories and elsewhere. $10. 624-2811, carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org

MEETINGS

· MARCH 30

“Dine Out” seniors. 4p.m. Friday, March 30, at Bayonet Blackhorse Golf Course, 1 McClure way, Seaside. 655-9168.

· APRIL 2

Monterey Bay Talespinners meeting. 6:30p.m. Monday, April 2, Monterey Public Library Community Room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. Short business meeting followed by sharing of tales. Free. 646-8584, 372-5762.

· APRIL 5

Monterey County Genealogy Society. 7p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Family History Center, 1024 Noche Buena, Seaside. “The Library of Congress: Navigating their Websites and Accessing their Records,” by Dayna Jacobs. mocogenso.org.

· APRIL 10

Monterey Audubon Society meeting. 7p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum, Forest and Central avenues, Pacific Grove. Program: Birds of Paradise and other delights of West Papua, Indonesia. Free. 656-9168.

MUSIC

· MARCH 29

in My Universe. 7-10p.m. Thursday, March 29, at East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington St., Monterey. Donations. 373-5601.

· MARCH 29

Leeward Fate, Sean Ryan Smith. 7:30-9p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Alternative Cafe, 1230 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. All ages. $8. 583-0913.

· MARCH 30

Jeffrey Halford & the Healers. 7-9p.m. Friday, March 30, at Plaza Linda restaurant, 9 Del Fino place, Carmel Valley. $10. 659-4229. plazalinda.com.

· MARCH 30-APRIL 1

Next Generation Jazz Festival. Various times and locations Fri-Sun, March 30-April 1, throughout downtown Monterey. more than 64 bands compete for a spot on stage at the 55th annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Free. 373-3366, montereyjazzfestival.org/2012/NGJF.

· MARCH 31

Monika & Adam Greenaway. 7p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Plaza Linda restaurant, 9 Del Fino place, Carmel Valley. $10. 659-4229. plazalinda.com.

· MARCH 31-APRIL1

Aria presents “HeartSong.” 8p.m. Saturday, 3p.m. Sunday, March 31-April 1, at Carmel High School Center for the Performing Arts, 3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel. Aria is a choir of the Monterey Peninsula Choral Society. Premiere concerts will feature a repertoire from Schumann’s “Widmung” to a Celtic Riverdance. $15-$25. Tickets: ariamonterey.org.

· MARCH 31-APRIL 1

Ensemble Monterey Presents “Not Again! It’s April Fools!” 8p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Monterey Peninsula College Music Hall, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 7p.m. Sunday, April 1, at Cabrillo College Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Includes the Concerto Grosso for Cell Phones and Candy Wrappers. $28. $20 for seniors and students 20 and under. Free for active duty military. 333-1283, ensemblemonterey.org.

· MARCH 31

Hootenanny LXXXVII 7-10p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Open jam and group sing-along. Potluck snacks and donations for the art center welcome. Song books provided. Free. 375-614

WEST VALLEY CITY — it was exciting.

Aimie Buxton was saving money big time using coupons. Boxes and boxes of name-brand food filled up her long-term food storage.

“I used to be big into coupons,” Buxton said. “But the food I was eating was not healthy. it was processed and not as good as homemade. on the back of packages the ingredients were not what I wanted to eat.”

So one day she suddenly stopped doing the coupon thing.

And she is saving more money.

This would not surprise Jonni McCoy, the author of “Miserly Moms.” When McCoy downsized from a two-income family to one income she found food was the area in the budget where she could save the most money. Her tips ended up in her book — which changed its subtitle in the latest edition from being about living on one income to “Living well on less in a Tough Economy.”

Those tips cut her food bill in half.

Couponless and loving it

“I hate coupons,” McCoy said. “I don’t use coupons. and I don’t encourage people to use coupons because coupons are for name brand items — which are more expensive than off-brands. they are for convenience foods, which you can make for half from scratch. You fare better without a coupon.”

McCoy even had a showdown on Gayle King’s television show once where she was pitted against a couponing expert. the coupon expert and McCoy were each assigned a family and asked to buy a week’s worth of groceries. the coupon method cost $75. McCoy’s method cost $50. “Coupons look flashy, but in the long run you do better shopping sales, making food from scratch, avoiding convenience food and buying off-brands.”

McCoy thinks extreme couponing sends the wrong message of getting something for nothing. “It is very frustrating to watch that,” she said.

Stylishly frugal and healthy

Living more healthily is also part of what Sara Tetreault (pronounced Taytroh) of Portland, Oregon writes about on her blog, GoGingham.com. Tetreault said she and her husband decided to live frugally when they were married 22 years ago. “We decided to live this way as a way to save money and have choices when we were older — meaning now,” she said.

With this in mind, Cheshire County has been looking for food, farming or forestry businesses and organizations that are interested in starting or expanding to the southwestern corner of the state. According to District Manager Amanda Costello, the county is in the preliminary stages of determining if there is any interest in the proposed Cheshire County Commons Farm and Food Hub.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food hub as “a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produced food products.”

Costello said the idea is to get agricultural companies to move into the spot in Westmoreland that once held a correctional facility. Once the facility was moved to Keene in 2010, it was no longer practical to use inmate labor at the county farm and its dairy herd was sold.

“There was strong support for maintaining vital agricultural use of these resources,” Lorraine S. Merrill, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, wrote in the Weekly Market Bulletin in February. “Proposals for leasing the farm were invited, and last spring county officials leased the farm and dairy facility to a young family.”

That young family is the Briggs, which operates Bo-Riggs Cattle Company in Sullivan. Having run their black Angus business for a while, Dale and Tiffany Briggs wanted to pursue dairy farming. they purchased bred heifers and are now milking 30 young Holsteins with a goal of filling all of the facility’s 62 stalls.

Merrill wrote that the site – where the Maplewood Nursing Home, assisted-living apartments, old jail facility and former county farm land are located – consists of several hundred acres of actively managed woodland, 52 acres of prime farmland soils, nature trails, and more than a mile of Connecticut River frontage.

A year-long study by the Monadnock Conservancy, Land For good and the Cheshire County Conservation District resulted in an attempt to develop the Cheshire County Commons Farm and Food Hub, which Merrill said aims “to support entrepreneurs and collectively strengthen and advance the agricultural sector of the region.”

The old Cheshire County Farm and complex is 13 miles west of downtown Keene, 12 miles from downtown Brattleboro, Vt., and 10 minutes from Interstate 91.

Merrill said the former jail will be redeveloped as a modern facility that offers a conference room, classroom, food processing and storage area, loading dock and office space to businesses and organizations.

Costello said that six forums have been held to ask community members what they would like to see done with the land. the overwhelming answer, she said, was to do something agricultural in a sort of public-private partnership.

She said the facility is 35,000-square-feet in size.

Merrill wrote that the vision is for the hub to bring together government, organizations and businesses, mutually supportive to promote innovation, profitability and long-term sustainability.

“We’ve just seen phenomenal growth in the demand for locally grown and produced foods,” Commissioner Merrill said in a telephone interview on Monday. “They’re looking to make use of the natural resources they have.”

She added that it has been interesting to see a combination of factors – such as an increasing awareness of the value it provides to communities – result in regions all over New Hampshire increasing their demand for local grub.

Domenic Poli can be reached at dpoli@reformer.com, or 802-254-2311, ext. 277.

Gaston County Restaurant Inspections

Premise Name Premise Address1 Premise City Insp Date Est Type Final Score SUM Comments

BELMONT SODA SHOPPE 31 NORTH MAIN STREET BELMONT 29-Feb-2012 1 98.5

- Keep hot water at dish sink 130F for proper washing of food ware and utensils; Keep storage off of the floor. Store boxes of chips and single service cup boxes off of floor and on approved shelving.

BI LO DELI #206 2204 UNION RD GASTONIA 01-Mar-2012 1 98.0

- Repair, replace or remove proofer/retarder that caught fire. Repair heat strip on base of walk-in freezer door. Base of door framing/threshold and air flaps are burnt form heat strip catching fire. Replace or remove broken chairs at dining room table. Replace torn/damaged cover to cover speed rack/dollies; thoroughly clean fixtures in bathroom(interior and exterior of men wall urinal, clean ventilation, floors, walls and ceiling). Tightly secure and seal back splash to counter top in men bathroom. CLean floors, walls and ceiling throughout in women bathroom; Store and handle clean utensil/equipment in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. Clean utensil shelving/storage area under prep, shelving above three compartment sink and clean end of drainboard at three compartment sink; Store and handle single service articles in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. Store single service articles inverted down. Clean shelving/storage area where single service articles are stored. Do not store cases of single service articles on the floor. Store cases of single service articles on shelving, transfer cart or dunage rack; Wipe/clean shelving throughout kitchen, walk-in cooler and dry storage area. Wipe/clean base of display case and tracks on display case. General detail cleaning of equipment on main cook line. Clean edge of door to walk-in cooler and freezer. Clean high chairs. Clean underside of shelving and interior of hood at chicken brading station. Clean tracks on speed racks; Clean walls and ceiling throughout deli area. Clean floors under and behind equipment.

BOJANGLES 1020 EAST CHURCH ST CHERRYVILLE 01-Mar-2012 1 99.5

- Bucket of tea stored near mop sink. Container of soapy water stored on top of tea lid. Critical item; Ice bucket stored on top of trash can. Store ice bucket in a clean place; Need to replace torn gaskets on refrigeration.

BOJANGLES – GARRISON 357 400 E GARRISON BLVD GASTONIA 01-Mar-2012 1 98.5

- Wipe/clean base of up-right freezer unit. General detail cleaning of equipment on main cook line. Wipe.clean shelving throughout kitchen, walk-in cooler, refrigeration unit and dry storage area. Clean edge of reach -in door to walk-in cooler in biscuit making area. Clean control knobs/panels on equipment. Clean door to ice machine. Clean wiring to equipment. Clean high chairs; Clean floors, walls and ceiling throughout where needed(chicken breading area and biscuit making area). Replace missing floor tiles in women bathroom. what caused floor to rise/buckle where floor tiles came up in womn bathroom; Store and handle single service articles in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. Clean top of hot holding unit and bin where sandwich wrapping paper is stored. Clean bin where potato pie boxes are stored; thoroughly air-dry utensil/equipment before stacking or storing; Replace broken/split gasket on up-right freezer unit located across from deep fryer/grill line. Replace broken fries holding bin on front serving line. Repair or replace damaged lid to cover top of drink dispenser in dining room area.

COOKOUT RESTAURANT 2113 UNION RD GASTONIA 28-Feb-2012 1 98.5

- Continue to discard and replace broken containers/container lids. Repair refrigeration unit where milk shake products are stored; Water collecting on back ledge inside of refrigeration unit. Replace deep fryer baskets with broken/fragmenting wiring; Clean floors, walls and ceiling throughout. Regrout floor where new floor tiles were installed; Clean soda in-a-box stand and lines. Clean edge of door to walk-in freezer. Wipe/clean shelving in dry storage area and walk-in cooler. Clean shelving above monitor at drive thru window. General detail cleaning of equipment on cook line. Clean ticket printer and wiring to printer. Wipe/clean top of equipment and ticket holder. Clean fan covers in walk-in cooler. Clean door to ice machine and tracks on sliding doors to ice machine; Maintain potential hazardous cold food products 45F and below. Today temperature of food products in/on prep line refrigeration unit 51F-53F(mayo, cheese, slaw, ground chicken/beef). have refrigeration unit repaired immediatley. until unit is repaired store food products in walk-in cooler and on an ice bath.

CROWDERS MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB 255 LINCOLN ACADEMY RD KING S MOUNTAIN 28-Feb-2012 1 101.0

- Need to replace gasket around ice machine.

DAIRY QUEEN 3128 UNION RD GASTONIA 27-Feb-2012 1 97.5

- thoroughly clean utensil shelving at end and over three compartment sink. Shelving has a grease film present. Clean utensil/equipment shall be stored in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination; Broken gasket on up-right freezer unit has been ordered—->back order on gasket; Clean floors, walls and ceiling throughout where needed. Clean wall behind hot holding wells on serving line. Continue to clean floor under and behind equipment; Clean fan cover on ventilation in walk-in cooler and bathroom; Store and handle single service articles in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. Do not store or place cases of single service articles on the floor in storage room area. Store cases of single service articles on shelving, dunage rack, transfer cart. Store cases of single service articles on milk crate as a temporary mean of storage; Wipe/clean shelving throughout kitchen, walk-in cooler, refrigeration unit and area under front serving line. Wipe/clean base of refrigeration unit. General detail cleaning of equipment on main cook line(side of funnel cake deep fryer, deep fryer,side of grill and hot holding unit). Wipe/clean exterior of dry storage bin. Clean door to walk-in cooler/freezer.WIpe/clean high chairs.

DEMETRIOS RESTAURANT 6928 WILKINSON BLVD BELMONT 28-Feb-2012 1 94.0

- Protect single-service articles from possible contamination (Invert or cover); Dishmachine did not dispense chlorine at min. 50 ppm during rinse cycle. Check with test strips to be sure sanitizing solution is being dispensed properly. Owner called for repairman (Env Health Specialist will return for follow-up visit). Provide sanitizing solution, mixed at proper strength (min. 50 ppm for chlorine) at all hours of operation. Clean and sanitize ice machine; Cold holding – Store potentially hazardous foods at 45 F and below (Ground beef in refrigerator bottom – 55 to 58 F); Repair lights that are not working. General Comments: (GC #2) – Employees’ drinks should be protected and should not be on or above food prep areas. (GC #19) – Label spray bottles (corrected). (GC #25) – Provide thermometers in all refrigerators. (GC #29) – Foodhandlers should wear hair restraints. (GC #47) – all storage should be off the floor on approved shelving; Clean can opener and shelves; Replace split gaskets on equipment doors.

FOURSHEE’S 6231 DALLAS CHERRYVILLE HWY BESSEMER CITY 29-Feb-2012 2 98.0

- Freezer and stove are not NSF approved; Hair restraints required.

GARRISON EXPRESS MART 937 EAST GARRISON BLVD. GASTONIA 28-Feb-2012 2 97.0

- Dispose of trash/cardboard in dumpster; not grounds beside dumpster. break cardboard boxes down so cardboard can fit in dumpster. Remove drink crates and crates from beside building/dumpster area; Provide metal stem thermometer 0F-220F at all times; Provide sanitizer(chlorine) test strips at all times; Clean floors, walls and ceiling throughout where needed; if needed; Store and handle clean utensils/equipment in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. Do not store or place soiled/used cleaning rags on clean end of drainboard near clean utensils. Store soiled/used cleaning rags on dirty end of drainboard of two compartment sink; Wipe/clean shelving throughout where needed. Wipe/clean interior of cabinet door under hot holding units.

GOLDEN CORRAL 2300 EAST FRANKLIN BLVD GASTONIA 28-Feb-2012 1 97.5

- Air-dry multi-use containers before stacking for storage; Repair plumbing leaks on several sink faucets; Repair all hand towels dispensers; Keep day dots scrubbed off of crocks before washing, rinsing, and sanitizing; Keep all hot holding potentially hazardous foods at 135F and above. Several foods on hot holding lines were not 135F and above. Fajita chicken was 106-118F, fried chicken was 108-116F, grilled chicken and chicken livers were 118-124F, pork ribs and bourbon chicken 124-135+F, and fried fish and baked potatoes were 110-135+F. These foods from lunch were being replaced by foods for dinner.

HOUSER DRUG CO SNACK BAR 100 E MAIN STREET CHERRYVILLE 01-Mar-2012 1 98.0

- Refrigerator, freezer is not NSF approved;  Hair restraints required.

J’S JAPANESE BISTRO 3272 UNION RD GASTONIA 27-Feb-2012 1 94.0

- Repair or replace lights that are out; Rice pH was about a 6 and should be a pH of 4.6 or less. Management was told to add more vinegar. Management is keeping up with daily pH records. Keep foods covered in coolers; Floors need cleaning under deep fryers, wok tables, and hibachi grills. Clean floors under all equipment on cook line, especially near walls. Clean splash guards and walls in soiled and clean dish areas and around dish machine; Use a scoop or a spoon with a handle for dispensing rice and not a bowl; Keep a bucket or a spray bottle with sanitizer made up at all times for bar area (not just cooking and prep areas). Keep knives on racks cleaned and sanitized. Knife racks are not for storing soiled knives. Clean outsides of all dry food containers; Sushi was 50-54F on buffet and should be 45F and less. Discussed with manager about using time holding instead of temperature holding. make sure that all prepared foods do not stay out of temperature control for long periods of time before placing on buffet line so that cold (or hot) holding temperatures are not compromised (fried chicken, boiled or raw eggs, and cooked rice). make table cooler needs repair inside. It is holding 50F inside and should be holding 40F. see # 36. all cold holding potentially hazardous foods at 45F and less.

KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN 1690 NEAL HAWKINS GASTONIA 01-Mar-2012 1 99.5

- Repair problem that is causing ice to form on gasket and around doors on four door reach-in freezer unit. Tightly secure loose laminate on back side of front counter/register area; Clean floors, walls and ceiling throughout where needed. Clean walls in chicken breading area. Clean floors under and behind equipment; thoroughly air-dry utensil/equipment before stacking or storing. Clean utensil/equipment shall be stored in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. thoroughly clean utensil shelving/baskets above three compartment sink; Wipe/clean mixer. Wipe/clean shelving throughout kitchen, walk-in cooler, dry storage area and reach-in refrigeration unit. Clean around door threshold/framing to walk-in cooler. General detail cleaning of equipment on main cook line. Clean tracks on speed racks/dollies. Clean shelving above hot holding units. Wipe/clean soda in-a-box stand and lines. Clean high chairs.

KINGSWAY #21 3615 DALLAS CHERRYVILLE HWY. DALLAS 27-Feb-2012 2 94.5

- Drain plug needed for dumpster; Need to mix sanitizer fresh daily at 50 ppm chlorine. Clean and sanitize the ice machine. Critical item; Need to clean inside microwave; Need to organize storage areas; Need to clean toilet in restroom. Paper towels needed.

NICHOLS #4 1813 HICKORY GROVE ROAD GASTONIA 27-Feb-2012 1 95.0

- Clean top of Alto-Shaam, and clean tables; after opening, store dry foods in labeled, sealed containers. Do not place opened or unopened bags of dry foods on the floor; Clean and sanitize tea urn nozzles, soda fountain nozzles, meat slicer, and potato slicer. (Repeat Violations) Provide sanitizing solution, mixed at proper strength at all hours of operation; Clean and repair floor as needed. Clean ceilng and ceiling vents.

O’CHARLEY’S #331 1601 E. FRANKLIN BLVD GASTONIA 28-Feb-2012 1 98.5

- Replace cracked ice buckets with non-cracked food-grade buckets; Keep all quaternary ammonia sanitizer buckets up to 200 ppm minimum strength on cook line. make sure that utensils and food ware at prep stations is protected from splash and if needed then wash, rinse, and sanitize food ware before using; Replace light covers that are missing and light bulbs that are out where applicable; Replace cracked cooler and freezer door gaskets seals where applicable. make sure that “Alto-shaam” door closes correctly where soup is held. make sure that all cooler drawers close correctly; Provide thermometers inside walk-in cooler.

PARKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH 1827 DIXON ROAD GASTONIA 27-Feb-2012 1 98.5

- Dust hood screen filters; Dish machine is not getting up to proper sanitizing temperature (170-180F) and may need repair. a return visit will be made for compliance of violation or call Health Department for appointment when repairs are complete. While dish machine does properly wash and rinse food ware, fill one of the vats on three vat dish/prep sink and properly sanitize food ware there; make sure that sanitizer bottle is labeled and do not store chemical spray bottles near clean side of dish machine drain board.

PISGAH ARP CHURCH 3600 S LINWOOD RD GASTONIA 29-Feb-2012 1 98.0

Need to protect single service cups; Clean inside microwave; Hair restraints required.

SURF AND TURF LODGE 808 N 14TH ST BESSEMER CITY 01-Mar-2012 1 100.5

- Need to store cleaners away from food related items.

TERRACE, THE 2525 COURT DRIVE GASTONIA 27-Feb-2012 1 101.0

- Need to protect single service cups. Do not over stack dispenser; Need to air dry stainless steel containers before storing.

TEXAS ROADHOUSE RESTAURANT 1863 REMOUNT RD GASTONIA 27-Feb-2012 1 98.5

- thoroughly air-dry utensil/equipment before stacking or storing. Clean utensil/equipment shall be stored in or on clean area and in a manner to prevent contamination. thoroughly clean utensil shelving/storage areas under prep table. Clean ice scoop holder at ice machine; Replace damaged door on ice machine. Repair latching mechanism on walk-in cooler door and remove cardboard. Replace cutting boards on four compartment sink and server prep line refrigeration unit.Continue to discard and replace utensils with damaged handles and busted/damaged containers and container lids. Continue to replace broken/split gaskets on refrigeration door. Replace damaged side door on plastic salad bin insert that fit inside of wall mounted salad refrigerated unit. Provide correct latching mechanism on mixer and remove wiring. Replace cracked lid on sugar bin; Clean door to ice machine. Clean lid to cover ice bin. Clean door to walk-in cooler(general storage and meat cooler). Clean air flaps entering into meat walk-in cooler. Clean scales and timers. Wipe/clean shelving throughout kitchen, walk-in cooler, dry storage area and reach-in refrigeration unit. General detail cleaning of equipment on main cook line. Clean base of refrigeration unit on main cook line and grill area with pull out drawer. Wipe/clean exterior of dry storage containers/bins. Clean ticket printer and wiring to printer. Clean handles and control knobs on equipment. WIpe/clean high chairs; Clean floors, walls and ceiling throughout where needed. Clean floors under and behind equipment.

WILL’S FOOD STORE #6 4010 HICKORY GROVE ROAD MT. HOLLY 29-Feb-2012 1 94.0

- Clean and sanitize nozzles of tea urn and soda fountains. Clean and sanitize ice machine. – Repeat violation; Clean floor and walls; Clean gaskets of equipment doors. Clean cabinets at drink station; Hair restraints required; Cold holding – Store potentially hazardous foods at 135 F and above (Fried chicken – 127 F, Hamburgers – 127 to 135+ F). Repeat violation; Clean hood and filters as soon as possible. Clean fan; all storage should be off the floor on approved shelving. General Comments: (GC #43) – Provide paper towels in restroom. (GC #38) – Use test strips to check strength of sanitizing solution (min. 50 ppm for chlorine).

Farmers

the Daily Journal

The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) and the California Conservation Corps (CCC) has announced awards for partnership projects across the state that will provide youth with job training and employable skills while helping to improve their local communities and benefit low-income populations.

North Coast Opportunities (NCO) was chosen to participate in this partnership to use CCC corpsmembers for the Community Gardens Development Project in Ukiah and Food Bank Renovation Project in Clearlake, which will increase low-income residents’ access to fresh produce and food distribution, nutrition education, and opportunities for physical activity. Specifically, the Food Bank Renovation Project will assist NCO in expanding and stabilizing its food pantry program by securing a more appropriate storage and distribution facility, thereby allowing the pantry to serve more families.

The NCO project is funded for at estimated 620 CCC hours, valued at $11,637.40.

“This partnership is a win-win for California’s communities and our youth,” said CSD Interim Director John A. Wagner. “Through this state and local collaboration, we are able to provide labor at no cost to the local agency, while providing young adults with job training and employable skills, and improving the lives of low-income Californians.”

Through this partnership, CSD will pay for the labor costs of CCC corpsmembers at $18.77 an hour to complete community projects for partnering local agencies under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). in turn, the local agency will provide the materials, and the CCC will provide the work crews including basic tools and transportation to and from the work site.

“CCC corpsmembers are young women and men from local California communities doing good things for their neighborhoods,” said CCC Program and Operations Chief Erin Healy. Too often, we tend to focus on youth doing things wrong; these young people have chosen to spend a year of their life providing service to others. these projects will provide these young men and women with training opportunities and employable skills that will assist them in transitioning to a skilled job.”

CSD is able to provide funding for this targeted partnership under the federally-funded CSBG, which is designed to provide a range of services to assist low-income families and individuals improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. five CSBG local agencies received awards totaling more than $50,000 in labor costs that will be paid for by CSD:

This state-local partnership was open to all local CSBG eligible entities to submit proposals, which were evaluated by the CCC and projects were selected that met at least two of the following three CCC mandates in order for corpsmembers to participate:

Projects conserve, improve, and develop natural resources or help to maintain environmentally important lands or waters

Projects provide public benefit or access

Projects provide corpsmembers with opportunities for training in employable skills

The CCC employs young women and men between the ages of 18 and 25 to work on public service conservation projects throughout California. the corpsmembers work on 12-to-15 member crews with a crew supervisor. It is expected that each project under this partnership will use one CCC crew.

All of the projects under this state-local partnership are expected to be completed in 2012.

fter a long day of skiing in Tahoe during a recent weekend, I stepped inside Best Pies, a pizza shop along the town of Truckee’s main drag, and spotted a sign inside that summed of the mood of this entire region:

“Pray for snow.”

The sign was written in chalk by one of the co-owners, Elise Pannell. she and her partner, Chris Best, opened the store just last season when record snowfall meant their shop was regularly packed with hungry skiers. Now, after that gonzo first year, they are trying to ride out one of the bleakest snow seasons on record.

“If we can get through this year, we’ll be able to survive anything,” Best said. “We try not to complain or get too stressed because we know everyone is hurting.”

No doubt the three storms that dumped several feet of snow on the region this past week will lift spirits and answer the prayers

of some locals. Yet it will only have a minimal impact on an economy dependent on visitors flocking to the slopes each year. It’s probably too late in the season to make up for all those miserable weeks of empty ski lifts. Most resorts have said they have no plans to hire the rest of the season, no matter what the weather does.

But while ski resorts have had it rough this year, I found during a recent visit that the true impact of the low snowfall is falling much heavier on the Tahoe community, particularly the large numbers of seasonal workers and small business owners. While the resorts can trim expenses to muddle through a down year, that’s a lot tougher for a guy who makes a living plowing driveways during the winter.

This sucker punch from Mother Nature is particularly cruel because it comes after a decade of economic decline in the Tahoe area that accelerated when the housing bubble burst.

“It’s that extra body blow that nobody needed,” said Phebe Bell, program officer of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. “We were breathing a sigh of relief that we had made it through a rough economy. Then this happened.”

While overall employment in California and Nevada, which Tahoe straddles, grew 8 percent between 2000 and 2007, it dropped almost 6 percent in the Tahoe region. over the past two years, unemployment shot up to as much as 19 percent in some towns. Enrollment in schools has declined and local tax revenues have fallen, forcing cutbacks and layoffs.

But folks around here point out that the true depth of suffering goes beyond what shows up in official employment numbers. That’s because the region has a larger number of seasonal workers. the guy who does handiwork in the spring, gives kayak tours in the summer, and works at a ski resort in the winter. He’s not likely to show up in unemployment statistics, but it’s more likely than not that he hasn’t found work for several months. Same for people getting one shift at a restaurant rather than five, making them underemployed.

While it’s hard to tally these people, the folks at Project MANA see them. That’s a nonprofit in North Tahoe that provides emergency food relief. Heidi Allstead, executive director for Project MANA, said when the snow failed to come this season, they had to increase their weekly food distribution centers from four to six.

“People try to be optimistic, but you see a lot of second homes empty around where I live,” Allstead said. “And a lot of people have moved off the mountains to look for work.”

I stopped by one of the distribution centers, where several dozen folks were lined up to get a food box stuffed with fruit, bread, soup cans, and other essentials. There were elderly people, single middle-aged men, and even some families.

As I watched people move past the piles of food and fill their boxes, I talked with Jose and Gabriela Lopez, 26 and 24, respectively. they moved to Tahoe two years ago from Yuba City because they heard it would be easier to find work. indeed, Jose has a job driving a county bus, but doesn’t get enough shifts to make ends meet.

One of his riders told him about Project MANA. and so, even though they recently moved 30 miles east to Reno where housing is cheaper, they are still regulars at the food distribution centers.

“I was definitely hoping there would be a lot more higher-paying jobs when I came here,” Jose said. “Rent is expensive and it seems like most jobs are minimum wage and not many hours.”

No one knows better how such low snowfall seasons hit the local community than Andy Wirth, president and chief executive officer of the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows resorts. Wirth has spent his whole career working in the ski resort industry, and just relocated to Tahoe a couple of years ago to engineer a merger between Squaw and Alpine.

The buzz around the merger and last year’s record snow fall sent sales of season passes up 40 percent. but all that early season excitement vaporized as weeks went by with no snow. Not only was hiring down, but many of the folks with resort jobs were getting only one shift instead of five. at the same time, the resorts have spent more money on artificial snow-making efforts.

In response, Squaw and Alpine began offering $3 dinners to resort workers and staged an online fundraiser for Project MANA.

“We have to manage the business,” Wirth said. “At the same time, we want to be responsible community members.”

It’s hard to know what the long-term impact, if any, of such a season will be on the region. even before this ski season, there were a number of regional efforts under way to find ways to diversify the region’s economy and make it less dependent on seasonal activities and housing. the lack of snow seems to have given an added urgency to these efforts.

In South Lake Tahoe, for instance, some local boosters want to expand entertainment and gambling options. In North Tahoe, a “Truckee Tomorrow” plan was developed that included such suggestions as enticing more tech workers from the Bay Area to relocate permanently and telecommute.

Truckee town manager Tony Lashbrook said he was optimistic that planned expansions of the local hospital and a $50 million capital spending program by the new Squaw-Alpine owners might eventually give the local economy a lift.

Still, Lashbrook noted that annual building permits are around 30, after averaging 270 for years. and while the town had originally forecasted that local tax revenues would be flat this year, he’s now expecting them to dip about 2.5 percent.

Whether that requires more cuts, or whether some fresh powder softens the blow, remains to be seen.

“I don’t know that I can sugar coat what’s going on around here,” Lashbrook said. “There’s a shift that has occurred in the Truckee economy. We’re still trying to find the bottom.”

Contact Chris O’Brien at 415-298-0207 or . Follow him at Twitter.com/obrien and read his blog posts at siliconbeat.com.

the Soft Spot(53) Friday, March 02, 2012

by Robin Rosenberg of PFGBest

by Robin Rosenberg, PFGBEST

(800) 611-6974

COFFEE

Forty Year Trading Range: $41.50 to $337.50 per lb.

Trades on the ICE from 2:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST

In the twelve month period ending January 2012 the International Coffee Organization reports that global exports of Arabica Coffee reached 65.96 million 60 kilo bags compared to 66.18 million last year. Robusta Coffee exports totaled 37.53 million bags compared to 31.98. this small jump in production will do little to alleviate the world’s ever increasing demand for Coffee.

Expectations are that Brazil, the world’s largest Coffee grower will harvest 55.7 million bags in 2012-2013. Up from the 48 million bags produced in 2011-2012.Brazil’s Coffee harvest should get underway in July. , Volcafe, one of the world’s largest Coffee merchants estimates there is more Coffee in storage than originally thought. they have increased their original Brazilian crop estimate by 1 million to 48 million bags. one bag of beans weighs 60 kilos. (132 pounds) Global Coffee demand will exceed supply by 7 million bags in 2011-2012. the market may experience a surplus of 2 million bags in 2011-2012.

Output from Honduras, Central America’s largest producer, is expected to improve by 21 percent to 5.1 million bags in 2011-2012. Colombia, the world’s second largest producer of Arabica coffee is struggling to produce 7 million bags in 2011-2012. Output in 2012-2013 is expected to rise by 500,000 bags. Mild, washed Arabica Coffee beans are generally grown in Latin and South America.

So, we have a small increase in supply coming our way. Will the market be able to provide enough Coffee to satisfy the world’s growing population of Coffee drinkers? We will just have to listen to the market. I’m sure if we listen well the market will tell us.

Technical analysis is a methodology. the information below is not to be taken as trading advice or as a recommendation to buy or sell any commodity future or option. It may or may not agree with the fundamental analysis that appears above.

Weekly technical indications on Friday, March 2nd: at this time the week’s trading range is 207.35-201.30, the last print is 203.40. the stochastic remains in sell mode. RSI at 32.39 is lower than last week’s indication of 32.47. the M.a.C.D. histogram reads -2.09 and is lower than last week’s indication of -1.90. there has not been much in the way of price action this week. In fact it appears that may Coffee will close out the week near unchanged from the previous two. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ! a weekly close at or below 204.40 in May coffee will turn the weekly trend down.

Do not trade without the use of protective strategies such as stops and or options.

COCOA

Forty Year Trading Range: $4.44 to $53.79 per tonne

Trades on the ICE from 3:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST

The Ivory Coast’s main Cocoa harvest is nearing the finish line. as expected, arrivals at Ivory Coast ports for export are lower than a year ago. Lower by 10 percent, the decrease in Cocoa bean arrivals is expected to continue through harvest’s end. Concern is also mounting that mid crop output will be nowhere near what was expected. these situations have Ivory Coast cash prices on the rise. Score another one for Mother Nature.

Surely you’ve heard that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. they say the reason we like chocolate so much is it makes us feel loved. Cocoa is one of the most complex and satisfying foods on this earth. did you know that there are 300 recognized chemical compounds in Cocoa? Cocoa contains a large quantity of magnesium. Medical studies have proven magnesium possesses calming qualities.

How can we insure that our beloved Cocoa is always available to us? there are more than 2 million West African Cocoa farmers. they produce near 70 percent of the world’s Cocoa supply. they must have the ability to take care of their families. It is imperative that young people become educated in the ways of Cocoa farming. Production levels must be increased to make Cocoa farming an economically feasible occupation that provides them with a good living. if not they will leave the farm and go elsewhere to earn their livelihoods.

Feed the Future is the United State’s global hunger and food security initiative. Feed the Future’s Africa Cocoa Initiative (ACI) will leverage $11 million invested by principal partners to help insure the sustainability of West Africa’s Cocoa crop. these partners include include the World Cocoa Foundation, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, ADM Cocoa, Barry Callebaut, Blommer Chocolate Company, Cargill, Continaf BV, Ferrero, Guittard Chocolate Company, the Hershey Company, Kraft Foods, Lindt & Sprungli, Mars, Nestle and Olam International Ltd. just typing these names has me jonesing for a chocolate bar!

Technical analysis is a methodology. the information below is not to be taken as trading advice or as a recommendation to buy or sell any commodity future or option. It may or may not agree with the fundamental analysis that appears above. 

Weekly technical indications for Friday, March 2nd: at this time the week’s trading range is 24.54-23.01 the last print is 23.37. the stochastic remains in buy mode. RSI at 44.95 is lower than last week’s reading of 45.61. the M.a.C.D. histogram at 52.07 is higher than last week’s indication of 50.98. Cocoa continues to trade in a tight sideways range. there are no directional opportunities at this time. a weekly close at or below 21.91 in May cocoa will turn the weekly trend down.

Do not trade without the use of protective strategies such as stops and or options.

COTTON 

Forty Year Trading Range: $26.84 to $227.00 per lb.

Trades on the ICE from 8:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST (Next Day)

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has announced it will increase in the price it pays farmers 3 percent for 2012-2013 production. that brings the buying price to 20,400 Yuan ($3,240) per tonne. That’s near $1.45 a pound and quite a bit more than U.S. Cotton growers can expect to receive. China’s State Cotton reserves are in need of replenishment and what better way to accomplish it than with increased domestic production. China is the world’s number one consumer and importer of Cotton. Of interest is the fact that USDA attaches had reported just hours prior to the announcement that China would be sticking to it’s 2011-2012 rate of 19,800 Yuan per tonne. Very funny Beijing!

A series of surveys released forecast lower Cotton sowings in China this coming growing season. the results of a farm survey taken last week by China’s Cotton Research Institute at the China Academy of Agriculture Science forecast a 6.1% decrease to 4.85 million hectares. the China Cotton Association forecast a 10.5 percent decline and the country’s National Cotton Monitoring network forecast an 8.2 percent decline. far too many farmers were hurt financially when the market broke from it’s post U.S. Civil War high in 2011. I recall seeing a pic of a small time Chinese Cotton farmer with a tonne of Cotton in his house. He was holding out for higher prices. Ai Yi Yi !

On your marks, get set – U.S. Cotton farmers are ready to sow.  the Cotton market continues to be pressured by Southern Hemisphere production. the problem is farmers will plant less Cotton worldwide if Cotton’s price doesn’t firm up. Some day down the road this will cause supply to tighten. Cotton prices will then move higher and farmers will plant Cotton from fencepost to fencepost. Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Cotton market needs a bullish market moving event badly.

U.S. Cotton exports for the week ending February 23rd, 2012 of the 2011-2012 marketing year were 76,200 running bales.  Down 57 percent from the previous week, but up noticeably from the prior 4 week average.

Technical analysis is a methodology. the information below is not to be taken as trading advice or as a recommendation to buy or sell any commodity future or option. It may or may not agree with the fundamental analysis that appears above.

Weekly technical indications for Friday, March 2nd: at this time the week’s trading range is 92.74-89.31, the last print is 89.31. the stochastic remains in sell mode. RSI at 41.21 is lower than last week’s indication of 42.22. the M.a.C.D. histogram at 0.04 is lower than last week’s reading of 0.43. the market rallied above the 9 bar moving average, but was beaten back by selling. at this time it’s trading between the 9 bar moving average and lower Bollinger band. I view rallies to resistance as selling opportunities. a weekly close at or above 91.26 in May Cotton will turn the weekly trend up.                                                     

Do not trade without the use of protective strategies such as stops and or options.

SUGAR

Forty Year Trading Range:  2.30 cents to 66.00 cents per lb.

         Trades on the ICE from 2:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST

With harvest set to begin in April the USDA attaché in Brazil is expecting Brazil’s center-south region to produce 490 million tonnes of Sugar this season. That’s 12 percent less Sugar than was produced during the 2011-2012 growing season. near 90 percent of the country’s Sugar is grown in the center-south region. Countrywide production is expected to fall by 6.8 percent or 35.75 tonnes. Extremely dry weather from April through August of 2010 and may of 2011 took it’s toll on the growing stock. Cane should be replaced every five or six years. I find it hard to believe that Brazil’s Sugar producers would allow their growing areas to deteriorate like this. even with new Sugarcane plants in place it will take a few years for Sugar production to recover. I wonder what they are thinking. Is there something happening we don’t know about? You can bet there is!

Just the thought of seaweed brings visions of ocean going critters that I’d much rather view at a public aquarium or that slimy thing that wrapped around my leg last time I swam in the ocean. when Bio Architecture Lab thinks seaweed it smells ethanol. a new type of energy company, BAL intends to use designer bacteria and a low cost method for harvesting seaweed to produce ethanol. Developing economies worldwide are demanding more ethanol. Until now the majority of ethanol has been refined from food stocks. this could free up Sugar that would normally be used for ethanol production.

Seaweed is fast growing and Sugar rich. It does not compete with other crops for land, nor does it require fresh water. BAL’s chief science officer has said “Sugar is the next generation crude oil – it can be used for fuels and chemicals”. the company’s breakthrough is all about finding the way to unlock the Sugars in seaweed. if this can be done on a large scale we will have more Sugar and other food crops available to feed the world’s ever expanding population. the designer bacterium is a strain of Escherichia coli bacterium that is able to break down the Sugars in brown seaweed to produce ethanol. It has been demonstrated that this process can break down near 80 percent of the Sugar content in seaweed. this new research has been published by the peer reviewed journal “Science”.

Technical analysis is a methodology. the information below is not to be taken as trading advice or as a recommendation to buy or sell any commodity future or option. It may or may not agree with the fundamental analysis that appears above.

Weekly technical indications for Friday, March 2nd: at this time the week’s trading range is 25.81-24.45, the last print is 24.82. the stochastic remains in buy mode. RSI at 54.15 is lower than last week’s reading of 57.20. the M.a.C.D. histogram at 0.26 is microscopically higher than last week’s reading of 0.23. the market is once again finishing out the week between the center and upper Bollinger bands. Continue to treat dips as buying opportunities. a weekly close at or below 25.13 in May Sugar will turn the weekly trend down.

Do not trade without the use of protective strategies such as stops and or options.

There is a substantial risk of loss in trading futures and options. past performance is not indicative of future results. the information and data in this report were obtained from sources considered reliable. Their accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed and the giving of the same is not to be deemed as an offer or solicitation on our part with respect to the sale or purchase of any securities or commodities. PFGBEST, its officers and directors may in the normal course of business have positions, which may or may not agree with the opinions expressed in this report. any decision to purchase or sell as a result of the opinions expressed in this report will be the full responsibility of the person authorizing such transaction.

Recent articles from this author

• The Soft Spot(53) – Friday, March 02, 2012
• The Soft Spot(52) – Monday, February 27, 2012
• The Soft Spot(51) – Friday, February 24, 2012
• The Softs Spot – Friday, February 17, 2012
• The Soft Spot(50) – Friday, February 10, 2012

About the author

Robin Rosenberg is an analyst in the PFGBEST Research Division.  He works with clients and prospects to educate them on developing and maintaining appropriately diversified portfolios which may include managed futures, and he is a research specialist in several commodity market sectors including the softs, food and fiber. 

Robin began his career in the futures industry in 1976 when he became a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. there he traded on the floor for 14 years, developing invaluable knowledge, experience, and direct relationships with traders of all commodity markets, whether in Chicago, new York, or at other global exchanges. Access to those who gather information on production, supply, demand, and execution specialists in these product groups allows Robin to share his education as well as to produce valuable outlooks for trading and investing clients. 

His research and strategy advisories are developed using both technical and fundamental data.

Robin RosenbergCommodity Market AnalystPFGBEST

Research Phone: 800.611.6974Email:

PFGBEST is among the largest non-clearing U.S. Futures Commission Merchants, with customers, affiliates and brokerage offices in more than 80 countries. the company is a leader in sustainable investing through diversified products including managed funds, futures, forex, options, full-service and discount brokerage, trader education, market research, and direct online futures trading through its BESTDirect™ platform, and numerous other platforms and applications.

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