Florida Launches Website Touting Safety Of Gulf Seafood Despite lingering consumer wariness over the safety of Florida's Gulf of Mexico seafood, tests conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services show that the products are safe to eat. On Wednesday, the department launched a new website, www.MyFloridaGulfSafe.com, as part of a marketing campaign initiated in August to spread that message. In April 2010, BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico releasing millions of gallons of oil into the ocean. (Palm Beach Post, 7/6) Opinion: Act Will Bring More Florida Produce To School Lunches Our kids just won a huge battle in the fight against childhood obesity. Gov. Rick Scott signed the Healthy Schools for Healthy Lives Act, putting control of school food in the hands of the Department of Agriculture. I applaud the governor and excitedly await Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam's effort to get more of Florida's fresh fruits and vegetables in Florida schools. With an American Heart Association survey finding that few children have an ideal diet and that one out of three kids is overweight, bringing change to the cafeteria is a key victory. While I understand parents are ultimately responsible for their children's health, it is a comfort to know the state of Florida, the Department of Agriculture and school cafeterias are right there beside us. (St. Petersburg Times, 7/4) Two-Tier Gas Pricing Catching Customers Unaware What gas customers see advertised may not be the price they pay at the pump. It's because of something gas inspection experts call two-tier pricing. In response to many questions from viewers about the different pricing, First Coast News asked why, if it's legal and what you can do about it. Gas stations using two-tier pricing advertise one price for cash (or company-specific credit cards, such as Shell or Chevron), but display another price at the pump for credit cards. In the past month, the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has received 10 registered complaints. Two are awaiting inspection, one had several violations, but the others were cleared. To the dismay of many, two-tier pricing is legal as long as it's conspicuously marked on the advertised sign, according to Lawson. (First Coast News, 7/8) It’s One Of Best Years For Florida Mangoes For mango lovers, this season is particularly sweet. If you have a mango tree or two, chances are you’ve been scrambling in the sweltering heat to stay ahead of the squirrels, serving mangoes at every meal and lugging bags of fruit to work. An unusually cold December and record dry season were the perfect recipe for “one of the better years,” for the golden beauties, said Louise King, president of the Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida. “It’s absolutely wonderful for mangoes. They look like jewels hanging from the trees.” (Bradenton Herald, 7/6) Commissioner Spotlight On Wednesday, Commissioner Putnam traveled to St. Petersburg for an interview with Adam Smith, host of Political Connections on Bay News 9. The interview will air on Sunday, July 17. Commissioner Putnam met with leaders of the South Florida Water Management District in Clewiston on Thursday to discuss Lake Okeechobee and the effects of this year’s drought on its water level. Friday, Commissioner Putnam launched the “Don’t Pack a Pest” public awareness campaign at a press conference at the Miami International Airport. The public awareness campaign was developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Miami-Dade County. It aims to raise awareness among travelers for the risks associated with the introduction of pests and diseases into Florida and the United States. At the Department The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working to increase consumer confidence by raising awareness among consumers for the proven safety of Gulf seafood through the “Florida Gulf Safe” campaign. On Wednesday, the Department’s Marketing Division launched a new website, www.MyFloridaGulfSafe.com, where consumers can see the results of state seafood lab testing, find seafood recipes, locate restaurants and retail markets, and more. The Department has also partnered with Florida Outdoor Advertising Association to communicate this message on billboards statewide and with the Florida Department of Transportation to reach travelers on Florida’s Turnpike via tollbooth signs. Full-page ads will appear in magazines that target chefs and restaurateurs, as well as in upscale consumer magazines. Tabletop displays will be distributed to restaurants and seafood retailers to reach consumers where they shop. The “Florida Gulf Safe” message will also reach national audiences through a special “Sustainable Seafood Issue” of Guy Harvey Magazine, which is named for the acclaimed marine conservationist and artist. The July issue features an article about the Department’s ongoing testing of Florida Gulf seafood by the Department. The special issue also includes an article on “Gulf Wild,” a program in which Florida Gulf commercial fishermen identify their catch with gill tags that enable retailers and consumers to discover the location where a fish was caught and by which fishing vessel and captain. The article highlights how vital marine species have rebounded through conservation methods that help create healthy and sustainable fisheries and how the future of aquaculture can play an important role in helping feed the increasing global population. A Look Ahead · Monday, July 11: Commissioner Putnam will testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Pensacola, FL. · Tuesday, July 12: Commissioner Putnam will deliver remarks to the Big Bend Chapter of the National Association of American Foresters, Tallahassee, FL. |
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