July 4, 2013

July 4: National Barbecued Spareribs Day

But right now it's

July 3, 2013

Union-Made Beers

When you're reaching for a beer, why not buy union-made?

Here's a brief list of beers and ales made by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the International Brother of Teamsters (IBT), the United Autoworkers (UAW) and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). If we’re missing any, let us know at [email protected].

Text BEER to 22555 to receive the list of your mobile device too.

https://www.unionplus.org/union-made/beers

July 3, 2013

USDA: Food Prices to Climb This Year

WASHINGTON — Total food prices this calendar year will rise 2.5% to 3.5%, according to a forecast just released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.

Much of the rise will result from the delayed effects of last year’s drought in the Midwest.

Even though the drought was severe, destroying a huge amount of field crops, food prices remained flat during 2012.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/usda-food-prices-climb-year#ixzz2XypOOoII

July 3, 2013

New Seasons Market 1st Grocer to Earn B Corp Certification

New Seasons Market has become the first retail grocer to be certified as a B Corporation, joining a global community of more than 750 mission-based, triple-bottom-line companies. B Corporation certification is an independent, third-party assessment of a company’s business practices, recognizing those organizations that make people and the planet a top priority.

“B Corp is unique in that it recognizes truly sustainable companies, those that have a higher purpose for business beyond just profit,” noted Wendy Collie, president and CEO of Portland, Ore.-based New Seasons. “We see achieving B Corp certification as an incredible recognition of our commitment to being a socially, environmentally and financially responsible company. Since day one, New Seasons Market has placed as much value on taking care of employees, our communities and our environment as growing our business. To have an external organization acknowledge and verify that our business practices reflect true dedication to staff, vendors, communities, environment, accountability and transparency is not only wonderful news, but it sets our mission and our values in stone not just today, but into the future.”

To earn the certification, New Seasons Market completed an exhaustive and stringent assessment of its practices, governance, environmental and community impacts, staff benefits and culture. The grocer’s assessment score has been posted online.

As the inaugural grocer to earn B Corp certification, New Seasons said it aims to set an example for its fellow food retailers, as well as inspire others in the local and national business community.



http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/regional-supermarket-chains/id39440/new-seasons-market-1st-grocer-to-earn-b-corp-certification/?icid=homepage

July 3, 2013

Belle Foods Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Belle Foods LLC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to published reports. The Birmingham, Ala.-based grocery chain has 57 stores that operate under the Belle Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Food World banners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, and more than 2,850 employees.

According to the filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Belle owes Southern Family Markets $28 million: $4 million for a loan and $24 million in a revolving line of credit. The grocer also owes C&S Wholesale Grocers $6 million: $5.1 million in accounts payable and $900,000 on a pension withdrawal liability note. Additionally, Belle has about $8 million in other accounts payable due.

Reasons Belle gave for the filing were that its older stores have made it harder to hold its own against new competition in its markets, the nation’s higher payroll taxes have led customers to buy fewer items, and technical issues with its accounting system resulted in losses last year.

In June 2012, Belle acquired its stores from Southern Family Markets, which in turn had taken over a number of Bruno’s and Food World locations after the bankruptcy of what was an area grocery giant for much of the 20th century. Belle has been in the process of rebannering all of the stores under its own name. In April, the grocer said it planned to cut the number of full-time employees and replace them with as many as 300 part-timers, to save costs. (Charming, simply Charming)

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/regional-supermarket-chains/id39445/belle-foods-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/?icid=homepage

July 3, 2013

Walmart Completes 10 Solar Installations in Md.

Walmart and SolarCity have completed projects at eight Walmart stores and two Sam’s Clubs across the state of Maryland. The energy produced by the new installations will generate about 4.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually -- enough energy to power almost 370 homes, according to the EPA calculator -- and is expected to provide between 5 percent and 20 percent of each store’s overall electricity use.

“In Maryland, we’ve set some of the most ambitious goals in the nation for advancing clean renewable energy and creating green jobs,” said Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. “We’re helping businesses take advantage of solar incentives so they can save money while embracing the job-creating, planet-saving potential of our green economy.” He called the Walmart-SolarCity partnership “a significant step forward toward a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

With more than 13,400 solar panels, the Walmart stores in Arbutus, Berlin, California, Cockeysville, Fallston, Hagerstown, Laurel and Severn, along with the Sam’s Clubs in Salisbury and Severn, will provide more than 3.1 megawatts of generation capacity.

“Walmart is a leader in clean energy here in Maryland and across the country,” noted Lyndon Rive, CEO of San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity. “Walmart is setting an example for companies in Maryland to follow; it’s possible for many Maryland businesses to pay less for solar power than they currently pay for electricity.”

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/national-supermarket-chains/id39441/walmart-completes-10-solar-installations-in-md-/?icid=homepage

While I am no fan of Wal Mart, this is a positive step that hopefully other businesses will choose to do.

July 3, 2013

July 3, 1754 – French and Indian War: George Washington surrenders Fort Necessity to French forces.

Fort Necessity National Battlefield is a National Battlefield Site in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, which preserves the site of the Battle of Fort Necessity. The battle, which took place on July 3, 1754, was an early battle of the French and Indian War, and resulted in the surrender of British colonial forces under Colonel George Washington, to the French and Indians, under Louis Coulon de Villiers.

The site also includes the Mount Washington Tavern, once one of the inns along the National Road, and in two separate units the grave of the British General Edward Braddock, killed in 1755, and the site of the Battle of Jumonville Glen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Necessity

July 3, 2013

July 3, 1890 – Idaho is admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.

Idaho (i/ˈaɪdəhoʊ/) is a state in the northwestern region of the United States. Idaho is the 14th largest, the 39th most populous, and the 7th least densely populated of the 50 United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state.

Idaho is a mountainous state with an area larger than that of all of New England. It is landlocked, surrounded by the states of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and the Canadian province of British Columbia. However, the network of dams and locks on the Columbia River and Snake River make the city of Lewiston the farthest inland seaport on the Pacific coast of the contiguous United States.

Idaho's nickname is the "Gem State", because nearly every known type of gemstone has been found here.[7] In addition, Idaho is one of only two places in the world where star garnets can be found in any significant quantities, the other being India.[8][9] Additionally Idaho is sometimes called the "Potato State" owing to its popular crop. The state motto is Esto Perpetua (Latin for "Let it be forever&quot .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho

July 3, 2013

July 3: National Chocolate Wafer Day

It is also Eat Beans Day. I do not believe the two go together well....Exercise Caution!

July 2, 2013

July 2, 1917 East St. Louis Riot

The East St. Louis Riot (May and July 1917) was an outbreak of labor- and race-related violence that caused between 40 and 200 deaths and extensive property damage. East St. Louis, Illinois, is an industrial city on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, Missouri. It was the worst incidence of labor-related violence in 20th-century American history,[1] and one of the worst race riots in U.S. history. The local Chamber of Commerce called for the resignation of the police chief. At the end of the month, ten thousand people marched in silent protest in New York City over the riots.

In 1917 the United States had an active economy boosted by World War I. With many would-be workers absent for active service in the war, industries were in need of labor. Seeking better work and living opportunities, as well as an escape from harsh conditions, the Great Migration out of the South toward industrial centers across the northern and midwestern United States was well underway. For example, blacks were arriving in St. Louis during Spring 1917 at the rate of 2,000 per week.[2] When industries became embroiled in labor strikes, traditionally white unions sought to strengthen their bargaining position by hindering or excluding black workers, while industry owners utilizing blacks as replacements or strikebreakers added to the deep existing societal divisions.[3]

Marcus Garvey while in New Orleans on lecture tour became aware that Louisiana farmers and the Board of Trade, worried about losing their labor force, had requested East St. Louis Mayor Mollman's assistance during his New Orleans visit that same week to help discourage black migration.[citation needed]

With many African Americans finding work at the Aluminum Ore Company and the American Steel Company in East St. Louis, some whites feared job and wage security due to this new competition; they further resented newcomers arriving from a rural and very different culture. Tensions between the groups escalated, including rumors of black men and white women fraternizing at a labor meeting on May 28.[4][5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_St._Louis_Riot