policy

Dennis Treacy shares what sustainability means to Smithfield.

There are five pillars Smithfield looks at when talking about sustainability: Protecting the environment, animal care, food safety, how we treat our employees, and the communities in which we operate.

Smithfield actively works to help consumers understand their company and improve the relationship. Yes, Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the world. Smithfield works to communicate with the outside world about what they do as a large company, sharing the Smithfield story.

PoultryCast 0290 Show Notes:

• Communicating with consumers is challenging on most topics.  Same with food safety according to Tony Flood of the International Food Information Council.  He says creativity is key.

Using software and people to highlight issues is not new. But using it in agriculture is picking up steam. Food+Tech Connect and Gojee brought together journalists, tech designers, food/ag policy experts, and data gurus to explore the 2012 US Farm Bill. The goal was to highlight issues and extract data to support conversations and debate.

PoultryCast 0284 Show Notes:

• Senior VP for communications at the Food Marketing Institute, Susan Bora discussed efforts underway at the Food Marketing Institute to better communications from retailer to consumers.  She shares her thoughts on transparency and foreknowledge of issues which might impact perception at the recent Food Systems Summit.

Antibiotics used while raising beef, poultry, and swine, has some scientists concerned. What should consumers know? Consumers are making their voice heard through new methods (ex, Chicago Public Schools buying antibiotic free chicken). Scientist continue to raise the alarm about the over use of antibiotics (ex, Union of Concerned Scientists petitions to FDA). And farmers and ranchers question the validity of stopping the prophylactic uses of antibiotics in food animals (ex, studies comparing US farm operations with antibiotic use with EU operations with no antibiotic use see no changes in antibiotic resistance).

PoultryCast 0283 Show Notes:

• At the recent Food Systems Summit, Charlie Arnot provided insight on the most recent consumer research series undertaken by CFI.  The Center for Food Integrity is a great source of information on consumer buying decisions and industry perceptions.

Pilgrim's Pride has been ordered to pay $25.8 million to 90+ growers in Arkansas.

Mark Brodeur, the Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel, said: "It's a first in that I believe this is the largest verdict for a group of poultry growers against a poultry company."

The pay will to growers will range from $9,000 to approximately $900,000. In the mean time Pilgrim's Pride is considering an appeal.