Energy and Environment from the Americas

May 15, 2008

Snack Foods Association (SFA) urges US Congress to reconsider Food-to-Fuel Policies as prices skyrocket

In light of dramatic increases in food prices and the environmental costs of fuels derived from food crops, Congress should revisit federal food-to-fuel mandates and subsidies, a top official of a Pennsylvania-based snack foods company told Congress t...

In 2007, 20 – 40 % of all corn in the US was used for energy production

May 14, 2008

Snack Food Industry urges review US biofuel policy

Today the Snack Food Industry made its case in US congress for changes in the US biofuel policy, in light of the dramatic increase of food prices and the environmental costs.

May 13, 2008

SunChips Brand Donates to Sustainable Re-Build Efforts in Greensburg, Kansas

SunChips, Frito-Lay's popular line of multigrain snacks, is stepping up to help rebuild the city of Greensburg, Kansas, which was tragically struck by a devastating tornado that destroyed nearly all of the community. In conjunction with Discovery Commu...

April 22, 2008

Latin American Leaders warn on biofuels and food

Two Latin American leaders have issued warnings about the effects of biofuel production on food supplies.Speaking at the UN in New York, Bolivian President Evo Morales said the development of biofuels harmed the world's most impoverished people. And P...

April 22, 2008

Biocombustibles, serio problema para pobres: Morales

El presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, criticó el lunes en la ONU "a algunos presidentes sudamericanos"por apoyar el uso de biocombustibles, que según dijo son responsables por los altos precios de los alimentos y la hambruna global. De visit...

April 22, 2008

Gov. Schwarzenegger Participates in Launch of Frito-Lay North America's Solar Concentrator Field

Today, on the 38th anniversary of the first national Earth Day celebration, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger highlights California's environmental efforts. He highlighted the ability to protect business and the environment at the same time by helping lau...

April 16, 2008

Burger King Restaurants Revamp Kids Meal Packaging

Burger King Corp. announced today a green makeover of Kids Meals packaging in the U.S. Beginning in July, Kids Meals will be packaged in bags made from 100 percent recycled materials. In addition, the beverage cups ordered with Kids Meals will be made...

April 08, 2008

Some good News on Food Prices

As the price of fossil fuels and commodities like grain climb, nutritionally questionable, high-profit ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup will, too. As a result, Cokes are likely to get smaller and cost more. Then, the argument goes, fewer peopl...

March 27, 2008

Frito-Lay Puts the Sun in SunChips

The newest demonstration of solar power(figuratively) is coming from the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo, which is using the sun to help transform its SunChips line of multigrain snack chips into a “green” brand. The initiative is centered on the additio...

March 26, 2008

For restaurant chains, buying local food still is a long journey

When Chipotle Mexican Grill executives decided to begin serving local pork from one of the most famous farmers in America, they did the opposite of what most big companies would do when jumping on the latest trend. They said nothing. "We wanted ...

Short course: Implementing Cost-Effective Energy Recovery Systems at Food, Dairy and Meat Processing Facilities

March 13, 2008

Short course: Implementing Cost-Effective Energy Recovery Systems at Food, Dairy & Meat Processing Facilities

One of the PotatoPro readers tipped us on the following event which we would like to share with you: The development and implementation of a successful waste-to-energy or energy conservation bio-processing facility requires extensive planning, a cl...

February 27, 2008

Chips and Snacks Production going local, very local

Today we want to address a new development in the snack sector which I would call: 'Snack production going local' . Two companies, 'Fresh Chips' and 'The Chippery' each offer a different concept that eliminates the industrial potato chips production line or the snack factory and replaces it with a mini factory you may soon find on your street corner, literally.

February 18, 2008

Survey shows business contradiction on climate change

A recent survey of executive opinions on climate change found that the majority regard it as a strategically important issue - but more than a third said it is seldom or never considered when actually developing strategy. The survey, conducted by the...

February 14, 2008

Half The World’s Consumers Would Give Up ‘Convenience Packaging’ to Help The Environment

According to a Nielsen Global Food Packaging Survey, nearly one in two global consumers would give up all forms of packaging provided for Convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment, including: packaging designed for easy stacking/storing ...

February 13, 2008

Palm oil sustainability hampered by lack of biodiversity studies

More research is urgently needed on the biodiversity impact of palm oil production, says a new report, as food and other consumer goods manufacturers make sustainable sourcing a priority. Palm oil, a major source of vegetable oils and fat, is derived...

January 31, 2008

Flavor trends go local, ethnic and healthy

Trends are set to combine in 2008, with Americanized ethnic flavors and healthy but indulgent products steering the market, while locally, ethically sourced food will continue to grow in popularity, says a new report. Packaged Facts Food Flavors and In...

January 24, 2008

Wal-Mart chief pledges higher prices for sustainable suppliers

Wal-Mart will launch a major retail-industry effort to improve social, ethical and environmental standards in the factories of its suppliers, CEO and president Lee Scott told a meeting of store managers. Wal-Mart says it is already demanding that so...

January 10, 2008

IRI: 50% of Consumers Consider Sustainability When Choosing Products

About half of U.S. consumers consider at least one sustainability factor in selecting consumer packaged goods items and choosing where to shop for those products, a new Information Resources Inc. survey reveals. Respondents were presented with sustaina...