STUDIES SHOW VEGETABLES AND FRUITS HELP LOWER CANCER RISK

New studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research on Sunday found that vegetables and fruits help lower your chances of getting head and neck, breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, according to the publication Health Day News.

One of the studies even found that just one additional serving of vegetables or fruits could help lower the risk of head and neck cancer. Still, the more fruits and vegetables you can consume, the better.

"Those who ate six servings of fruit and vegetables per 1,000 calories had a 29 percent decreased risk relative to those who had 1.5 servings," said Neal Freedman, a Cancer Prevention Fellow in the division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute and author of one of the studies.

-Source: http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/04/16/hscout603722.html

AG OPERATIONS IN EAA MUST CUT WATER CONSUMPTION BY 45 PERCENT

In response to one of the severest droughts on record in South Florida, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has toughened water restrictions for homeowners and businesses, requiring agriculture operations in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) to reduce water use by 45 percent. Other ag users in the district’s Lake Okeechobee Service area must cut consumption by 30 percent. Restrictions will remain until the drought eases, SFWMD officials said. Residents must cut lawn irrigation to twice a week.

The Everglades Agriculture Area is under a Phase 3 – or extreme – water shortage, with Lake Okeechobee five feet lower than normal for April. The lake level has dropped so far – to just over 10 feet – that gravity is no longer directing flow from the lake. SFWMD announced April 13 that it is activating two pumps installed in 2001 so that the town of Pahokee can get enough water for drinking and irrigation.

Local law enforcement agencies will enforce the residential watering restrictions; the water district will continue to enforce restrictions on water use by agricultural operations. SFWMD also is considering making restrictions on lawn irrigation permanent.

For detailed regional information, refer to www.sfwmd.gov.

MCDONALD’S TO PAY FOR FARMWORKER RAISES

McDonald's USA reached agreement April 9 with the Coalition for Immokalee Workers to pay a penny a pound more for the tomatoes it buys from Florida farms. The increase means that those who had been receiving 40 to 45 cents for a 32-pound bucket of tomatoes will soon earn about 72 to 77 cents. A third party will verify that the additional penny per pound will go directly to the workers.

The agreement is similar to one reached in 2005 with YUM! Brands, the owner of Taco Bell and other fast- food chains.

FLORIDA AG IN THE CLASSROOM NAMES NEW CHAIRMAN

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. named Cara Martin, assistant director of government and community affairs for Florida Farm Bureau, its new chairman. She succeeds Heather Nedley, executive director of Polk County Farm Bureau, whose two-year term as chairman ended earlier this year.

Martin has served on the Florida Ag in the Classroom board of directors for six years, and has worked for Florida Farm Bureau for five years. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in food and resource economics from the University of Florida.

CENTER FOR PRODUCE SAFETY TO BE CREATED AT UC DAVIS

Representatives from the country's leading produce trade associations and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura announced plans April 11 to create the Center for Produce Safety at the University of California, Davis. The Center will be housed at UC Davis' Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS), whose mission is to conduct research that enhances the safety and security of the nation's food supply.

Contributors who helped make the facility possible include the Produce Marketing Association, the State of California, Taylor Farms of Salinas, Calif. and other associations and industry members.

The Center will act as a clearinghouse for all available research related to produce safety. It will also fund new scientific studies focused on developing solutions that mitigate risks associated with the nation's produce supply.