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Gourmet Newswire

Purdue University President Defends GMO Technology

Purdue University President Mitch Daniels on Thursday, February 25, called on leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to push back against the attackers of biotechnology in agricultural production. Daniels was a keynote speaker at the annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington.

“The attack on GMO technology is the most blatant anti-science of the age, but it is far worse than that,” Daniels said. “Lives are at stake, and while scientists, regulators and business people are naturally reluctant to fight back, it’s morally irresponsible not to.”

Daniels cited projections by the United Nations that the global population is expected to grow to more than 9 billion people in 2050, generating a 70 percent increase in the demand for food. He described GMOs as the best hope to ensure the world’s poor have access to an affordable and nutritious diet.

“Thousand of studies and trillions of meals consumed prove the safety of biotechnologies,” he said. “We would never withhold medications with a safety record like that, and it’s just as wrong and just as anti-scientific to do so for food.”

Daniels also praised Purdue and other land-grant universities for making the world’s food supply not only safer and more abundant, but far friendlier to the environment.

Daniels cited work done by the university’s World Food Prize winners as well as the Purdue Improved Crop Storage program as examples of land-grant initiatives that are making a difference in the developing world. He also described a forthcoming study by Purdue agricultural economist Wally Tyner and colleagues that concluded if the United States banned GMO crops, consumers would pay at least $14 billion more in annual food costs and global agricultural greenhouse gases would increase by up to 17 percent.

ALDI to Open First Southern California Stores

ALDI opens its first eight southern California locations on Thursday, March 24.  The ALDI grand openings will mark a significant milestone for the grocery retailer as it prepares to open approximately 45 stores and employ more than 1,100 people in southern California by the end of 2016.

“Ever since we announced our plan to bring ALDI to Southern California, the positive response from people across the Southland has been overwhelming, and we’re excited to start opening stores next month and throughout the year,” said Gordon NesbitMoreno Valley division Vice President for ALDI.  “There is a strong appetite among southern Californians for an alternative place to shop and we are eager to show them the significant benefits that can come from shopping at ALDI, both for their wallets and lifestyles.”

When shopping at ALDI for the first time, customers will immediately see a difference from other grocery stores.  Those little differences add up to big savings for customers and are the key reasons ALDI is one of America’s favorite grocery stores:

  • Simply, Smarter, Shopping: A simple approach to grocery shopping translates into big savings for ALDI shoppers. In fact, shoppers have found that switching from national brands to ALDI exclusive brands can save them up to 50 percent on their grocery bill.
  • ALDI Exclusive Brand Products: More than 90 percent of the premium groceries available at ALDI are exclusive brand products rather than national brands. In its state-of-the-art Test Kitchen, ALDI ensures that its products meet or exceed the quality and taste of national name brands.
  • Organic and Gluten Free Options: ALDI carries a variety of organic and gluten free items including organic fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, and organic and gluten-free packaged food items. What’s missing from these premium foods? Premium prices.
  • Feel Good Food: Customers won’t find certified synthetic colors, partially hydrogenated oils or added MSG in any ALDI exclusive brand foods. Since more than 90 percent of the products in ALDI stores are under ALDI exclusive brands, shoppers can feel good about the food they buy.
  • Double Guarantee: Shopping at ALDI is risk free because of its Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI exclusive brand food, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price.
  • Regional Favorites: ALDI stores in California will feature a large selection of local favorites including California-sourced wine and produce.
  • USDA Choice Meat: All beef available at ALDI is USDA Choice cut and sold in vacuum sealed, leak-proof packaging that ensures meat stays fresher, longer.
  • Healthier Checklanes: ALDI offers shoppers guilt-free checklanes where only better-for-you items are available, such as single serve nuts and trail mixes, dried fruits, and an assortment of granola bars.
  • ALDI Finds: Each week, ALDI offers a special selection of premium food and non-food products, ranging from small kitchen appliances and toys to gardening items and outdoor furniture. These items are only in stores for a limited time so customers must hurry, because here today could mean gone tomorrow.
  • Easy-to-Shop, Consistent Layout: ALDI has an easy-to-shop, manageable layout of 10,000 to 11,000 square feet and four to five aisles.
  • Quarter Cart System: Shoppers don’t have to worry about shopping carts taking the best parking spots. Lend ALDI a quarter, and ALDI will lend you a cart. When you bring back the cart, you’ll get back your quarter.
  • Bring Your Bag, Bag Your Groceries: ALDI encourages customers to bring their own reusable grocery bags; however, paper and plastic bags are available for purchase. After check out, customers pack their own groceries. That keeps the lines moving, so shoppers can get in, get what they need and get on with their day.
  • Store Hours: ALDI is open during prime shopping times. California stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

The March Issue of Gourmet News is Now Available

 

Click the cover image above to be among the first to read the March issue of Gourmet News. And keep an eye on your inbox next Tuesday to read the spring issue of Naturally Healthy, which covers products to be exhibited at Natural Products Expo West, March 9-12 in Anaheim, California.