Welcome to 2005!

Florida Funding Staff

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In this update:

I. News

-UN REPORT: Poverty, Hunger over by 2015

-Tomatoes Remain Unpicked

-Food Check-Out Day

New Feature: Want to discuss a story featured in news or find out more information? Email our editor to discuss a story, request more information, or give an opinion. You may be featured in our new "Editorial" section where our readers will discuss their funding concerns.

II. Pre-Orders Available for The Complete Guide to Florida Foundations, 18th Edition, 2005

III. Hot Grants: January 2005, Part IV: Will Return Next Week

NEWS

UN Reports World Hunger Can End by 2015

A U.N. sponsored report states that it is possible to eliminate extreme world hunger, poverty, and disease.

The only catch: that the world's richest nations abide by previous pledges to increase development aid. One has only to remember the U.S.'s initial tsunami aid package of $15 million to be alarmed.

In 2000 developed nations promised to take steps to increase developmental aid to an amount equaling 0.07% of their gross national product. As of today, only five nations do: Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

While six other countries have committed to reaching the target by 2015, the UN would need the cooperation of all wealthy nations to achieve the goal.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, Columbia University economist and one of the authors of the proposal reiterates: "We are not asking for one new promise. Only the follow-through on what has already been committed."

Given the rising cost of the war in Iraq, the war on terror, Medicare, and Social Security it is doubtful the US would consider the UN's proposal at the top of its priority list.

If the US balks on its previous agreement it would not be the first time the US has turned its back on the international community. The Kyoto Protocol, which the US agreed to sign under President Clinton, was signed by over 140 nations with the goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 2012.

The Bush Administration has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, citing job loss and inadequate scientific proof of global warming as main reasons.

As members of the philanthropic community, Florida Funding urges your organizations to ensure the US fulfill its promise to aid developing nations. Whether by exerting influence over Congress members, or allocating funding towards this goal, remember that ending world hunger and poverty is no longer a lofty dream. It can be a reality in the near future.

Tomatoes Go Unpicked

DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO:

Terence McElroy

(850) 488-3022

HUGE CROP OF FLORIDA TOMATOES REMAINS UNPICKED IN FIELD WHILE PUBLIC PERCEIVES A SHORTAGE, BRONSON SAYS

HOMESTEAD -- Acres of Florida tomatoes remain unpicked while the general public still perceives a shortage, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson was told by growers during a tour of South Florida tomato farms today.

"I was shocked to see acre upon acre of unharvested tomatoes," Bronson said after visiting tomato farms in Homestead. "The perception of a tomato shortage still remains in the mind of the public. As a result, consumers aren't buying tomatoes, retail grocers and restaurants aren't placing orders, and our growers are facing disaster because they can't sell their crop."

Bronson said that, while there was a short-term shortage of tomatoes immediately after the state's destructive hurricane season, Florida's farmers replanted and there now is an abundance of fresh tomatoes.

"Florida's tomato farmers worked hard to get back in business following the hurricanes, but are now frustrated as their crop remains in the field because they can't find buyers," Bronson said. "Even with this abundant tomato supply, we're still hearing stories that some restaurants and fast-food establishments are still limiting tomatoes or not serving them at all."

Retail grocery prices for tomatoes, which had peaked at nearly $4 per pound in October and November, have begun returning to more normal levels. Bronson was told by growers that they are receiving 15 to 20 cents per pound for their tomatoes.

Bronson told growers he has directed his Division of Marketing and Development to assist them in moving the current tomato crop into the marketplace.

"We want American consumers to know that Florida is back in the fresh tomato business," Bronson said. "We encourage corporate buyers for grocery chains and restaurants to move swiftly to help satisfy consumers' pent-up demand for this delicious and healthy product."

Florida's devastating hurricane season - which destroyed tomatoes in the field and delayed planting of new crops - had contributed to a short-term shortage of fresh tomatoes in much of the country. The situation was exacerbated by problems in other tomato-producing areas (heavy rains during the harvest season in California and a continuing pest problem in Mexico). As a result, many consumers saw empty tomato bins in their grocery stores or restaurant menus indicating that tomatoes were available only by special request or, in some cases, not at all.

An unprecedented four major hurricanes -- Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne -- battered Florida's farmers in August and September, leaving in their wake uprooted crops, flooded fields and a battered infrastructure. Many Florida tomato growers replanted their crops after Charley and Frances only to see them destroyed soon after by Jeanne.

"Florida's farmers have rebuilt, replanted and revived much of our state's agriculture industry," Bronson said. "This is vital not only for our state but for the entire nation, since Florida farmers produce 80 percent of this country's domestically grown vegetables during the winter months."

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Agribusiness contact:

Overview of Florida's agricultural industry:

Report on the economic impact of Florida agriculture:

Recipes featuring Florida tomatoes:

Avocado and Tomato Salad

Tomato-Dill Jam

Tomato and Field Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Mozzarella and Florida Tomato Pita

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DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO:

Terence McElroy

(850) 488-3022

'FOOD CHECK-OUT DAY' IS FEBRUARY 7

The efficiency and productivity of America's farmers benefit consumers at the cash register

TALLAHASSEE -- By February 7 the average American will have earned enough income to pay for the entire year's food supply, and state agriculture leaders are encouraging Floridians to remember the efforts of the farmers who make this feat possible.

"Americans enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply on earth," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. "Based on U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, it takes just 37 days for the average American to earn enough disposable income to pay for his or her family's food supply for the entire year."

Thanks to modern farming techniques, America's farmers and ranchers are producing more food on fewer acres, leaving more open space for wildlife habitat. Precision farming practices boost crop yields and overall efficiency by using satellite maps and computers to match seed, fertilizer and crop protection applications to local soil conditions.

"Food Check-Out Day is a celebration of the bounty from America's farms and ranches and how that bounty is shared with American consumers through affordable food prices," said Carl Loop, president of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. "Compared to other expenses facing America's families, food is a bargain. While Americans must only work until early February to pay for their yearly food supply, last year they had to work until April 11 to pay for their taxes."

The idea for Food Check-Out Day was developed by the American Farm Bureau Women's Committee and was first observed in 1998 with an event in Chicago. Since then, observances have been held, respectively, in Phoenix, Nashville, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Jacksonville. This year's event will be held in Orange County, California.

More than 24 million American workers -- representing 17 percent of the total U.S. workforce -- produce, process, sell and trade the nation's food and fiber. However, only 4.6 million of those people live on farms, which is slightly less than 2 percent of the total U.S. population. There are 2.13 million farms dotting America's rural landscape.

Florida's 44,000 commercial farmers grow more than 280 different crops. Florida is the nation's "winter salad bowl," providing 80 percent of the fresh vegetables grown in the United States during January, February and March of each year. Year round, Florida ranks No. 2 nationally in the U.S. production of fresh vegetables. Agriculture is Florida's second-leading industry next to tourism, and has an estimated overall economic impact of more than $62 billion annually.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general interest agricultural association with more than 151,000 member families statewide and Farm Bureaus in 62 counties. Headquartered in Gainesville, the federation is an independent, non profit agricultural organization.

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For more information:

USDA Economic Research Service

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DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO:

Terence McElroy

(850) 488-3022