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Volume 8, Issue 41 October 19, 2007 |
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When Others Advertise In Your Business
By Steve Forker
I've been approached by salespeople trying to get me to display everything from paper political posters in my front windows to computerized LCD screens with paid advertisements for corporate clients. Marketers want more opportunies to "capture eyeballs" as they say. Most situations of that kind are easily handled. Just say no. Nuff said. The pittance they promise to pay for the placement would never make up for the tackiness and loss of control over the atmosphere I've worked so hard to create. I've been to other places in town with the posters in the windows or the digital screens and always think, "Gee, how junky looking a place this is."
However, there are plenty of other things you might want to actually use in your business in spite of the fact they have advertisements for products that are not your own. The most common I can think of are the ubiquitous "Coke" logoed cups that are always the cheapest option when you go to the cup store. (What? You don't go to a cup store? What's a cup store? Ah...we'll just forget about the cup store for now.)
Maybe you sell drinks to go and have take-out cups for that. You want to save money but probably also need to buy cup-sleeves for the hot cups so your customers won't burn their hands. If you're like me, you don't pay anything at all because a marketing company provides you cup sleeves with paid advertisements on them. This generally works out well...most of the time. However sometimes the ads might actually drive away business. Many of my customers work at a nearby car dealership. When the cup sleeves came in with an ad for another brand of SUV, I immediately nixed the whole case. I don't think those guys would appreciate trying to close a deal on one of their SUV's and have their client staring at the salesman's coffee cup - from my cafe - with the competition's SUV advertised on it.
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"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
- Andy Warhol
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Employee Health - Part 8 - Responsibilities of the Permit Holder, Person in Charge, Food Employee and Conditional Employees
Our goal for writing these articles is to give you, the operator, a better understanding of the current 2005 FDA Food Code.
Question: I have an employee who has a severe case of vomiting/morning sickness due to pregnancy. Is she allowed to do food preparation?
Answer:
The purpose of employee health observations is to reduce the likelihood that certain viral and bacterial agents will be transmitted from the infected food workers into the food. The agents of concern are known to be readily transmissible via food that has been contaminated by ill food workers. Over the next few months we’ll explore Chapter Two of the 2005 Food Code.
2-201.12
It is necessary to exclude food employees symptomatic with diarrhea, vomiting, or jaundice, or suffering from a disease likely to be transmitted through contamination of food, because of the increased risk that the food being prepared will be contaminated such as with a pathogenic microorganism. However, if the food employee is suffering from vomiting or diarrhea symptoms, and the condition is from a non-infectious condition, Crohn’s disease or an illness during early stages of a pregnancy, the risk of transmitting a pathogenic microorganism is minimal. In this case, the food employee may remain working in a full capacity if they can substantiate that the symptom is from a noninfectious condition. The food employee can substantiate this through providing to the person in charge medical documentation or other documentation proving that the symptom is from a noninfectious condition.
2-201.12 Exclusions and Restrictions.*
The PERSON IN CHARGE shall EXCLUDE or RESTRICT a FOOD EMPLOYEE from a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT in accordance with the following:
(A) Except when the symptom is from a noninfectious condition
Details Available in our Food Safety Area
For further information, contact your local, regional or state regulatory agency.
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View updated pricing and information each week on the website for the following food-commodity markets:
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Beef, Veal & Lamb |
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Beef output last week declined 4.9% from the prior week as various packers slowed production. Beef packer margins are estimated to have been notably negative for several weeks due to the inflated live cattle prices. When it?s all said and done, it appears that beef buyers will need to step up to the plate to pressure beef prices to levels where packers can be profitable this fall. However, this will have to occur in the face of a dubious US economy and year over year increases in chicken and pork supplies. Thus, any general beef market advancement may be modest in the coming weeks. Prices per pound FOB from USDA.
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Dairy |
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Both dry whey (21.8%) and butter (111%) exports during August were larger than 2006. EU butter stocks are short with the average price in the region around $2.65 US per pound. Strong US butter export trade with the EU is anticipated to persist but may be countered by notable US output growth this fall. The butter market is fairly depressed. September US retail milk prices were 21.3% more than last year and a record. Continued inflated retail milk prices would be bearish for the dairy markets. Prices per pound, except Class I Cream (hundred weight), from USDA.
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Poultry |
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August US chicken exports were 26.9% greater than the prior year due in part to considerable increases in trade with Russia and China. US chicken leg quarter exports to Russia during August were 30.5% more than last year and just short of a record high for the month. Strong US chicken exports could persist this fall but chicken output gains should partially offset the impact on the available domestic supply. Chicken production during the 4th quarter is forecasted by the USDA to average 2.8% above a year ago. Most of the chicken markets continue to trend downward. Prices per pound except eggs (dozen) FOB from USDA.
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Seafood |
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August shrimp imports were virtually even with the previous year due mostly to a substantial increase in trade Vietnam- 84%. Increased shrimp imports from Vietnam are likely behind the year over year declines in various tiger shrimp markets that have been experienced in recent weeks. The larger sized shrimp markets continue to advance but cyclical charts indicate that a general downward trend may be impending. Prices for fresh product, unless noted per pound from Fisheries Market News.
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Pork |
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Pork output last week was 8.4% greater than 2006. August US pork exports were 14.9% larger than last year. Despite the formidable increase in pork exports, there was an additional 48.7 million pounds of pork available on the domestic market during August compared to the prior year due to the increase in pork production. Strong pork output is likely to more than offset any increases in pork exports this fall. Thus fairly engaging pork prices should persist. Prices per pound FOB from USDA.
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Produce |
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As the lettuce harvest winds down in the Salinas California area, the lettuce markets are moving sharply upward with iceberg prices reaching their highest level in over 4 years. However, Huron lettuce production is getting underway and overall lettuce supplies should improve during the next 2 weeks which is likely to pressure lettuce prices downward. Technical charts suggest that the iceberg lettuce market should move sharply lower soon. Still, further lettuce market volatility may occur in early November as output shifts to the Yuma/Imperial Valley region. Prices shipping point unless noted (terminal) FOB from USDA
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Oil and Grains |
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Updated USDA forecasts have the 2007/08 corn crop pegged at 13.3 billion bushels (up 26.4% from 2006/07) and the soybean crop forecasted at 2.6 billion bushels (down 18.5% from the previous crop). The grain markets are firm. Prices per pound (oils) or bushel (grains) FOB from USDA.
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Canned and Frozen Food |
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Tomato Products, Canned - The US tomato for canning harvest will culminate soon with total California output projected at 12.05 million tons, 19.3% more than last year. The canned tomato markets are mostly steady. Price per case (6/10) FOB from Supply and Market Report.
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Processed Fruits and Vegetables - 2007 green bean for canning production is estimated at 510,300 tons, 5.5% less than last year and 6.7% lower than the 5 year average. The processed vegetable markets remain relatively firm. Prices FOB per case from Supply and Market Report.
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The Employment Center is your gateway
for posting job listings or your resume
into 3 of the most
popular sites
in the foodservice industry.
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Ideas needed for gift certificate sales
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I'm coming up with some marketing material to increase gift certificate sales this season. What are some good selling points (bullet points) for buying gift certificates for a restaurant. I'm tageting businesses with the material.
I know there are some obvious advantages but I'm looking for any ideas.
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Cajun Fried Shrimp
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Does anyone serve this on their menu? What type of dipping sauce works well?
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I fooled many a country into believing I was magic
I am the smallest member of my family. I wasn't always this small, I've just become rounded over the years. Native to China, where I was cultivated over 5000 years ago, I was basically flat. The Chinese turned on the Greeks to me and before long I was in every European garden worth mentioning. While my medicinal value is limited when compared to the relief my relatives offer, I fooled many a country into believing I was magic. I had them hang me up by the bunch in hopes of warding off evil spirits and disease. Truth be told, I did none of this, but I made for nice decoration when dried. My sulfur content is very slight so you won't get any bitter overtones from me, like you would from my brothers and sisters. From my tall thin filiform leaves, I produce lovely flowers in white, pink or purple that are a perfect garnish or colorful addition sprinkled over a salad. We are cut in bunches and never uprooted because we continually grow back. Our delicate texture and subtle flavor, along with our elegant length, is perfect for numerous fresh uses. You will find us cooked into eggs, potatoes, and several sauces, but we must be added at the last minute or our flavor will be lost. In decorative fashion we are often found holding the asparagus or beans together. We also help poor people hold onto their change, providing a civic duty to the community. I have also been known to get dried, tied, and classically supplied. If you want to juice me, I can be used as a vermifuge.
What am I?
View the Quiz Archive
The Food Quiz has is brought to you by Culinary Specialty Produce, a specialty produce broker that scours the world for the very best in specialty produce. Contact them at 908-789-4700 or by sending an email to info@culinaryproduce.com.
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