More on The Blizzard of 2011

The following was apparently just sent out by Sysco Food Services (One of Largest in U.S.)

ALL OF OUR GROWERS HAVE INVOKED THE ACT OF GOD CLAUSE ON OUR CONTRACTS DUE TO THE
FOLLOWING RELEASE. WE WILL BE CONTACTING YOU PERSONALLY TO REVIEW HOW THIS WILL
AFFECT OUR CONTRACTED ITEMS WITH YOU GOING FORWARD.

THE DEVASTATING FREEZE IN MEXICO IS WORST FREEZE IN OVER 50 YEARS...

THE EXTREME FREEZING TEMPERATURES HIT A VERY BROAD
SECTION OF MAJOR GROWING REGIONS IN MEXICO, FROM
HERMOSILLO IN THE NORTH ALL THE WAY SOUTH TO LOS
MOCHIS AND EVEN SOUTH OF CULIACAN. THE EARLY
REPORTS ARE STILL COMING IN BUT MOST ARE SHOWING
LOSSES OF CROPS IN THE RANGE OF 80 TO 100%.

EVEN SHADE HOUSE PRODUCT WAS HIT BY THE EXTREMELY
COLD TEMPS. IT WILL TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO HAVE A CLEARER
PICTURE FROM GROWERS AND FIELD SUPERVISORS, BUT
THESE GROWING REGIONS HAVEN’T HAD COLD LIKE THIS
IN OVER A HALF CENTURY.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, MEXICO
SUPPLIES A SIGNIFICANT PERCENT OF NORTH AMERICA’S ROW
CROP VEGETABLES SUCH AS: GREEN BEANS, EGGPLANT,
CUCUMBERS, SQUASH, PEPPERS, ASPARAGUS, AND
ROUND AND ROMA TOMATOES. FLORIDA NORMALLY IS A
MAJOR SUPPLIER FOR THESE ITEMS AS WELL BUT THEY HAVE
ALREADY BEEN STRUCK WITH SEVERE FREEZE DAMAGE IN
DECEMBER AND JANUARY AND UP UNTIL NOW HAVE HAD
TO PURCHASE PRODUCT OUT OF MEXICO TO FILL THEIR
COMMITMENTS, THAT IS NO LONGER AND OPTION.

WITH THE SERIES OF WEATHER DISASTERS THAT HAS
OCCURRED IN BOTH OF THESE MAJOR GROWING AREAS WE
WILL EXPERIENCE IMMEDIATE VOLATILE PRICES, EXPECTED
LIMITED AVAILABLITITY, AND MEDIOCRE QUALITY AT BEST.
THIS WILL NOT ONLY HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON
SUPPLIES, BUT BECAUSE OF VERY STRONG BLOSSOM DROPS,
THIS WILL ALSO IMPACT SUPPLIES 30 – 60 DAYS FROM NOW.
SOME GROWERS ARE MEETING WITH THEIR BOARDS RIGHT
NOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY
RE-PLANT, HOPING FOR A HARVEST BY LATE-MARCH-TOEARLY-
APRIL, OR WHETHER THEY SHOULD DISC THE FIELDS
UNDER AND WAIT FOR ANOTHER SEASON.

We are doing everything we can with our growers to
minimize the effect of this disaster on you. With the
unprecedented magnitude of this event we wanted to
immediately make you aware of the conditions. We will
continue to send out communications as our people
on the ground report back to us. We thank you and we
appreciate your understanding during this time.

Green tea 'can fight off dementia and could guard against cancer'



Green tea could protect the brain against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, say scientists.

The headline picture has nothing to with this article...but why are so many dead things falling and floating up?

The drink, which originated in ancient China, may also play a vital role in guarding against cancer, their study suggests.

Scientists at Newcastle University set out to discover whether the protective properties of the tea – previously shown to be present in the freshly brewed form – are still active once it has been digested.
Proven: The scientists at Newcastle University have found that Green tea can help warn off a number of diseases

Proven: The scientists at Newcastle University have found that Green tea can help warn off a number of diseases

Dr Ed Okello, from the university, said: ‘What was really exciting was that we found when green tea is digested, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer’s.

The digested compounds also had anti-cancer properties, significantly slowing down the growth of tumour cells which we were using in our experiments.’

Two compounds are known to play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s – hydrogen peroxide and a protein known as beta-amyloid.
Cup of goodness: Used by the ancient Chinese for health - and it is still healthy now

Cup of goodness: Used by the ancient Chinese for health - and it is still healthy now

Previous studies have shown that polyphenols, present in black and green tea, bind with the toxic compounds and protect brain cells.

When ingested, the polyphenols are broken down to produce a mix of compounds and it was these the team tested in their research, published in the academic journal Phytomedicine.

Dr Okello added: ‘Green tea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and what we have here provides the scientific evidence why it may be effective against some of the key diseases we face today.

‘There are obviously many factors which together have an influence on diseases such as cancer and dementia – a good diet, plenty of exercise and a healthy lifestyle are all important.

‘But I think it’s fair to say that at least one cup of green tea a day may be good for you and I would certainly recommend it.’

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the charity Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: ‘Diet and lifestyle almost certainly play a part in every person’s Alzheimer’s risk.’