Our News Picks of the Week

American Grass Fed Beef takes on conventional beef in tasting competition...and wins!

With a new 12,000 square-foot facility in West Oakland, Hodo Soy Beanery plans to expand its business while educating the public about good tofu.

Gulf Coast oysters are a topic of debate this month as the FDA announced last month that starting in 2011 it would ban the sale of raw oysters from the Gulf Coast during warm water months. Oystermen and restauranteurs argue that this is a blow to the food culture and economy of the South. Is this a raw deal? Read the NY Times article.

Which fruits, vegetables, and other crops have the smallest environmental footprint? Some crops make more efficient use of the land than others, so their environmental impacts may be less intense on per-calorie basis. Read More for an analysis of overall pesticide and fertilizer use.

Pesticides have been on the radar at the White House as well, read NY Times article.

A case study in trading up casual dining: read the success story of Ruby Tuesday here.

In Northern California, apple enthusiasts are working to keep heirlooms varieties alive and revitalize the production of apple brandy.

Last week Anya participated as a judge in the Timeless Turkey Tasting at Ayrshire Farms in Virginia. A blind tasting of eight heritage turkey breeds paired against Butterball; the Midget White was the favorite among the guests, while the panelists preferred the Royal Palm turkey for its “superior depth of flavor in both its white and dark meat.”