January 15, 2008 by Jeff.

New Ag Commissioner Lorraine Merrill will be speaking in Brentwood next week.  If you’d like to come hear her or ask her a question, be sure to register ahead of time.  Below is the text of the invitation we received in the mail.

_________

UNH Cooperative Extension of Rockingham County
invites you to meet New Hampshire’s new State Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill
Tuesday January 22, 5:00 - 7:00pm
at the Rockingham County Complex
(Nursing Home Auditorium, William Sturtevant Way, off North Rd. in Brentwood).
Registration is required as space is limited. 
To register, please call the Extension office at 679-5616 or email Gail.Ramsey@unh.edu or Nada.Haddad@unh.edu

Commissioner Merrill will speak about her vision for NH agriculture, followed by time for the audience to ask questions and share ideas.

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January 15, 2008 by Sara Zoe.

As seen in the December 19, 2007 NH Weekly Market Bulletin:

Markets Fined for ‘Local’ Labeling Violations

The Division of Regulatory Services has assessed and received payment of two administrative penalties of $1,000 each from Market Basket/DeMoulas stores in New Hampshire. The chain grocer was cited for violations of RSA 426:5, relative to the use of the words “native,” “local,” and “our own,” that occurred in October 2007.

The Demoulas store at 265 S. Broadway, Salem, was found to have advertised “locally grown picked fresh daily sweet corn.” An investigation by the division found tha the corn was grown in Florida.

The Market Basket store at 108 Ft Eddy Rd, Concord, was found to have advertised “Locally Grown Romaine Lettuce.” An investigation by the division found that the lettuce was grown in California.

Market Basket/DeMoulas had previously been warned regarding similar labeling violations at these and other locations in New Hampshire, and failed to make corrections.

The intent of the law is to assure New Hampshire consumers who seek out native and local produce of truthful labeling. In addition, the law provides a fair marketing environment for sellers of farm products. The division rigorously enforces this truth in labeling law.

Posted in eating locally in the media, author: Sara Zoe | Print | 1 Comment »