Sustainability: Page 175

Railroads Retire Boxcars, Creating Shortage

The number of boxcars in service in North America fell by 41 percent in the past decade to slightly less than 125,000 last year as 101,600 cars were scrapped and only about 13,800 replacement were added.

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Propane Autogas Mitigates Maintenance Concerns for Sausage Delivery Fleet

Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)

For Stevens Sausage, the rising cost of maintenance on diesel engines was a driving factor in its decision to switch to propane autogas.

Stevens Sausage, based in Smithfield, N.C., has found propane fuel significantly reduces fleet maintenance costs.

Panasonic Touts Its Eco-Conscious Cold Chain Solutions

The global tech giant is focusing on their cold chain solutions as part of their new "A Better Life, A Better World" campaign.

Panasonic’s open showcases employs CO2 refrigerant technology to create an air curtain created of cold air that flows from top to bottom.

Russia Extends Food Embargo For Six Months

The issue was discussed by government officials in Moscow on Tuesday according to two people with knowledge of the matter, and the conclusion was that Russia has already adjusted to the embargo and can maintain it as long as needed.

File image of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ocean Ports & Carriers

Federal Policy Needed To Solve Congestion at Major Ports

With 85 percent of imports and exports moving through just 25 port complexes, traffic-clogged roads and other delays in a handful of cities can lead to major costs for producers and consumers nationwide, researchers at the Brookings Institution.

The Brookings Report calls for targeted investments by the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which every port pays into, to the ports that need infrastructure improvements the most.

Ocean Ports & Carriers

Study: Ships’ Diesel Emissions Cause Health Problems

Scientists studying the effects of maritime ship emissions on lung cells observed a stronger “biological response” to diesel-fuel emissions than heavy fuel oil exhaust.

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Farmers Contingent Cries Foul Over Whole Foods’ Organic Rating System

Longtime suppliers to Whole Foods are complaining that the program called “Responsibly Grown” can grant a farmer who does not meet the stringent requirements for federal organic certification the same rating as an organic farmer, or even a higher one.

Risk/Compliance

Congress Votes To Repeal Country Of Origin Labeling For Meat

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Some of the biggest U.S. food and beverage companies, including Pepsico Inc., Tyson Foods Inc, the U.S. arm of Nestlé, Coca-Cola Co., Anheuser-Busch and Kraft Foods, wrote to lawmakers this week urging them to support the repeal.

The North American spat pitting Canada and Mexico against the U.S. over meat labels has sown confusion among producers and shippers in all three countries, with a trade war potentially just weeks away, according to Reuters.

EPA Plans Emissions Cuts For Airplanes And Trucks

In the coming weeks, the EPA is also expected to unveil rules aimed at reducing emissions of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—from oil and natural-gas operations.

Epa Seal 544922696808e

WhiteWave Foods Co. To Acquire Plant-Based Nutrition Maker Vega For $550 M

Vega offers a broad range of market-leading plant-based nutrition products - primarily powdered shakes and snack bars - containing nutrient-dense, superfood ingredients.

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New England Officials: FSMA Could Hurt Local Farms

Connecticut's commissioner of agriculture Steven Reviczky thinks FSMA's lack of funding could undercut the growth of farms in the Northeast.

Connecticut commissioner of agriculture Steven Reviczky

U.S. Ag Producers Explore Rising Southeast Asia Market, Face Challenges

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

U.S. agriculture producers face unique logistical challenges in delivering those goods to consumers in Southeast Asia, especially with demand growing so quickly.

Recent developments in reefers and port facilities support the ongoing expansion of the global food supply chain.

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