Arts & Entertainment
Amuse-bouche: We can learn a lot from the beef industry
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Scott Mechura EBS Food Columnist
I was reading a food industry journal the other day called “The Produce News.” It is full of information, such as how a heavy rain in a Mexican valley upped tomato prices by 9 cents; or how a carrot processor is moving their annual production from Salinas, California, to Yuma, Arizona. Riveting stuff I know.
But one article in particular struck me.
It was about the unusually high number of E. coli outbreaks in lettuce, primarily in romaine lettuce, in 2018.
Most produce processing facilities are enormous, with literally tons of produce passing through these plants in less than 24 hours. When I toured Mann’s, in Salinas Valley, the loading lots are the size of a mall parking lot, and if you were to show up the next day, every container of produce would have been replaced from the day before.
I have seen some of the most technologically advanced machinery in the processing of produce, specifically lettuces and carrots, in action. The complexity, efficiency, and intricacy of these facilities is beyond words. And yet, when it comes to tracking the produce through its entire journey, it is shockingly done with old fashioned pen and paper.
But most producers and processers finally agree that this antiquated method needs a serious upgrade. And they have identified blockchain technology as the answer. With the use of an incorruptible digital ledger, blockchain should bring some clarity to such a massive and vital component of our food system. The goal is that all major producers will have a new digital tracking system up and running by October 2019.
In the current system, when an identified or potential outbreak occurs, produce must be painstakingly tracked down nationwide and discarded. It can take well over a week to trace heads of lettuce, spinach, or tomatoes. With the new proposed tracking system, it could take mere seconds. And without accurate, reliable tracking, the volume of food being thrown away to err on the side of caution, is inefficient, wasteful, and honestly, sickening.
All of this made me think, why hasn’t this tracking system upgrade happened already? The beef industry has had pinpoint tracking of livestock for years.
If you are a seedstock rancher or raise cattle for their genetic makeup to be sold to ranchers who raise the cattle we eat, the amount of data kept and tracked is impressive.
And if you are a rancher raising livestock for consumption, the tracking is equally as detailed.
Those tags on a cow’s ear have a series of numeric codes that contain a wealth of information. Stats on that animal are meticulously tracked at every stage of its provenance.
Their system and data is so thorough and precise that if a problem with a batch of steaks is identified in China, or France, or Florida, they know the exact ranch those steaks originated on, the birth date of that cow, and everywhere it was in between.
After the most recent E.coli outbreak in romaine lettuce, supplier giants Sam’s Club and Walmart are leading the way in requesting that the current tracking system be updated, and offering their assistance to do so.
Say what you will about big corporations, but they do possess the clout and influence to do good.
Scott Mechura has spent a life in the hospitality industry. He is a former certified beer judge and currently the Executive Chef at Buck’s T-4 Lodge in Big Sky.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
18mar8:00 pm10:00 pmGays on Blades8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Event Type :SportsEvent City:Big Sky
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be hot cocoa donated by the Hungry Moose and pizza donated by Blue Moon Bakery. Ice skate rentals are available at East Slope Outdoors until 8pm.
Time
(Monday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm