What Unlikely Animal is For Sale in a Temple City Supermarket?

Welcome to The Lempert Report; Food News Today!

 

The Health Department was less than impressed this past week when they learned that the Metro Supermarket in Temple City  has been selling selling raccoons as food. That's right, raccoon meat in the freezer department. Apparently the raccoons, selling for $9.99 per pound are considered a delicacy in China? The market has now ceased selling the raccoons while the Health Department investigates. 

 

There's no such thing as wasted food with these Brits. A group called, The Real Junk Food Project Manchester, has been diverting from landfills everything from fruits and veggies to other still-edible items that restaurants and grocery stores through away. What do they do with it?  Pop up dinners that cater to lower income residents. It's been such a success that now the nonprofit plans to open a permanent Junk Food Project Café!    

http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/12/cafe-puts-junk-food-on-the-menu

Speaking of restaurants with a different approach, Girard Brasserie and Bruncherie in Philadelphia has a 'Tipping is not necessary" policy. Servers make about $13 an hour and get benefits. Despite making the economics trickier for the owners, the outcome of this concept is all worth it they say. More loyal and content employees, create a better experience for customers. 

http://chicago.suntimes.com/business/7/71/311971/tip-restaurant-offers-food-thought-pay-benefits

 

According to a new study by researchers at Purdue University, Listeria  still has a consistent presence in retail delis. Researchers found 9.5 percent of samples taken from retail delis to be contaminated with Listeria, suggesting that standard procedures for cleaning and upkeep are not sufficiently effective.

 

And finally, do wine lovers have something to be happy about?! According to new research, scientists believe ellagic acid, a plant chemical found in fruit and vegetables, also slows the growth of fat cells. Muscadine grapes, a dark-red grape native to the  south-east US’,  and commonly used to make wine and port contains this ellagic acid. OK, there's still more research to be done, but for now, scientists view these findings as significant! 

 

To find out more on all of these stories, click on the links! Thanks for watching and see you next week!