| Report shows Minnesotans underusing food stamp program
MINNEAPOLIS - Nearly 40 percent of the Minnesotans who are eligible for federal food stamps aren't using them, in part because they aren't aware of the program, according to a report slated for release Tuesday.That figure, which represents about 189,000 people, puts Minnesota in the bottom third of states in food stamp usage and deprives the state's economy of more than $170 million a year in federal dollars, according to the report by the Legal Services Advocacy Project in St. Paul. “It's distressing," said Jessica Webster, who wrote the report. “We have this incredible federal resource within the state's grasp, and we're not using it."Many people don't know about food stamps while others are put off by cumbersome paperwork and logistics, the report said. For instance, recipients must fill out a 22-page general eligibility form and then file reports monthly.The eligibility form, which will grow to more than 30 pages next year with new federal requirements, is “really daunting, particularly for seniors," said Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions.Moriarty said the use of food shelves has increased by 45 percent in the past five years while state funding has remained flat at $1.3 million a year.Hunger Solutions reported last fall that food-shelf usage doubled in five years in some northern Minnesota areas and increased by as much as 500 percent in some Twin Cities suburbs.Legal Services and Hunger Solutions are slated to hold a news conference Tuesday at the Legislature to promote a package of bills to increase food shelf aid by 45 percent, simplify the application process, allow recipients to carry over food stamps for more than three months and to report eligibility every six months instead of monthly.Legal Services and other recent studies have also shown that:-One in 10 Minnesotans said they or someone in their family went to bed hungry during one month because of a lack of money for food.-More than 40 percent of parents who use food shelves said they had to skip meals sometimes.
A foodie road trip: Victoria's burgeoning specialty food shops ...
When I first moved to Victoria from Toronto 14 years ago, what I missed most, beyond going to Blue Jays' games, was the city's ethnic neighbourhoods and the specialty food shops they contained. Over the years that longing has been sated by an ever-growing group of entrepreneurs who want to offer Victorians a taste of the world. Below are short profiles of 17 such establishments that I recently visited -- there are more, but I couldn't fit them all in. On a day off, use the map, take a spin and discover what a tasty place Victoria is to live in. Eric Akis's columns appear in the Life section Wednesday and Sunday. The author of the Everyone Can Cook series of books can be reached at ericakis@shaw.ca 1. Seven Valleys Fine Food and Deli, 2506 Douglas St. This well-established store is aptly named; it's packed with Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and European foods that could have easily come from seven valleys or more.
The Food Delivery Baron: Gino's Pizza
Hello again, gentle (r)eaters! Tis I, the food Baron Allen here. Today's article will explore the delivery of Gino's on State Street. As always, I placed a phone order for delivery to my friend's apartment on South Hamilton, with the desire to have a Large Cheese Pizza and an order of breadsticks. The order was placed at 7:44 on Thursday, February 22. The phone was picked up right quick, and the lady on the other end was quite polite. Unfortunately, Gino's does not have breadsticks, but she offered Garlic bread as a replacement. In order to best keep consistency, I agreed, much to my wallet's disappointment later! I was informed the total would be $20.90, which seemed steep. I was told the order would take betwixt an hour and forty-five minutes.
Charles hits out McDonald's
The Prince of Wales has hit out at the global fast-food giant McDonald's by suggesting that banning the US chain was the "key" to children eating more healthily. His controversial comments provoked an immediate reaction from the company, which said they were "disappointing" and accused Prince Charles of being out of touch with recent changes to their menus. .
Shire Receives FDA Approval of Vyvanse for ADHD
BASINGSTOKE, England, PHILADELPHIA, and RADFORD, VA - Feb. 23, 2007 - Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ) and its collaborative partner New River Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: NRPH) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, formerly known as NRP104), for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. On February 20, 2007 Shire and New River announced an agreement whereby Shire will acquire New River for approximately $2.6 billion in an all cash transaction unanimously recommended by the Boards of both companies. The transaction is the subject of another press release issued February 20, 2007. VYVANSE is a prodrug that is therapeutically inactive until metabolized in the body.
Barred: Mars adverts for under-12s
MARS bars, Snickers and Twix will no longer be advertised directly at young children, a global food manufacturer has promised. Masterfoods, which makes a raft of brands that also include Bounty, M&Ms and Maltesers, will cease promoting its products in magazines and during television programmes designed for the under-12s. .
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