Nation's diet becomes a growing concern

Public Record, The, Nov 30, 2004 by Slahor, Stephenie

Continuing the theme was nutritionist Paulette Lambert of Lambert. Devito and Calvo in Tarzana. Lambert said America has a major epidemic in diabetes. More than 11 million people have been diagnosed with the disease, and it is anticipated there will be 30 to 35 million with the disease in the next 10 years. "This is going to break the bank" in health care costs, she said. "This is the right time for agriculture to step in," reaching and educating consumers about the importance of sensible and nutritious eating. "Market the benefit of your product," she advised. because consumers want to take care of themselves with a healthy diet instead of costly medication.

Lambert said most people have few cooking skills in preparing vegetables and fruit. It is thought that the average person eats only 3.6 servings of vegetables and fruits a day when the goal should be seven to 10. The five-a-day promotion is failing, she said, "We're not getting anywhere near it." She suggested that farmer package their produce with a label spelling out the health benefit of the food. And because "taste sells food," she suggested labeling that not only tells about nutrition, but gives tips for easy cooking methods beyond just steaming or microwaving.

The Coachella Valley is "an agricultural Garden of Eden," said Albert Keck, president of Hadley Date Gardens in Thermal. "Just about anything that can be grown can be grown here." A full range of vegetables, citrus. and alfalfa dominate, but the valley also grows greenhouse

Ahlem contended that consumers really don't care much about agriculture as a source of jobs or as a key factor in a herbs, turf, ffgs, pecans. peaches. mangoes. nursery ornamentals, wheat, and other produce.

The valley is also unique in the nation as the place where the vast majority of the domestic supply of dates is grown. Although local dates are of a far higher quality than dates grown by foreign competition. they are labor- and capitalintensive to grow and become "value added" only after much processing, packaging and marketing, Keck said. Last year, because of low bloom and pollination, local production declined to the smallest yield in 50 years.

Keck further cited a "historical decline" in date production because former date groves are being replaced by urban development, with the trees either destroyed or used for landscaping instead of fruit production. The bright spot. he said. is that -there have been more plantings in the last five years than any other time," and there could be "an equilibrium as new trees come into production.

Coachella Valley farms "are not passive or bucolic, but active and professional," Keck continued. A strong labor force and support from businesses are leading to greater strides for local growers.

"California is the most agriculturally productive state in the nation, with over 50 percent of farm income here," Keck said. About 69,000 acres are being farmed in the Coachella Valley. "Has [agricultural production] peaked? Are we on a decline?" he asked. "I can't say for certain." But, he pointed out, the valley still has available agricultural land that can be put into production as other parcels are taken for urban development. "Farming is a strong social and economic factor in the Coachella Valley," Keck said, "and will continue as such for many years to come."