Tainted Foods & Rural Broadband Service

Tainted Foods & Rural Broadband Service plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

The possible risk of listeria contamination has prompted the recall of some hummus products sold at Trader Joe's, Target and Giant Eagle. Texas health officials discovered the possible contamination by food manufacturer Lansal. The recall affects more than 14,800 pounds of hummus and dip products. Also consumers are being warned to not eat fresh sprouts produced in Idaho from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts after they were linked to an E.coli outbreak. Seven people in Washington and Idaho have gotten ill after eating the sprouts and health officials have asked Jimmy Johns and other restaurants to pull raw clover sprouts from this provider off their menus.

Those of us who live in urban areas take internet service for granted but in rural areas it can be spotty or non-existent. USDA is accepting applications for grants to enhance telecommunications and broadcast services in rural areas. Doug O'Brien, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development.

O'BRIEN: Today, high speed broadband access provides rural areas with the ability to expand educational programs, increase access to healthcare and boost rural businesses and social services.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

For most of us Memorial Day weekend is a time for warm weather fun, happy celebrations, and backyard picnics or barbecues. We often forget what Memorial Day really means, and we seldom ask ourselves why we even celebrate Memorial Day. Today, in between the burger and brew, remember to take a moment to honor U.S. soldiers who served bravely and gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our country. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day started after the Civil War to honor those from the North and South who died in the War Between the States. In an effort to put the memorial back into Memorial Day all Americans are asked to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. All of us, wherever we are, should pause at 3:00 pm local time Memorial Day for one minute of silence to honor those who have died in service to the United States. Whether you are a military supporter or not, take this moment to honor those who died serving our country. As one of this nation's greatest presidents Abraham Lincoln once said, "Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure."

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.