Month: October 2022

2022-10-02T00:01:00

(BPT) – At a time when consumer interest in sustainability is changing how many companies make, source and distribute products, concern for the humane treatment of farmed animals is focusing shoppers’ attention on where their food comes from. In response to consumer demand, a new California law, Proposition 12 or The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, aims to regulate better living conditions at farms producing eggs, veal and pork. While legal battles over the law are ongoing, many pork producers nationwide are preparing to comply. Because the California law impacts any farmers supplying products to that state, the law, if upheld by the Supreme Court, will have far-reaching effects.

For pork production, the law will determine how much space pregnant sows are provided. While many unfamiliar with pig farming may imagine a large outdoor pen with animals milling freely about, today’s pork production is a far different picture: To maximize efficiency, most farms keep pigs in small, rectangular metal cages (or “crates”), with pregnant sows completely unable to turn around, lie down and extend their legs. The Humane Society of the United States, among many other advocates, view this as inhumane. The law increases the current industry standard of 14 square feet per crate to a minimum 24 square feet for these approximately 500-pound animals, allowing them room to turn and lie down.

Farmer viewpoints

Some pig farmers not only agree with the new law’s concept, but are already complying. For example, Tim Brandt has raised hogs since 1987 on his family’s multi-generation Ohio farm founded in 1901. Originally, his family’s pigs lived in barns with straw-bedded pens, moving freely inside and out. However, this changed when the industry began transitioning to hog barns filled with metal crates and slatted floors for breeding sows over the next decade. While this practice was implemented to increase output and lower labor costs, Brandt noticed how stressed his pigs became — and they produced fewer piglets.

“I totally regretted it,” Brandt said.

He began farming with Coleman Natural Foods, and when the brand committed to sourcing crate-free pork from its suppliers in 2017, that encouraged Brandt to return to 100% crate-free. He housed sows in social groups of 50 — and hasn’t looked back.

“I wanted to prepare the farm for future generations. By joining Coleman, I felt confident we would be prepared for a sustainable future,” said Brandt. “We know this results in happier pigs and overall better meat. It’s not the easy way, but it’s important not only to my family, but to today’s consumer.”

Some companies like Coleman Natural Foods are meeting consumer demand while also doing what they feel is right. They ensure that animals are treated humanely, that they’re fed an all-vegetarian diet, and not given growth hormones or antibiotics. Coleman, a pioneer in the natural meat industry, was one of the first national pork companies to source hogs raised 100% crate-free.

Humane treatment brings advantages

Farmer Jared Schilling, who raises about 40,000 market hogs per year in his third-generation Illinois farm, said his family anticipated gaining a competitive edge by changing their operation to give pigs more space. His family runs their 5,000-acre farm with hogs and beef cattle, plus corn, soybeans and wheat — all used for animal feed. The animals on his farm are raised in an environment designed for better health and comfort. The tactic has been successful, as he can now access premium prices by selling his animals to Coleman.

“All the animals in the food chain deserve respect and gratitude by being raised a certain way,” said Schilling. “And we’re just like the average consumer. We want to know where our food comes from, we want healthy, safe, delicious food — and we want the animals to be humanely raised and to have a positive impact on the community and the environment.”

Learn more about the humane treatment of farmed animals at ColemanNatural.com. And, look for products like Coleman Natural that have clear labels that say 100% crate free.

2022-10-04T08:01:01

(BPT) – Did you know that July 20 was National Lollipop Day? Make sure to add that date to next year’s calendar! On that sweet and special day this past summer, IT’SUGAR, the largest specialty candy retailer, celebrated the occasion by discovering an extra sweet way to help children facing critical illnesses, in partnership with Make-A-Wish^®. For these children, a wish is a turning point in their medical journey that opens the door to exciting possibilities. With a wish, a child is empowered to reclaim their childhood and build the motivation needed to persevere — and envision a brighter future.

Life-changing wishes are possible thanks to the generous support of Make-A-Wish donors and their partners, like IT’SUGAR. With their new ‘Pop’ It Forward initiative, the fun and festive specialty candy company invited customers to have a blast while also helping make kids’ wishes come true by purchasing exclusive Wish Pops — colorful, star-shaped lollipops that are as vibrant as they are delicious — for themselves, their friends, their family or even the person behind them in line to ‘Pop’ It Forward.

For every $1 Wish Pop sold, $.20 of the proceeds are going toward helping to make even more transformative wishes come true for children across the country. The National Lollipop Day special event was made extra special this year by inviting wish alumni to come and participate in a “candy raid” at its flagship store in the nationally renowned American Dream entertainment district in New Jersey.

During the “candy raid,” wish alumni glowed with joy as they explored the massive three-story IT’SUGAR store and all its sugary sweet offerings, including amazing towering sculptures of horses and mushrooms made out of jelly beans, countless aisles chock full of colorful treats, candies, novelties and plush toys, a lollipop garden and much more.

Wish alum and cancer survivor Erin grinned with excitement as she shared the many ways that her wish to go to a Rolling Stones concert has impacted her life, and her excitement about the ‘Pop’ It Forward initiative.

“It’s really awesome that a cool store like IT’SUGAR is helping to support kids like me,” Erin said. “I’m so excited to see many more wishes come true for other kids!”

Other wish children who attended the event were:

• Geneseis, 16 — wished for a beach vacation in Ocean City
• Olivia, 14 — wished to go to a theme park
• Knighten, 10 — wished to travel to Hawaii
• Avery, 13 — wished to go to Paris
• Bridget, 14 — wished to visit London

Since 2019, IT’SUGAR has helped grant wishes for children by raising more than $810,000 for Make-A-Wish through the sale of their Wish Pops. And through this year’s new ‘Pop’ it Forward campaign, the company aims to raise $1 million before the end of the year to restore hope and joy for children and their families when they need it most.

Want to help make even more wishes come true for children with critical illness today? You can make a difference by purchasing some Wish Pops at your nearest IT’SUGAR location, or online at ITSUGAR.com.

2022-10-04T09:01:00

(BPT) – With the start of a new school year underway, your teens are already learning new skills. While most of this learning happens in the classroom, there are plenty of opportunities at home to learn other life skills, especially around financial responsibility.

If you haven’t had money conversations with your teen, the fall semester is a great time to start. Your student will have plenty of expenses for school, extracurricular activities and their own wants and needs that they’ll need to learn how to fund. These additional expenses can be a great entry point into a conversation around how to help them navigate while they cultivate their own financial skills.

Not sure where to start? Check out these three financial hacks to start the school year strong.

1. Work Together

It’s never too late (or too early) to talk about spending mindfully and saving regularly with your children. The earlier teens learn the basics of money, the more prepared they’ll be for their own financial journey. While finances can seem like an overwhelming subject for you to teach and your teen to absorb, working together and having a real-life scenario will make it easier.

Teach them that conscious spending is crucial to their overall financial health. For example, they may not be aware that they’re spending more on their morning latte or online shopping than they’d like. Regularly checking in with your student about their account activity keeps finances part of your family conversations. This also provides an opportunity to help them analyze how much they’re earning, what they’re spending it on and their savings goals.

Getting started with a bank account early will help set kids on the right path for future financial success. As your child ages, Chase has different options to help on their financial journey, such as Chase High School Checking and Chase College Checking accounts.

2. Expense the Unexpected

With the school year in full swing, unexpected purchases for classes beyond the standard supplies can put a dent in family finances. A study published in 2022 by the Federal Reserve found that the overall share of adults who would cover a small emergency expense using cash or its equivalent has increased to the highest level since 2013 when the survey began. This is likely because these adults were able to increase their savings to cover surprise costs.

It’s important to explain to your student that an emergency fund can provide peace of mind to help with life’s unexpected surprises. Don’t be afraid to start small, as long as you start saving; even if it’s just $1 per day, you’re creating a resource for emergency expenses. The easiest way to start an emergency savings fund is to automate the process. With Chase Autosave, you can set up a repeating, automatic transfer from your Chase checking into your Chase savings account. Just set the amount to be transferred, forget it and watch your savings grow.

3. Stay on Track

Teaching your student how to create and stick to a budget can help them prioritize their spending and savings habits. For example, while it might be tempting to dip into an emergency fund for a new sport, band uniform or an outfit for the homecoming dance, these aren’t true emergencies. Instead, students should look at their budget and plan for those significant expenses by cutting back spending in other categories for the month.

The desire for these costly items also provides a great opportunity to teach your child about financial goals. If they’d like to save for a new laptop or the latest shoes, you can help them create savings goals for these expenses. This way, they can put aside a little money from each paycheck to afford the items on their wish list.

Using these three tips, you can teach your child important financial skills and set them up for monetary success as they age.

To learn more about high school and college checking and savings accounts, visit chase.com/studentbanking. Don’t forget to check out the Chase Student Resource Center to learn more about financial health beyond spending, saving and budgeting.

Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, may be subject to approval.

Deposit products and related services are offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

2022-10-03T06:01:00

(BPT) – Few events have shaped American society like the Cold War in the 20th century. The global conflict, riddled with propaganda between the world’s two dominant superpowers — the United States and the Soviet Union — had far-reaching social and economic impact.

President Ronald Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as “the evil empire.” From the time the Cold War started soon after World War II in 1947 to the time it ended in 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved and separated into republics, American patriotism ran high, but so did the constant fear of possible nuclear warfare.

Economically, inflation gripped the nation during the 1970s and early 1980s. However, that era also marked tremendous growth of the nation’s military-industrial capabilities as the production of military weapons and equipment escalated.

Blytheville Air Force Base

A major hub of military activity during the height of the Cold War was the Blytheville Air Force Base, which was located in Mississippi County in Arkansas.

For 50 years, the base played a vital role in all military conflicts from the time it opened as a World War II pilot training facility in 1942 until its closure in 1992 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. The government deeded the facility and land to the city of Blytheville, Arkansas, in the state’s northeast corner.

The Blytheville Air Force Base was built in a short time. Construction started in May of 1942 and ended just seven months later and was part of the Tactical Air Command to house the new B-57 bombers.

As the Cold War advanced, the Base was transitioned to a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility and a new infrastructure was needed to align with the SAC mission. SACs were charged with organizing, training, equipping and preparing strategic air forces for combat. They also controlled most of the U.S. nuclear weapons and the bombers and missiles that delivered those weapons. The SAC could also launch a one-third strike force to provide counterattacks within 15 minutes.

The Ready Alert Facility, which served as a “mission control,” was described as one of the “highest security chunks of concrete imaginable.” Adjacent to that was the crew readiness center where airmen were stationed 24/7 and on high alert. There was also a family visitation area where families and aircrew could see one another during their alert rotation.

All three of these important areas remain intact, which is unprecedented because the Air Force’s practice is to completely remove such facilities after an installation has been de-activated.

The National Cold War Center

Today, thanks to a dedicated group of community leaders and volunteers, the former Blytheville Air Force Base is being transformed in the National Cold War Center, where visitors will have access to these once top-secret facilities.

While still under phased development, visitors can take a short detour from busy Interstate 55 and learn great insights regarding the Cold War. Currently, the Blytheville Air Force Exhibition displays memorabilia and rare video. It also includes compelling personal stories from the airmen who were stationed at the Base during its half-century of operation.

Soon the Ready Alert Facility will be renovated so that visitors can see what life was like during the Cold War from the perspective of the brave men and women who stood ready to defend the United States from an imminent Russian threat for much of the 20th century.

Currently the National Cold War Center continues to aggressively raise funds while simultaneously finalizing architectural designs and securing grounded aircraft such as B-52 bombers. For more information, visit NationalColdWarCenter.com.

2022-10-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – Now that fall is here, it’s time to think about how to prepare financially as high school seniors apply to college. Take a look at the steps you’ll need to take, along with resources to help your child prepare for their journey to college.

2022-10-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – As the weather gets colder, it’s time to start thinking about getting your car road-ready for winter conditions. While your car may be running fine now, you’ll want to get it checked out before the weather takes a turn for the worse.

When it comes to car winter readiness, your first thought is probably the condition of your tires. However, there are other items you’ll need to check as well. For example, you’ll want to make sure your engine oil and antifreeze are suitable for colder weather to help protect your engine during frigid weather. You’ll also want to check your headlights, all exterior lights and wiper blades to help ensure clear visibility as well as being readily seen by others in inclement weather. And of course, you can’t forget to check your battery, which can have difficulty starting in colder weather.

If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, before winter settles in, you can take your vehicle to Jiffy Lube. With more than 2,000 locations nationwide, you can find a service center near you where the trained technicians can inspect your vehicle and help ensure you are prepared for the winter months ahead. And, in the spirit of the season, Jiffy Lube is giving customers like you the opportunity to help vulnerable seniors while getting your car ready for winter.

More than an oil change

As part of its mission to make a difference, Jiffy Lube is collaborating with Meals on Wheels America to raise funds for at-risk seniors through the Jiffy Lube Drive To Do More campaign.

The holiday season can be a tough time for seniors. According to Meals on Wheels America, in the U.S., more than 9 million seniors are threatened by or experience food insecurity, and more than 18 million live alone and contend with social isolation. While these are year-round challenges, the holidays can underscore and worsen these issues.

“The holiday season can be difficult for homebound seniors,” said Kristine Templin, Chief Development Officer of Meals on Wheels America. “Harsh winter weather and busy schedules can leave some of our most vulnerable community members at even greater risk of isolation, loneliness, and hunger.”

Through its national Drive To Do More for Meals on Wheels campaign, Jiffy Lube will raise funds to provide meals, friendly visits and safety checks to seniors. Throughout the month of October, you can visit your local participating Jiffy Lube service center and donate to Meals on Wheels during checkout, helping provide meals and more just in time for the holiday season and beyond. Jiffy Lube will also jump-start donations with its own contribution to the non-profit. Every dollar donated will benefit seniors nationwide.

During October, participating Jiffy Lube locations will raise funds for Meals on Wheels America and local senior nutrition programs to help provide meals and more just in time for the holiday season and beyond.

Before you hit the road for a family holiday gathering or winter event, make sure your car is ready for winter road conditions. To learn more, visit JiffyLube.com.

2022-09-30T16:59:00

(BPT) – Grapes are one of the most popular fresh fruits in the supermarket and prized as a healthy snack. But did you know that grapes can also add flavor, freshness and texture to a number of sweet and savory autumn dishes? Additionally, they offer health benefits you may not have considered.

Grapes from California are in season May through January. Today, 99% of all table grapes commercially grown in the U.S. come from California, thriving in its ideal climate of warm sunny days and cool nights to provide plump, juicy fruit bursting with flavor.

Sound delicious? Consider these excellent reasons for adding green, red and/or black Grapes from California to your menus as we transition into fall.

1. They’re a healthy snack.

When it comes to eating on the go, grapes are a natural, portable and delicious alternative to processed foods. They contain zero fat, they’re very low in sodium, they offer beneficial plant compounds, and they can help boost your energy anytime, anywhere. Since they’re about 82% water, they also help quench your thirst and keep your body hydrated too.

2. They play well with others.

The taste profile of grapes pairs well with many other foods, adding a sweet, slightly acidic boost of flavor — and a delightfully crisp, juicy texture — to a variety of different dishes. For example, grapes pair perfectly with the salty taste of goat cheese, the peppery bite of arugula greens, and the savory umami of nuts in this pizza.

3. They’re good for your heart.

Studies suggest that eating grapes every day can contribute to heart health in both men and women. Grapes help promote the relaxation of blood vessels for healthy circulation. Grapes are also a natural source of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols — which may help counter oxidative stress — plus vitamin K, all of which help to support heart health.

4. They offer variety.

Grapes come in a wide range of colors, flavors, textures, shapes and sizes. In fact, growers produce more than 80 different varieties you can explore, each with its own characteristics and flavor profile. That means they’re fun to experiment with as a snack and in a range of recipes.

5. They may help support immune health.

As fall approaches, many of us are taking steps to ensure we stay healthy through the colder months of the year. Eating grapes can help us keep our immune system healthy by contributing hydration, antioxidants and other polyphenols, and vitamin K. Flavonoids — natural compounds found in grapes — are being studied for their promising antiviral potential. Resveratrol, a natural grape compound, has also been linked to promising effects on immune function.

6. They’re versatile across recipes.

Grapes contribute a delightful layer of flavor to a wide span of different dishes from appetizers to salads to dessert. They can be roasted, grilled, pickled or prepared in a number of other tasty ways. For example, Brussels sprouts may become your new favorite veggie when roasted with grapes, which provide a delicate sweetness that complements the stronger flavored vegetables.

7. They are decorative too.

The natural beauty of grapes makes it easy to use them to help liven up a table or floral arrangement. Combine grapes and greenery for a festive table centerpiece, or place a bowl of colorful grapes on a coffee table for a lovely and edible accent.

Looking for more delicious autumn recipes featuring table grapes? Check out new and scrumptious ideas for your fall table from the GrapesfromCalifornia.com.