A new joint study by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, finds that the recession is continuing to impact food purchasing and consumption behavior, including the meat department.

While meat consumption measured in tonnage was up significantly in 2009, the dollars are lagging behind as shoppers opt for cheaper cuts and prices dropped in 2009.  Forty percent of shoppers say they have changed the way they purchase meat and poultry compared to before the recession, down from 51 percent in 2009. This is also significantly less than the 50 percent who are spending less on groceries overall, signifying the strength of meat and poultry in the total food consumption.

Yet, the impact of income cannot be underestimated as 62 percent of shoppers who saw a significant drop in household income have altered their meat shopping. More customers are also cooking at home versus eating out, leading to an increase in meat purchases at supermarkets and other retail outlets.

A new survey by FoodMinds shows that the majority of those polled support Uncle Sam’s efforts to overhaul what is included in their food and on the packages. They also believe they are individually responsible for making the right food choices to avoid obesity, but will readily accept the government’s help to be successful.

According to the survey:

CHAPMAN – Preferred Popcorn, LLC, of Chapman, has acquired the bulk processing busness of Preston Farms, LLC of Palmyra, Ind.

According to Preferred CEO Norman Krug of Chapman, the purchase will help his company’s strategic focus in bulk popcorn, both domestic and export.

Over the past couple of years, the two companies have been partnering with each other, which, Krug said, “…has been a very worthwhile venture and has provided some great opportunities for both parties.”

“Preferred Popcorn has laid the groundwork for a solid domestic distribution system and while we export, we believe the Preston Farms customers will add a new dimension to our customer portfolio, and we look forward to serving those new markets,” Krug said.

As part of the deal, Preferred will acquire all of Preston Farms brands, including Spee-Dee Pop!, he said.

Krug said the Palmyra location will continue bulk operations under the name of Preferred Popcorn LLC. Preston Farms Popcorn LLC will share the location with Preferred to continue providing microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn for private label, fundraising, and ad specialty customers.

Gov. Dave Heineman was notified Thursday that his request for a federal disaster declaration for Nebraska was approved by President Barack Obama for winter storms in December and January.The current approval covers 34 of the 48 counties in the original request. The 14 remaining counties are still under consideration at this time, but Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun assessment to potentially add the other counties to the declaration.

In the coming weeks, NEMA will coordinate with federal officials to determine the full scope and impact of storm damages and begin recovery efforts. NEMA is scheduling applicant briefings in the affected counties beginning March 8 in order to complete project worksheets.

The declaration means federal aid is available to help supplement state and local recovery efforts in 34 counties struck by severe winter storms from Dec. 22 to Jan. 8. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will make funding available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repairs of facilities damaged in the following 34 counties:

Adams, Antelope, Brown, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cherry, Clay, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Garfield, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Key Paha, Lancaster, Madison, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Rock, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Stanton, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wheeler and York.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.

Al Berndt, NEMA assistant director, said, “These storms produced large amounts of snow and ice throughout the eastern part of the state resulting in an estimated $11 million in damages. This declaration will help the counties affected in their recovery.”