The American Bakers Association (ABA) participated in the Joint Economy hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 1. The hearing focused on high food prices, which are impacting American families.

“Food inflation in the first quarter of the year almost matched the rate for all of 2007,” said ABA President and C.E.O. Robb MacKie. “While there are many factors as to why commodity prices are so high, the effects of the government ethanol policy and land retirement programs cannot be ignored.”

“ABA supports increasing the use and development of alternative fuels, but such policy should ensure a proper balance between traditional agriculture and alternative fuel production as the balance impacts the ability to provide consumers with reliable and affordable food products,” said Lee Sanders, ABA senior vice president, governement relations and public affairs. “Continuing on the current path may lead to increased dependence on foreign supplies of basic commodities, such as wheat, which can lead to increased risk for food safety and security for our nation.”

“The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 allows for a waiver of the renewable fuel standard if implementing the standard would harm the economy. We are reiterating our call to implement the waiver,” MacKie said. ABA will continue its efforts with Congress and the Executive Branch to allow this waiver.

Cargill opened a new bakery product innovation center last month in Minneapolis. The center will help clients develop differeniated bakery products and provide bakers solutions to complex technical challenges.

Holsum Bread celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. W.E. Long founded the Long Co., Chicago, as a bakery advertising company in 1900 and bought exclusive rights to the Holsum brand eight years later. Under Long's direction, Holsum became the first brand to package sliced bread in wrapping. This year, look for a special anniversary photo to appear on Holsum packaging.