Calendar

October

  • 15 Food Quality & Safety Committee 9:30AM
  • 20 Almond Quality Evaluation Task Force 1:00PM
  • 22 Production Research Committee 9:30AM
  • 28 Environmental Committee 9:30AM

November

  • 4 Organic Task Force 10:00AM
  • 12 PR & Advertising Committee 10:00AM
  • 18 Nutrition Reaserch Committee 9:30AM
  • 30 International Committee 9:30AM

December

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OF NOTE

Apply Now for 2010 Leadership Program

Leadership training, industry education and hands-on learning are all part of the Almond Industry Leadership Program. This year-long program offers opportunities for personal and professional growth for young, diverse almond-invested individuals. Applications are being accepted for the 2010 program year. Applications are available online.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!

 

Almonds along the Silk Road

Popular theory maintains that almonds were taken from Central Asia to the Mediterranean as they grew in popularity during early periods of cultivation and distribution. However, a paper by University of the Pacific food historian Ken Albala has found that almonds may actually have been known first in the Mediterranean and then taken to Asia via the Silk Road in ancient times. In September, Professor Albala's paper was published in the food history journal, Petits Propos Culinaire.

closing the gap

Moisture content exceeding 6.5-7.0% in stockpiles of in-hull almonds can lead to the growth and development of Salmonella and aflatoxin–two of the industry's biggest food-safety issues. When stockpiling almonds, be sure to:

  • Stockpile only almonds that have been sufficiently dried in the windrow.
  • Place stockpiles only on a dry orchard floor.
  • Provide adequate grading and/or drainage to avoid standing water.
  • Monitor and vent stockpiles as necessary.
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