Traceability determines how materials, packaging, products, processing aids, and so forth have moved through the supply chain. Often broken down into two aspects, trackand trace, traceability systems underpin food safety, food quality, sustainability claims, and transactional mechanisms to prevent food fraud and food defense incidents.

Tracingis the ability to follow a product backward from the retail shelf to the manufacturer, the ingredient supplier, and their suppliers. Trackinginvolves following material from suppliers, such as a spice, through to the spice mix and then all the finished products and their destinations where the spice mix was used as an ingredient and/or dusting material. The granularity of traceability is also essentiali.e., the level of detail in which we can determine traceability. Granularity reflects the time element of the traceable unite.g., production for one week, one day, one shift, the product produced between the last two quality control checks, and the distance element over which the traceability operates from "one step forward, one step back" (SFSB) through to entire "field to fork" (F2F) traceability. Traceability underpins information sharing in supply chains and characteristics of the data and the systems developed. The characteristics discussed in this article include visibility, transparency, and trust.

Figure 1 captures the many drivers of traceability in today's global food supply chains. Of note, the GS1 standards organization does incredible work to facilitate product traceability and recall generically and specifically for different food industry segments. For example, the GS1 Traceability Standard1 is an invaluable resource for organizations, and implementation guidance documents are available for beef, fish, poultry, pork, fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, wine, and more. The traceability standard also details examples of the fast-evolving need for organizations to understand critical tracking events (CTEs) and key data elements (KDEs). For example, the latest U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Final Food Traceability Rule2 articulates the need for CTEs and KDEs for certain products, with full compliance scheduled for January 20, 2026. The final rule is part of the FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint and implements Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Over the past two decades, our understanding of food traceability has grown dramatically. Just like any other emerging field of study or practice, however, it can be shaped and reshaped in different directions until the concept settles and matures. It also differs in how it is applied in practice. Traceability is developing and maturing, but much remains to be tackled. For instance, F2F traceability is frequently discussed and, in some supply chains, has been achieved through analog, paper-based systems. While transitioning to digital traceability approaches has been proposed, there are challenges in collating and open sharing of all information in supply chains (supply chain visibility).

Allergen management is one area where such systems have direct public health implications. A key point not often discussed in F2F traceability is privacy laws, which prevent consumer transactions from being tracked without consent. After all, if organizations or government agencies knew every food item bought and consumed in a household, would people feel this was an invasion of their privacy? Using customer loyalty cards with rewards points in return for providing purchase information is an embedded consumer practice, or purchasing food online and engaging with features such as "your shopping list." However, these data-driven loyalty programs and online algorithms do not give a picture of the totality of food purchases, food waste, and consumption for a given household.

Personally identifiable information (PII) is legally collected when you purchase goods from member-based retailers like Costco, through retailer loyalty programs, or through e-commerce channels. In these opt-in programs, PII is legally captured and may enable the "fork" dimension of proper F2F traceability. If something goes wrong in the supply chain, then these retailers can notify their customers directly of a product recall. If PII is not captured, then only theproductidentification is known, and the other two "Ps" needed for traceabilitytheparty(consumer name) andpremises(consumer's home address)are unknown and, thus, traceability stops at the retail shelf.

Even if we are aware of and comprehend the goals of F2F traceability, perhaps F2F transparency would be a better framework to approach the topic. We argue that bringing food to market may involve many trading parties and complex supply chains, and business-to-business (B2B) interoperability between these systems is frequently lacking. Apart from short or local supply chains (e.g., a farmer's meat sold at a farmers' market, their farm shop, or vending machines), often called business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, a customer typically has no access to the information about the many parties engaged in bringing a product to market. Suppose a consumer scans a 2D or 3D barcode on a food item. In that case, they may have limited access to a form of "fork-to-farm" traceback, often accessing only static marketing information about the brand or farm on a website, but receiving little to no data on the route to market (the actual F2F traceability).

Of course, a consumer scan is not the same degree of traceback that a food company might perform in a product recall scenario. Still, it can provide a semblance of trust. Providing consumers with static data (e.g., brand details, supplier location, farm location) on the food source lacks granularity. It is an oversimplification of the intricacies involved in end-to-end food chain traceability.

From an organizational perspective, transparency should be seen as a fundamentally important tool for addressing stakeholder and customer mistrust while improving and proving (a process known as nonrepudiation) an organization's responsible management practices.3In the food industry, we discuss creating a culture of food safety. With his excellent books and briefings, pioneers like Frank Yiannas helped pave the way. Is it now time for executives at large food companies to consider creating and enforcing a culture of transparency? What would that mean for their internal operations, and what does that mean for their shareholders and customers? There is little doubt that the pressures on food companies to deliver safe, affordable, and nutrient-dense foods to market are increasing amid disruptions and conflict.

More specifically for the food industry, product-related transparency was first discussed with consumer safety, environmental politics, and sustainability concerns in mind. Transparency refers to the availability and visibility of data among the parties involved in food supply chains and extending pertinent data to consumers to permit more informed purchasing decisions. Information about the brand owner, the geographic origin or provenance of the raw materials and ingredients, the growing and harvesting practices, the manufacturing processes, working conditions, and environmental effects could be part of specific product information made transparent (visible) for consumers. Providing this information across the supply chain and to consumers can help maintain product identity (preventing fraud and counterfeiting, and thus engaging more governmental and customs support), preserve food quality (verify harvest/best before dates, etc.), food safety (food safety advice, rapid recall notifications of unsafe food), and reduce risk to brand value, among other things.4,5,6

Information on the credentialing procedure for product or process claims, including kosher, halal, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic, to name a few, is conceptualized as a crucial element in transparency data. For example, USDA recently announced7stricter rules and enforcement actions for USDA organic claims on January 18, 2023, to signal "A significant increase in oversight and enforcement authority to reinforce the trust of consumers, farmers, and those transitioning to organic production." USDA provides a website where a consumer can verify if a particular food company and product are certified to their organic standard. This is a critically important move by USDA, as its organic logo sends a strong signal to consumers and acts as a proxy for trust, especially as it is a governmental scheme with rigorous enforcement.

However, this strong signal of trust is still vulnerable to bad actors that fraudulently claim to have USDA organic certification, but do not. When we checked USDA's website for a list of fraudulent certification claims8in late January 2023, we found 166 records, consistent with previous years. The highest frequency of fraudulent USDA organic certifications reported was found in the U.S. (31 recorded fraudulent certifications), followed by China (23), South Africa (17), Thailand (14), Mexico (12), and India (9). In Europe, similar instances of fraud with organic products are founde.g., selling conventionally produced eggs as organic in the UK and Germany, dilution of organic pistachios with the conventionally grown product identified in Spain, and the Italian "Puss-in-Boots" incident with cereals, a highly sophisticated organized crime group network spanning multiple countries and legal jurisdictions.9With credence-based foods, it is a daunting task to manage a global certification scheme and deliver effective market surveillance. Regulators must encourage an online presence where consumers can verify these product claims.

Visibility means that specific data and information are readily accessible for those who wish to use it (both inside and outside the organization) for validation, monitoring, surveillance, and verification of business operations, food product history,10and to understand both upstream (e.g., suppliers) and downstream (e.g., organizations involved from the business to end user) activities. Supply chain visibility has been described as "traceability and transparency of [the] supply chain process"11or the "identity, location, and status of entities transiting the supply chain, captured in timely messages about events, along with the planned and actual dates/times for these events."12

Visibility extends beyond traceability's passive, transactional aspects.13Traceability allows organizations to follow a product or its components forward and backward through a supply chain. Visibility provides information about what happened at each stagealong with the people, processes, equipment, and materials involvedand as a result, the likely food safety impact. For example, in the event of a food product recall for glass contamination, traceability allows an organization to identify the batch size that needs to be recalled, where its ingredients came from, and where the product went and to which customers. Visibility utilizes information beyond traceability documentation to determine what happened at each stage, what preventive measures were or were not in place, and if they had been implemented. The process of visualizing food traceability systems has also been considered in recent research to minimize data loss using material and information flow modeling techniques.14Still, this aspect of food safety management has yet to take off within business. Information loss can occur at any point in a supply chain where there is a failure or incomplete transfer of traceability data. Minimizing information loss generally drives better supply chain performance, specifically regarding food safety and the potential risk of product recalls.14

Traceability and visibility are only two elements of transparency, as disclosure plays an essential role in delivering transparency.15Transparency extends beyond the provision of information alone. Transparency provides visibility of how and why decisions were made, what information was used to make those decisions, and who made decisions on behalf of others, e.g., consumers. For example, during a food safety risk assessment, an organization will determine the acceptable level of a food safety hazard that is deemed appropriate (e.g., the limit of detection of the monitoring equipment); however, is this acceptable for a consumer? While a wealth of technologies are now being used in food supply chains to enable digitalization and more real-time sharing of data, if the technologies themselves lack transparency and explainability, this may cause consumers to be concerned about what has been disclosed by an organization and also what has not.15Trust is built on the foundations of traceability, visibility, and transparency. Roy (2021) summarizes that while traceability maps logistical interrelationships between products and their component parts, supply chain visibility seeks to integrate information sharing across the supply chain to build governance structures and maximize coordination, productivity, and performance.16

Sustainability is usually viewed as an attribute of a practice that impacts the use and application of resources in such a way as to allow any foreseeable future generation to be able to employ such resources to meet their needs effectively. To be meaningful, a definition of sustainable practice requires an understanding of the following:

Because sustainability includes social attributes, it is an important (perhaps the most important) part of ensuring equity in a food supply chain. The farmers, seasonal workers, and distributors involved in sourcing for the food supply chain must be sustained with just as much care as the soil, water sources, and pest remediation necessary to bring the foodstuffs to harvestability. Economic sustainability must include sufficient resiliency so that the workers relevant to food production are not readily enticed to seek other activities and employment when the opportunity arises.

The economic aspects of sustainability require careful consideration of how both net profits and insurance-based protection for safeguarding future net profitability are distributed from the farmer through to consumers. Based on recent work, sustainability can be modeled economically with a combination of persuasion and operant conditioning incentives (ethos and positive reinforcement), with traditional willingness-to-pay/marginal cost (WTP-MC) curves, and with sensitivity analysis-enabling Likert surveys.17Incentivization and persuasion must adapt to the realities of the food supply chain, as for any other form of sustainability. Based on this, sustainability in the food supply chain is conditional to the current state of knowledge of the resource requirements of this supply chain and the impact the logistics of this chain place on the resources required for the practice. Sustainability is an innately mutable state, and preparing for that fact will aid in designing supply chain processes that are preadapted to change with the exigencies of each supply chain. Two key organizational resilience attributes are agility and buffer capacity.18

The environmental resources associated with a food supply chain are, on the surface, the most obvious aspect of a sustainability plan. However, most plans are relatively superficial, focusing on the suppliers with which the logistics network (procurement, distribution, warehousing, and retail) has direct interactions. Since sustainability must be concerned with factors that may limit or grow the resources required by these suppliers, a resilient sustainability plan must include secondary and even tertiary suppliers to ensure that the primary suppliers have multiple sources for their supplies, including seed and feed, pest remediation, irrigation, transportation, and seasonal access to labor and logistics support. No one can plan a contingency for every potential vulnerability. Still, there is an increased need to add layers to the sustainability plan to provide a faster, more effective response to exploiting strategies for these climate, geopolitical, and pricing vulnerabilities, as well as other crises. Insurance companies are already involved in protection strategies for weather uncertainties and climate change risk mitigation;19they are undoubtedly to become more involved in sustainability and supply resiliency planning in the future as part of strategies to lower their exposure to risk.

The growing fields of systems engineering and developing circular rather than linear economics combine to provide emerging technologies and practices for more broadly establishing sustainability in food supply chains and providing improved and transparent means of modeling and evaluating them. Sophisticated modeling techniques such as lifecycle analysis (LCA), technical-economic analysis (TEA), and agent-based modeling (ABM) allow sustainability to be modeled on a farm-to-farm level, affording a bottom-up basis for an accurate overall picture of total resource use in a complete supply chain.

Additionally, multiple forms of economic modeling, such as the WTP-MC curves mentioned previously, enable a top-down approach to be simultaneously employed. From the comparison of bottom-up and top-down models, anomalies in the alignment of these two or more modeled networks help identify the locations most likely to deviate from the models. In these locations, extra attention can be paid to refine the models locally and also to adjust the models overall. This type of multi-network anomaly detection can be used for sustainability along adjacent (and equally important) topics of cyber-physical security, IoT, and other sensing, analytics, and identification of potential illicit trade and human trafficking.20

From the perspective of putting a broad program in place, sustainability starts with using what is already available; e.g., asset inertia or "sunk costs." Recognizing, for example, that the manufacturing sector has invested trillions of dollars in existing equipment and processes means that sustainability experts will look at ways to migrate these existing resources to improved resources without incurring higher costs (to the social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability cost modeling). Where possible, sustainability can be adopted from the ground up; for example, in creating carbon-negative infrastructure materials.21,22Also, the approach of trying to employ sustainability in the most difficult of environments (e.g., spaceflight) and then being able to "back off" the solution to the more mundane applications is attracting adherents.23It is essential for businesses to consider both offsetting strategies and also insetting, making processes and activities more efficient and, as a result, reducing their environmental impact.

In terms of delivering transparency, the services involved in getting food products to market is an area that we believe is underdeveloped and receives little attention. The research division of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) examined Chile's services industries for wine and fresh cherries in 2015.24It was remarkable to learn that both sectors needed considerable services for a single-ingredient product. In the wine industry, for instance, "a total of 70 services can be identified in this value chain; 33 of which are more directly related to the wine production phase, while 23 relate to the agriculture phase; an additional 14 services are transversal operations that support all stages of the value chain."24

The cherry value chain consisted of 88 different services. Orchard establishment included seven services across research and development for variety development, preparation and planting, and irrigation installation. Cherry production included 20 services (agronomy, pest control, certification, equipment and transportation, labor); packing included 19 services (certification, packaging, labor, information technology); marketing, distribution, and sales included 12 services; and transversal services included 13 services (finance, accounting, legal, human resources, etc.).

How can the sustainability and credence credentials of the service providers be checked and verified? How can we be sure they are licensed, certified, or authorized, and that their personnel are properly trained and competent? How do we know they followed regulations in both the country of production and the countries to which they are exporting, and used the proper treatments and chemicals? We strongly advise businesses to look into the services needed to bring their products to market. It is crucial to be able to rapidly identify all the services that went into bringing an unsafe product to market when a food recall is necessary and a forensic investigation is required. One particular aspect of note is software as a service (SaaS) and robotics as a service (RaaS) with particular focus on cyber security and vulnerability to cyber-attacks, particularly ransomware.

Verifiable credentials include many possibilities other than blockchain, which is a specific form of a distributed ledger. Distributed ledgers are multi-party means of providing consensus through a distributed, synchronized, shared record of digital data. Sequential digital signing by each sender/receiver pair in a supply chain has been available for decades by providers and standards bodies such as GS1. Credentials can also be readily provided through the use of digital signing (this can be used for any digital record, from code signing to document signing). Public key signatures (PKI), distributed ledgers tied to transaction signatures, encryption within encryption, and chains of nonces are additional sources of verifiable credentials.

Blockchain provides some non-equitable outcomes. For example, mining the next valid chain in a blockchain is innately susceptible to resource (computing power) asymmetry, thus allowing much of the chain sequencing to fall into the hands of those with the most computing power. Blockchain and bitcoin are also estimated to have the equivalent carbon emissions footprint as the country of Sri Lanka, perhaps double that if all cryptocurrencies are included. Given these facts, we recommend in general to keep credentialling both simple and sustainable: use multi-factor authentication (which also helps in forensic analysis of cyberattacks since the attackers leave their footprint on two or more networks simultaneously), and use tried-and-true PKI for authentication access control and non-repudiation tasks in the food supply chain. Certification scheme holders in the food industry who provide credence verification should investigate using the W3C "Verifiable Credentials Data Model v1.1" to facilitate digital verification of credence claims.25

Pressure to make sure that the world's food ecosystems are resilient, sustainable, and compliant with environmental and human rights laws is growing. Embedding traceability, transparency, and trust in food supply chains is also essential. The new German supply chain due diligence act,26which went into force on January 1, 2023, is proof of this. The act mandates necessary steps to be taken by companies in Germany with 3,000 or more employees in order to maintain human rights and environmental protection across their entire global supply chains. The act establishes rigorous standards and promotes increased transparency. The actions and behaviors required to get food sown, grown, harvested, processed, and distributed are largely unobservable by the buyers, unless they have a constant local presence or engage in regular unannounced audits; therefore, companies will undoubtedly face significant compliance challenges and increased transaction costs. Audits, however, have their limitations because they only offer proof for a certain moment in time.

There is little doubt that transparency and trust are essential to the success of future food supply ecosystems; however, the delivery of these criteria in practice remains the subject of much debate.

John G. Keogh, M.B.A., M.Sc., is a strategist, adviser, and management science researcher with more than 30 years of executive leadership roles as director, vice president, and senior vice president in global supply chain management, information technology, technology consulting, and supply chain standards. Currently, he is Managing Principal at Toronto-based niche advisory and research firm Shantalla Inc. and Professor of Practice at McGill University Center for the Convergence of Health and Economics (MCCHE). His advisory and research focus is on transparency and trust in the food chain, digital transformation, traceability, and recall.

Steve Simske, Ph.D.,is Professor of Systems Engineering at the Colorado State University. In his 20+ years in industry, he has directed teams in research on 3D printing, education, life sciences, sensing, authentication, packaging, analytics, imaging and manufacturing. His books, Meta-Algorithmics and Meta-Analytics, address intelligent systems. Dr. Simske is the author of more than 450 publications and more than 200 U.S. patents. He is an IS&T Fellow and the Steering Committee Chair for the ACM DocEng Symposium, which meets annually. He is an IEEE, NAI, IS&T, and CSU FIIE Fellow, and the Steering Committee Chair for the ACM DocEng Symposium.

Louise Manning, Ph.D.,is Professor of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems at the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology at the University of Lincoln. She is passionate about food and farming and how they support communities large and small around the world and help them to thrive. She has had over 100 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, and has written and published many books for a range of audiences. Dr. Manning's research is focused on the critical issues in society, food, and farming including sustainability, resilience, values, integrity, and trust. She works with academics, communities, industry, and policy-makers to develop new thinking to address the challenges of today and the future.

Read more:

Global Food Chain TraceabilityReflections on the Past, Present ... - Food Safety Magazine

Organic gardening has surged in popularity as more people realize synthetic fertilizers effects on the environment. Most people choose organic fertilizers because they are made from natural elements, making them better for plants and the environment.

But are organic fertilizers really the best option? Well explore the pros and cons and help you decide whether theyre suitable for your garden.

Organic fertilizers come from organic sources, such as animal manure, plant residues, and other natural substances.

These fertilizers provide nutrients to plants in a slow-release manner and improve soil health by increasing the soils organic matter content.

The nutrients in these fertilizers are not immediately available to plants as they are in synthetic fertilizers. Instead, the organic matter in these fertilizers must first be broken down by soil microbes before the nutrients become available for plant uptake.

This slow-release mechanism ensures that plants receive a steady supply of nutrients over an extended period, reducing the risk of over-fertilization, which can lead to environmental pollution and plant damage.

Unlike synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers improve soil structure, promote microbial activity, and increase nutrient availability. This leads to healthier soil and improved plant growth, which results in more nutritious and flavorful produce.

These fertilizers improve soil health by increasing the organic matter content. Organic matter provides food for soil microorganisms, which in turn breaks down the organic matter into nutrients that plants can use.

This process increases the soils fertility and water-holding capacity, which results in healthier plants.

They enhance soil structure. By creating a crumbly soil structure, organic fertilizers allow air and water to move freely through the soil, promoting deeper root growth and minimizing soil erosion.

They also promote soil microbial activity. Soil microorganisms are essential in breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients for plant uptake. Sustainable fertilizers provide a food source for these microorganisms, increasing their population and soil activity. This, in turn, improves soil fertility, leading to healthier plants and better-tasting produce.

Most experts consider organic fertilizers more environmentally friendly compared to their syntheitc counterparts. They are typically derived from natural sources such as animal waste, plant matter, and compos, making them sustainable and renewable.

Secondly, they promote soil health by increasing soil biodiversity, improving soil structure, and enhancing water-holding capacity. This helps reduce erosion and nutrient leaching, which significantly contribute to water pollution.

Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which may contain harmful chemicals and toxins, organic fertilizers come from natural materials that are non-toxic and pose no threat to people or animals. This means you can feel confident using these fertilizers in your garden without worrying about potential health risks.

One potential drawback of organic fertilizers is attracting pests and wildlife to your garden. They are made from natural materials, such as bone meal and fish emulsion, that attract insects and animals.

While beneficial in some cases, such as attracting pollinators to your garden, it might lead to an overpopulation of certain pests, like aphids or slugs, which can damage your plants.

Its vital to monitor your garden regularly and take action if you notice increased pest activity, such as using organic pest control methods or adjusting your fertilizer application to avoid overfeeding your plants.

Another drawback is that these fertilizers may not provide enough nutrients to meet the needs of certain plants. The nutrient content of organic fertilizers can vary widely depending on factors such as the source material, the processing method, and the composting conditions.

Additionally, organic fertilizers may release nutrients more slowly than synthetic fertilizers, so plants may not receive the nutrients they need on time.

As a result, gardeners may need to supplement their organic fertilizer with other sources of nutrients, such as compost or synthetic fertilizers, to ensure that their plants get all the nutrients they need to thrive.

Organic fertilizers are a game-changer for your garden, health, and the environment. By making the switch, you are improving your plants health and vitality and contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. Give organic fertilizers a try and reap the sweet rewards of a healthier, more vibrant garden.

Originally posted here:

The Pros and Cons of Organic Fertilizers - Greener Ideal

WASHINGTON Today, President Biden announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities:

Presidents Committee on the Arts and the HumanitiesThe Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) was founded in 1982 by Executive Order to advise the President on cultural policy. The First Lady has historically served as Honorary Chair of the Committee, which is composed of members appointed by the President. Private committee members include prominent artists, scholars, and philanthropists who have demonstrated a serious commitment to the arts and humanities. Public members represent the heads of key federal agencies with a role in culture, including the Chairs of the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, and the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, among others. PCAH advises the President and the heads of U.S. cultural agencies on policy, philanthropic and private sector engagement, and other efforts to enhance federal support for the arts, humanities, and museum and library services. The PCAH will also engage the nations artists, humanities scholars, and cultural heritage practitioners to promote excellence in the arts, humanities, and museum and library services and demonstrate their relevance to the countrys health, economy, equity, and civic life. Over the past 40 years, PCAH has catalyzed federal programs and played a vital role in the advancement of arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy, and the creative economy.

Bruce Cohen, Co-ChairBruce Cohen is an Oscar and Tony-winning, Emmy-nominated producer of film, theater, television, and live events. He won an Academy Award for Best Picture for American Beauty and earned additional Best Picture nominations for Milk and Silver Linings Playbook. He produced both the feature film and Broadway musical versions of Big Fish, won the Tony for Best Play in 2020 for co-producing Matthew Lopez The Inheritance, and was Tony nominated the same year for co-producing Jeremy O. Harris Slave Play. In television, he was Emmy nominated for producing the 83rd Annual Academy Awards and executive produced Pushing Daisies and Broadway at the White House.

During the Obama-Biden Administration, Cohen served as the entertainment industry liaison for Joining Forces, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Bidens initiative supporting service men and women and veterans. With Higher Ground, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obamas production company, he is producing Rustin for Netflix, directed by George C. Wolfe, starring Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin and coming out later this year. He is a graduate of Yale University and started his film career as the DGA Trainee on Steven Spielbergs The Color Purple. He lives in New York City with his husband and daughter.

Lady Gaga, Co-ChairStefani Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. She has sold over 170 million records, and has won 13 Grammy Awards, making her one of the best-selling most awarded female musicians in history. As an actress, she is known for her roles in A Star Is Born, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won for Best Original Song for Shallow, and American Horror Story: Hotel, for which she won a Golden Globe, among others. Shes been recognized with the Fashion Icon award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and has been included on Forbes list of the Worlds Most Powerful Women and TIMEs list of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2022, Lady Gaga launched Haus Labs, a clean and vegan color cosmetics line that develops innovative formulas that push the boundaries of clean makeup.

Lady Gaga is known for her philanthropy and staunch support of LGBTQI+ rights and mental health. She has traveled with President Biden to support the Its On Us campaign to combat campus sexual assault, has worked tirelessly over the years to advocate for equality, and has been an outspoken champion of mental health awareness. At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, she curated a televised concert to benefit the World Health Organizations COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, helping raise over $128 million. Alongside her mother Cynthia Germanotta, she founded and leads Born This Way Foundation, which supports the mental health of young people and works with them to build a kinder and braver world. Since its inception, the Foundation has demonstrated the transformative power of kindness and its impact on mental health through youth-driven initiatives, research-based programming, and high-level partnerships.

Jon Batiste, MemberJon Batiste is one of historys most brilliant, prolific, and accomplished musicians. Batiste studied and received both a B.A. and M.F.A. at the world-renowned Juilliard School in New York City. From 2015 until 2022, Batiste served as the bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS. In 2018, he received a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots, and in 2020, he received two Grammy nods for the albums Chronology of a Dream: Live at the Village Vanguard and MEDITATIONS (with Cory Wong). In 2020, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the Disney/Pixar film Soul, an honor he shared with fellow composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Batistes work on Soul also earned him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, an NAACP Image Award, and a Critics Choice Award. He is the second Black composer in history, after legendary jazz musician Herbie Hancock, to win an Academy Award for composition. Batistes latest studio album, We Are, was released in March 2021 to overwhelming critical acclaim. Subsequently, he was nominated for eleven Grammys across seven different categories, a first in Grammy history. He went on to win five of those Grammys, including Album of the Year.

Constance M. Carroll, MemberIn 2021, Dr. Constance Carroll established and currently serves as the president of the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Association, a nonprofit organization with the mission of providing assistance and expanding opportunities for Californias 116 community colleges to offer four-year degrees in selected workforce fields that now require a bachelors degree. Carroll served as Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District from 2004 to 2021, when she retired. In addition, she served as president of three community colleges: San Diego Mesa College, Saddleback College, and Indian Valley Colleges. Carroll was also Director of Freshman Academic Advising at the University of Pittsburgh and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern Maine.

Carroll received a B.A. in humanities from Duquesne University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin). She earned a Certificate of Proficiency in Hellenic Studies at Knubly University in Athens, Greece, and attended the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management. Currently, Carroll serves on the National Council on the Humanities, which is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, having been nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2011. She is a member of the national boards of the Community College Baccalaureate Association, the College Promise National Advisory Board, and the Community College Humanities Association.

George Clooney, MemberGeorge Clooneys achievements as a performer and filmmaker have earned him two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes including the Cecil B. DeMille Award, four SAG awards, one BAFTA award, two Critics Choice Awards, an Emmy, four National Board of Review Awards, and the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award. Films from his production company with Grant Heslov, Smokehouse Pictures, include Warner Bros Academy Award winning drama Argo, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Midnight Sky, The Tender Bar, and The Ides of March. Ides, which Clooney starred in, co-wrote, and directed, received Golden Globe nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Motion Picture Drama. In addition, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. He has also starred in films such as Out of Sight, O Brother, Where Art Thou, Syriana, Michael Clayton, Up in the Air, The Descendants, Gravity, and the Oceans trilogy. Before his film career, Clooney starred in several television series, becoming best known to TV audiences for his five years on the hit NBC drama ER. His portrayal of Dr. Douglas Ross earned him Golden Globe, SAG, Peoples Choice, and Emmy Award nominations.

Among the many honors received as a result of his humanitarian efforts was the 2007 Peace Summit Award, 2010 Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award, and he was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2022. Clooney has produced three telethons: The Tribute to Heroes (post 9/11), Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope, and Hope for Haiti Now, the latter of which raised a record 66 million dollars from the public. In August of 2016, Clooney and his wife, Amal, launched the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

Philip J. Deloria, MemberPhilip J. Deloria is the Leverett Saltonstall Professor of History at Harvard University, where he chairs the Committee on Degrees in History and Literature. His research and teaching focus on the social, cultural, and political histories of relations among American Indian peoples and the United States, as well as the comparative histories of Indigenous peoples in a global context. He is the author of several books, including Playing Indian, Indians in Unexpected Places, American Studies: A Users Guide, with Alexander Olson, and Becoming Mary Sully: Toward an American Indian Abstract, and is co-editor of The Blackwell Companion to American Indian History (with Neal Salisbury) and C.G. Jung and the Sioux Traditions by Vine Deloria, Jr. (with Jerome Bernstein).

Deloria received the Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University in 1994, taught at the University of Colorado, and then, from 2001 to 2017, at the University of Michigan, before joining the faculty at Harvard in January 2018. Deloria served for over a decade as a trustee of the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of the American Indian, where for many years he chaired the Repatriation Committee. He continues to work toward the return of Native American ancestors and cultural patrimony and for the flourishing of Indigenous life. Deloria has served as President of the American Studies Association and the Organization of American Historians, and will begin serving as President of the Society of American Historians in May 2023. He is an elected member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

M. Anglica Garcia, MemberDr. Anglica Garcia is an educational leader who is passionate about issues of access, equity, and student success in higher education. Garcia serves as the President of Berkeley City College, which is recognized as an Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, both proud symbols of being the communitys college. Unapologetically, she believes community colleges provide liberatory education experiences that disrupt the status quo, especially for historically minoritized communities. She is a Co-Founder and Board Member of COLEGAS, a statewide organization focused on advocacy and development of Latinx professionals in California Community Colleges, and has a proven record of equity-minded leadership. Garcia serves on the Puente Project Advisory Board, the national LGTBQ Leaders in Higher Education Board, and previously on the Board of Directors for Higher Education Resource Services. Appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, she served as the Vice Chair for the Student-Centered Funding Formula Oversight Committee, charged with reviewing legislation, data, and its impact on the California Community Colleges. She has been a fellow with the Aspen Presidential Institute, the National Community College Hispanic Council, and the UC Davis Wheelhouse Institute, all of which are leadership programs focused on equitable student outcomes. Garcia is a proud second-generation Latina and first-generation college graduate, who earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University, a masters in social work at San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal and Civic Studies at Saint Marys College of California. Garcia has been appointed to be the Superintendent/President of Santa Rosa Junior College, effective July 1, 2023.

Jennifer Garner, MemberAward-winning actress Jennifer Garner has enjoyed a successful career at the top of her field in both film and television and has also taken on the role of philanthropist and entrepreneur. Garner is known for her versatility in a wide range of starring-roles in Alias, Dallas Buyers Club, Love Simon, Juno, and more. She recently starred in and produced the film YES DAY, based on the childrens book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, which became Netflixs biggest Kids & Family film release. She also recently starred in the sci-fi film The Adam Project for Netflix opposite Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, and Zoe Saldana, directed by Shawn Levy. Up next, Garner executive produces and stars in the Apple TV+ limited series The Last Thing He Told Me, based on the eponymous New York Times bestseller, which premieres on April 14th. She most recently wrapped production on the Netflix comedy feature Family Leave, which she is also producing, and will also star and produce a sequel to YES DAY.

Garner is a Save the Children Trustee and has worked with the organization for more than a decade. In addition to bringing Save the Childrens early childhood education programs to her home state of West Virginia, she has advocated on Capitol Hill and traveled to Arkansas, California, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington to meet with lawmakers, press, and philanthropists to raise awareness and funds for the organization. In 2014, Garner joined the global non-profits board of trustees, deepening her commitment to issues affecting children in America and around the world. In 2017, Garner co-founded the organic food company Once Upon a Farm with Cassandra Curtis, Ari Raz, and former Annies president John Foraker. Together the visionaries have grown the company with a goal of providing children with the best tasting, most nutritious, and highest quality food utilizing sustainable methods. As a businesswoman, Garner has worked with major brands including Neutrogena and Capital One, and most recently joined the Virtue Labs team to amplify and raise awareness about the unique health and beauty benefits of the companys premium hair care line.

Nora Halpern, MemberArt historian, museum director, and curator Nora Halpern has spent her public and private life advocating for art, artists, and social justice. Since 2001, she has been a Vice President at Americans for the Arts, focusing on arts policy convenings and engaging individual thought leaders to advance the arts and arts education across America. She is co-founder of Street Scenes: Projects for DC, a public art program that provides access to the broadest possible audience by utilizing the city as a gallery space. Raised in New York City, Halpern began her career in Los Angeles as the Frederick R. Weisman Collections Curator and Founding Director of Pepperdine Universitys Art Museum. She was a Los Angeles Human Relations Commission member and received the Mayors Award of Merit for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Halpern has taught and lectured internationally. Among her many publications is the recent Putting the Arts to Work: 15 Years of National Arts Policy Roundtables, 2006-2020. She has curated numerous exhibitions, including a Yoko Ono retrospective in Venice, Italy. Halpern has served on the boards of the Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art, the Santa Monica Museum of Art, ArtTable, PS Arts, and Scholastics Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, among others. She was appointed to the Arts Commission of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021 and was a Biden Arts Policy Committee member. Halpern received her B.A. and M.A. from UCLA and was awarded a Helena Rubinstein Fellowship in Curatorial Studies from the Whitney Museum of American Arts Independent Study Program.

Steve Israel, MemberSteve Israel served in the U.S. Congress between 20012017, including four years as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 20112015. He left Washington to pursue new passions, including opening an independent bookstore, Theodores Books, in his historic hometown of Oyster Bay, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He also directs the nonpartisan Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at the Jeb S. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University, which serves as a platform for civic engagement and bipartisan dialogue. He has published two critically acclaimed satires of Washington: The Global War on Morris and Big Guns. He proudly serves on The Library of Congress Madison Council as well as many other boards of directors.

In Congress, he served on the House Appropriations Committee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which has jurisdiction on historic preservation, fine arts, cultural arts, museums, and related activities. He also served on the Subcommittee on Defense and the House Armed Services Committee. Israels written commentary has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, The Atlantic magazine, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He writes a biweekly column in The Hill, covering the state or democracy. He lives with his wife Cara in Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Marta Kauffman, MemberMarta Kauffman is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning television writer, producer, director, and showrunner. Kauffman recently finished the Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She may be best known for creating NBCs long-running hit Friends with David Crane. The iconic series ran for 10 seasons and earned 63 Emmy nominations, winning Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002. Reruns continue to delight with Friends: The Reunion being a ratings juggernaut. She and David Crane also created HBOs Dream On, recognized with CableAce Awards and additional Emmy nominations. The Writers Guild of America West awarded Kauffman and Crane the 2016 Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in television writing. She also earned the 2016 Outstanding Television Writer award at the 23rd annual Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference as well as the Kieser Humanitas Award. She recently received an Honorary Doctorate from Brandeis University. Kauffmans other credits include Georgia, Five, Veronicas Closet, The Powers That Be, Call Me Crazy: A Five Film, and the documentary Seeing Allred. Kauffman has served on several Boards of Trustees including CalArts, Oakwood School, The Lung Cancer Foundation of America, Big Sunday, and IKAR.

Ricky Kirshner, MemberRicky Kirshner is one of the entertainment industrys preeminent producers of televised special events. During his 30-year career, he has been tasked and entrusted in imagining and implementing many of the worlds most widely acclaimed and award-winning television specials, stadium spectaculars, and conventions; producing shows for every major U.S. network and watched by millions of people. Kirshners Executive Producer credits include The Tony Awards, Super Bowl Half-Time Shows, The Kennedy Center Honors, Democratic National Conventions, Presidential Inaugurals/Galas, The Oscars, and many others. Throughout his career, Kirshner has collaborated with artists and performers across all disciplines of classical arts, musical and dramatic theater, cinematic arts, and the music industry, working with major stars as well as up and coming performers and amateur groups. Kirshner has been recognized by industry peers for excellence in television, receiving 26 Emmy Nominations and winning ten Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Strongly committed to Arts and Music education in schools, Kirshner supports internship programs for college students on his shows. He is also a frequent guest speaker at colleges and universities, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in television and performing arts.

Troy Kotsur, MemberTroy Kotsur earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Frank, the Deaffisherman father of a hearing daughter who wants to be a singer in director Sian Heders CODA. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Kotsur is the first Deaf male actor and only the second Deaf actor overall to win the Oscar, after his CODA co-star Marlee Matin for her role in Children of a Lesser God. Kotsur also earned BAFTA, Critics Choice, Gotham, Independent Spirit and Screen Actors Guild awards, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in CODA. Other recent film credits include Wild Prairie Rose, No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie, which he also directed, Universal Signs, and The Number 23.

In television, Kotsur was most recently seen in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, for which he created the Tusken sign language, and was also used in the shows spinoff series The Book of Boba Fett. Other television roles include CSI: NY, Scrubs, Criminal Minds, Strong Medicine, Doc, and Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye. A native of Mesa, Arizona, Kotsur began acting in grade school, with some of his earliest performances including reenacting Tom and Jerry cartoon storylines to his classmates. He studied theater, film, and television at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, and following graduation, toured with the National Theatre of the Deaf.

Katie McGrath, MemberKatie McGrath is Co-CEO at Bad Robot Productions. She oversees the companys corporate culture, communications, and ancillary businesses. Prior to joining Bad Robot, McGrath was a founding partner at First Tuesday Media, a political media firm based in Los Angeles. Earlier, she served as Director of Communications at MTV Networks and as Vice President at the strategic communications consulting firm Robinson Lerer Sawyer Miller. McGrath began her professional career in Washington, DC as a legislative assistant to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). She currently serves on the transition team for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the boards of Pro Publica, ARRAY Alliance, and The McGrath Abrams Family Foundation.

Laura Penn, MemberLaura Penn has been Executive Director of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) since 2008. Under her leadership the Unions membership has grown over 100%, a result of her work expanding SDCs jurisdictions, leading bold and successful negotiations, and furthering its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives and political engagement. She serves on the General Board of the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) and is an active member of DPEs Arts and Entertainment and Media Industry Coordinating Committee. She is Co-Chair of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds, the first woman to hold a leadership position with this coalition of 18 influential unions representing workers on Broadway. Penn serves on the Tony Awards Administration Committee and is a Tony Voter. She served as a panelist for the New York State Council for the Arts, for more than a decade was a site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts, was Vice President of the League of Resident Theatres, and was two-term Chair of the Seattle Arts Commission. Recognized with Seattles Distinguished Citizen Medal, she is an advocate for civic dialogue and public participation and has been dedicated throughout her career to the idea that artistic excellence and community engagement are intrinsically connected. Penn previously served as an arts executive for Intiman Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre and began her career at Washington, DCs Arena Stage, Living Stage Theatre Company. Penn currently teaches Labor Relations in the graduate program at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, MemberAmanda Phingbodhipakkiya is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community builder based in Brooklyn, New York. Born in Atlanta to Thai and Indonesian immigrants, her practice spans sculpture, textile, large-scale murals, participatory installation, and public art campaigns. Her work examines the unseen labor of women, amplifies AAPI narratives, and affirms the depth, resilience, and beauty of communities of color. Phingbodhipakkiyas art has reclaimed space in museums and galleries, at protests and rallies, on buildings, highway tunnels, subway corridors, and on the cover of TIME magazine. She has been artist-in-residence with the NYC Commission on Human Rights and created art in collaboration with the US Embassy in Thailand. She is a 2023 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow in Visual Arts and is building community archives of AAPI stories as part of civic practice residencies with the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and Poster House. Her work has been acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of the City of New York, the Museum of Chinese in America, and the Library of Congress.

Arnold Rampersad, MemberArnold Rampersad is Sara Hart Kimball Professor Emeritus in the Humanities at Stanford University. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, he earned his Ph.D. in English and American Literature at Harvard. He also taught at the University of Virginia, Rutgers, Columbia, and Princeton. His books include The Art and Imagination of W.E.B. Du Bois; The Life of Langston Hughes (2 vols.); Days of Grace: A Memoir, co-authored with Arthur Ashe; Jackie Robinson: A Biography; and Ralph Ellison: A Biography. His edited volumes include The Oxford Anthology of African-American Poetry; Complete Poems of Langston Hughes; and, as co-editor, Selected Letters of Langston Hughes.

From 2003 to 2006 he served as Senior Associate Dean for the Humanities at Stanford. Winner in 1986 of the National Book Critics Circle Award in biography and autobiography, he was later a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in biography and, in 2007, the National Book Award in non-fiction prose for his biography of Ralph Ellison. He won fellowships from the MacArthur Foundation (1991-1996), the J.S. Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the ACLS. Princeton University awarded him its Howard T. Behrman Medal for distinction in the Humanities. In 2011, he received the National Humanities Medal from President Obama at the White House. Harvard awarded him its Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Medal in 2014. He holds honorary doctorates from Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and the University of the West Indies, among other schools. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

Shonda Rhimes, MemberShonda Rhimes is an award-winning television creator, producer, and author, as well as the CEO of the global media company Shondaland. Rhimes is the first woman to create three television dramas Greys Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal that have achieved the 100-episode milestone. In 2017, Rhimes shifted the entertainment industrys business model when she left network television for an unprecedented agreement for Shondaland to exclusively produce streaming content in partnership with Netflix. Bridgerton, Shondalands first scripted series with the streamer, has become a worldwide franchise with seasons one and two of the show holding top spots among English language programming for Netflix. Rhimes broadened her companys content landscape when she launched the culture website Shondaland.com in partnership with Hearst Digital Media. More recently, she launched Shondaland Audio in partnership with iHeart Radio to produce podcast content. Shes a New York Times best-selling author for her memoir Year of Yes and has built multi-platform partnerships with such leading brands as Dove, Masterclass, Microsoft, and Mattel. Rhimes has been included three times in the TIME 100 list of most influential people and her work has been celebrated with numerous awards including induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Kimberly Richter Shirley, MemberKimberly Richter Shirley is a retired attorney and certified public accountant whose professional career specialized in providing legal and financial expertise to not-for-profit organizations and startup companies. Shirley is a trustee of the Seattle Art Museum, the Tate Americas Foundation, and the University of Washington Foundation and is a former trustee of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. She is a member of the National Gallery of Art Collectors Committee, the Tate North American Acquisitions Committee, the University of Washington Henry Art Gallery Advisory Council, and the Wellesley College Presidents Advisory Council. Shirley and her husband Jon live in Medina, Washington and actively support arts, education, and human service organizations. Together they are committed collectors of modern and contemporary art with an emphasis on sculpture. Shirley received her Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College and her Juris Doctor from the University of Puget Sound School of Law.

Horacio Sierra, MemberHoracio Sierra is an educator, journalist, activist, and creative writer. His research on English and Spanish Renaissance literature has been funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the U.S. Department of Education, and the University of Texas. As a tenured English professor at Bowie State University, Marylands oldest HBCU, he has created in-person and online courses such as Graphic Novels, Studies in Popular Music, Queer Cultural Studies, Shakespeare & Film, and U.S. Hispanic Literature. The University System of Maryland awarded him their Excellence in Teaching Award for his commitment to experiential education.

Sierras work as a theatre and literary critic has been published in The Miami Herald, Comparative Drama, and Theater Journal. His editorials on topics such as the importance of a humanities education have been published in The Washington Post, The Hartford Courant, and The Baltimore Sun. His poems exploring the intersections of history, geography, and identity have been published in The William & Mary Review, Saw Palm, and Gulf Stream Magazine. As a Miami native with strong ties to his familys Cuban and Spanish heritage, Sierra is President of the Cuban American Democrats, Director of the Sierra Family Scholarship, and has provided college application workshops for his alma mater, Miami Coral Park Senior High. He is also an Executive Board Member of the South Atlantic Modern Language Association. Sierra earned his BS from the University of Miami and his PhD from the University of Florida. He lives in Miami with his husband, Dallas Clay Sierra.

Anna Deavere Smith, MemberAnna Deavere Smith is a writer and actress. She is credited with having created a new form of theater. Her plays, sometimes called docudramas, focus on contemporary issues from multiple points of view and are composed from excerpts of hundreds of interviews. Plays, and films based on them, include Fires in the Mirror and Twilight: Los Angeles, both of which dealt with volatile race events in the 1990s; Let Me Down Easy, about the U.S. health care system; and Notes from the Field, which focused on the school-to-prison pipeline. Her work as an actress on television includes Inventing Anna, The West Wing, Nurse Jackie, and Black-ish. Mainstream movies include Philadelphia, The American President, and Rachel Getting Married. President Obama awarded Smith the National Endowment for the Humanities Medal. She was the 2015 Jefferson Lecturer. She is the recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, several Obie awards, two Drama Desk awards, the George Polk Career Award in Journalism, and the Deans Medal from the Stanford University School of Medicine. She was a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama and nominated for two Tony Awards. Shes a University Professor at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts. She has several honorary doctorate degrees including those from Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Spelman College, Prairie View University, Juilliard, and Oxford.

Joe Walsh, MemberMulti-Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and producer, Kennedy Center Honoree and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Joe Walsh has entertained the masses and captivated his peers for more than five decades. His classic hits like Funk #49, Walk Away, Lifes Been Good, Rocky Mountain Way, Life in the Fast Lane, In The City, Ordinary Average Guy, and Analog Man embody his American origin story, guitar genius, and lyrical wit. Born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Ohio and New Jersey, Walshs musical journey began with the Cleveland-based James Gang in 1969, continued with his trio Barnstorm and then took off with the launch of his 12-album solo career in 1973. In 1975, Walsh was recruited into the Eagles who would become the highest selling American band in history and one of the top touring acts in the world to this day selling out stadiums and arenas into 2023.

Walsh has honorary doctorates in music from Kent State University and the Berklee College of Music and has been celebrated for his charitable works in the fields of music education, recovery from addiction and womens health and safety. In 2017, Walsh founded VetsAid, an annual music festival that brings together musicians and audiences of all backgrounds to raise funds for veterans and their families. A Gold Star son himself, Walsh brought the festival most recently to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio with guests Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails, and The Black Keys. He has, to date, disbursed $2.7 million in grants to veterans services groups nationwide.

Kerry Washington, MemberEmmy-winning, SAG and Golden Globe-nominated actor, director, and producer Kerry Washington is a versatile and fearless multi-hyphenate who has received high acclaim for her work in film, television, and theater. Washington is a lifelong advocate and activist, dedicated to using her voice to fight for justice for all communities. She is focused on building a more equitable democracy and in service of this goal, founded Influence Change (IC) and the Vision Into Power Cohort. IC is a strategic initiative that partners with high impact non-profit organizations to increase voter turnout. The VIP Cohort, launched in partnership with Movement Voter Fund, provides ten grassroots organizations with the resources and knowledge to build civic engagement in their communities through storytelling and collective action.

In 2022, Washington was honored as one of TIME Magazines 2022 Women of The Year. She has been involved with many social and political causes, including her service on President Obamas Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She is also Co-Chair of former First Lady Michelle Obamas When We All Vote campaign and the Black Voices for Black Justice Fund, an organization funding Black leaders who are helping to build a more equitable America. In 2021, Washington and several other industry leaders co-founded The Roybal School of Film and Television Production, in partnership with the LAUSD. It is a magnet school aiming to drive transformational change across the entertainment industry and provides education and practical training in the arts and sciences of filmmaking to marginalized communities.

Pauline Yu, MemberPauline Yu is President Emerita of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), a non-profit federation of 79 scholarly organizations which she led for sixteen years. ACLS has been the preeminent representative of American scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences since 1919 and has provided competitive fellowships and grants to individual scholars in those fields since 1926. Yu was previously dean of humanities at the University of California, Los Angeles for ten years, founding chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of California, Irvine, and professor at Columbia University and the University of Minnesota. She received her B.A. in History and Literature from Harvard University, her M.A. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Stanford University, and holds five honorary degrees. In 2021, she received the award for Distinguished Service to the Profession from the Association of Departments of Foreign Languages of the Modern Language Association.

Yu has been elected to membership in two honorary societies, the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She serves on the Academys board of directors and is also a trustee of the Institute for Advanced Study. In addition, she is a member of the board of several philanthropic organizations, including The Henry Luce Foundation and The Teagle Foundation. She is the author or editor of five books and has published widely on topics in Chinese poetry, comparative literature, and the humanities.

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President Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and ... - The White House

ChatGPT is already making its mark on the travel industry, with Expedia recently integrating the AI chatbot into its app.

We recently put the bot to the test by asking it to plan a no-expenses spared two-week holiday around Europe. The result was pretty disappointing. The carbon-intensive itinerary would have meant spending most of the holiday at airports, on flights and packed like sardines into over-touristed sights.

So, we decided to see if the bot could plan us a more interesting trip that wouldnt blow our carbon budget. Heres the ultimate, budget- and eco-friendly weekend break in Europe, according to ChatGPT.

In case you haven't heard of it, ChatGPT is a popular chatbot developed by OpenAI. Users ask it questions and it uses masses of data to give a unique, highly personalised response.

We asked the bot where we should go for an environmentally friendly trip in Europe. It came up with five suggestions.

ChatGPT hailed Copenhagen, Denmark, for its ambitious goal to become the first net zero capital by 2025.

It suggested Costa Brava in Spain as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and it lauded the Azores in Portugal for their sustainable development initiatives.

It broadly recommended Norway for its strong commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly accommodations.

But the destination that stood out most was Amsterdam.

The Netherlands capital is on a mission to clean up its image - so what better place to go for a clean, green weekend trip?

Amsterdam is very bike-friendly and has a great public transportation system. You can visit sustainable attractions such as the Eco-Supperclub and the Organic Food Farmers Market, ChatGPT suggested.

The city also topped Schroders European Sustainable Cities Index 2021 for its strong environmental policies - though ChatGPT failed to mention this point.

Next we decided to test ChatGPTs attention to detail when it comes to travel planning. We asked it to plan a budget- and eco-friendly weekend in Amsterdam, travelling from London.

Leaving no room for interpretation, we asked Please can you plan me the most sustainable, budget friendly trip to Amsterdam from 26 to 28 May 2023?

Please include the most sustainable and budget friendly transport, sustainable accommodation, sustainable activities and sustainable meals or sustainable restaurants, including costs for everything.

It told us that the train is the most sustainable mode of travel, producing approximately 8.5 kg CO2e per passenger for a one-way trip based on data from the International Energy Agency (information gleaned from a second question about emissions).

However, it recommended a train and ferry combination as a cheaper way of getting from London to Amsterdam.

Producing around 10 kg CO2e per passenger for a one-way trip, this mode of transport is still significantly greener than flying, which produces approximately 117 kg, according to data from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Settling on the train and ferry option, we asked ChatGPT how to go about it.

Here are the instructions it gave:

Since were travelling on a budget, we also asked the chatbot to include costs.

By booking in advance, you can save money on train and ferry tickets, it told us - very insightful.

For example, you can take a Greater Anglia train from London Liverpool Street Station to Harwich International Station for around 15 [17] per person, and then take the Stena Line ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland for around 50 [57] per person. Finally, take a train from the Hook of Holland to Amsterdam Central Station for around 10 [11] per person.

While the prices it gave are definitely on the low side, the journey checks out and could be done in a day in around 11 hours.

For accommodation, ChatGPT recommended Cocomama hostel, a certified eco-friendly hostel located in the city centre.

A bed in a shared dorm room starts at around 30 [34] per night, or you can book a private room starting at around 75 [85] per night.

Again, the prices are optimistically low, though ChatGPT did estimate slightly higher prices in our final budget. Also, the property is booked up for our dates - and many in the future.

That said, the property has decent reviews, is cheaper than most places in the city, and its green credentials check out.

According to its website, it offers bike hire and prides itself on using pre-loved furniture. It also has natural stone heating, water-efficient toilets and showers, double glazed windows, a grass roof for eco isolation, an environmentally friendly water system and waste recycling.

They also have a cat, so we're sold.

ChatGPT also gave its recommendations for sustainable activities that allow you to explore the city while minimising your environmental impact.

Here are the suggestions it gave:

This isnt exactly an inspired suggestion but it makes sense for an eco visit on a budget.

The Cuyp frequently tops the list of markets to visit in Amsterdam, though thats not a reason to swerve it. Its also right around the corner from Cocomama hostel.

The Noordermarkt offers everything from organic food to antiques, making it a decent idea for an eco shopping trip.

While Vondelpark is the citys most popular, it's also great for visiting on a budget - especially in summer when you might stumble upon a free open-air concert. Oosterpark is known as a bird watching spot, so another reasonable suggestion from ChatGPT.

In a city packed with vegan, organic and farm to table restaurants, its tricky to choose where to spend your mealtimes.

ChatGPT turned our basic request for sustainable meals or restaurants into a decent list of spots offering locally sourced, organic food.

These included:

With great reviews and a seasonal plant to plate approach - the restaurant grows 300 varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits on site - this seems like a good suggestion, albeit a little pricey.

Again with excellent reviews, this vegan spot is primed for Instagrammers with its neon signs and graffiti-licked walls. It also has four outposts around the city.

This arty cafe is located in A Lab, a creative community that takes over Shells former lab - at least its being put to greener use now.

The total estimated cost given to us by ChatGPT was definitely on the optimistic side - especially since we were planning little more than a month ahead.

Total: 245-410 (278-465) per person.

However, if we could even come close to that, it would be a pretty pocket-friendly visit to one of Europes most expensive cities.

Some of the suggestions could have been more original, but all in all were pretty pleased with the result of our second foray into chatbot trip planning.

More:

We asked ChatGPT to plan the ultimate cheap eco weekend in Europe - Euronews

The functional food will be created in cooperation with the company Pro-Bio, one of the largest producers of organic food in the Czech Republic. Photo credit: MENDELU.

Brno, Apr 13 (BD) Scientists from the Faculty of Agriculture at Mendel University are carrying out tests on a closed farming cycle. In cooperation with a Czech producer of organic food, the experts are developing a new functional food. They plan to turn the waste from the production into a soil substrate and part of the feed for pigs or poultry, thereby returning nutrients to the environment.

We would like to help change peoples thinking. We want to offer farmers a simple and affordable farming model that they could be inspired by, said Sylvie Skalikov, head of the project, from the facultys Institute of Animal Nutrition and Fodder Farming.

The functional food will be created in cooperation with the company Pro-Bio, one of the largest producers of organic food in the Czech Republic. The company farms ecologically on more than 350 hectares of land in Velk Hostrdky, near Beclav.

The food includes pastries, various snacks, porridge and granola, explained Skalikov. We will try different cereals and legumes. The basis can be organic buckwheat, barley, rye, peas or lentils.

The fermentation process is supposed to ensure the nutritional enrichment of the final product. For us, it is a key part of production to create, with the help of microorganisms, a raw material that will have a greater representation of proteins or minerals from a common raw material, said Skalikov. At the same time, thanks to fermentation, these nutrients will be better absorbed by the body.

All of Pro-Bios produce is certified as organic. Mill waste from the processing of cereals and pulses can therefore be safely transformed by scientists into feed for farm animals or returned to the soil as a source of nutrients.

Currently, up to a third of the total amount of raw material ends up as waste during the mill processing.

We are concerned with how to reuse it. Not every raw material will be suitable for feed or as a substrate for the return of nutrients to the soil, said Skalikov.

In the case of feed for pigs or poultry, the main goal is to ensure that the nutrients from the waste are well digestible for the animals. Mill waste is currently being fed to animals. It is not just being thrown away. But the problem is that it is mostly made up of fibre, which is only digested to a limited extent when passing through the digestive system, explained Skalikov.

Experts will therefore try to modify the fibre with the help of microorganisms, so that it is converted into proteins and the waste would thus become a protein component of feed. The farmer would then not have to feed so much soy, for example, which is a common protein feed, but which leaves a relatively significant carbon footprint, she added.

The unused remainder of the raw materials could subsequently be directed to ecologically managed fields. Even with compost, it takes time for the fibre to break down. Our vision is to do it in a somewhat controlled manner and speed up the decomposition process, said Skalikov. Scientists want to combine the resulting substrate with microorganisms that improve the root system and the overall condition of cultivated plants, and in this way return nutrients to the soil and also improve the yield of crops.

See the rest here:

MENDELU Researchers Turn Waste From Food Production Into Soil ... - Brno Daily

I am a hunter.

That statement might earn me a dirty look, even a request to leave the party, immediately! Much depends upon the company you keep and where you reside. We lived in England for many years, a country with a long tradition of wealthy landowners on expensive horses hunting foxes with packs of dogs. Surveys showed more than 80% of the population was anti-hunting, so I kept a low profile.

Arriving in Maine 15 years ago was a bit of a shock. On my first visit to a doctors office, a friendly young receptionist asked me if I was ready for hunting season! She launched into a discussion of a planned duck hunt and the coming deer season. It took me a few minutes to recover my equilibrium, feeling like I had landed on a different planet. The ensuing years have convinced me that Maine is a good place for a hunter.

I have written for the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust for more than a decade and more recently for the Anchor, focused on wildlife and the natural world. Despite encouragement from some readers, I have rarely mentioned hunting in print, mostly out of respect for those who may not support the activity for reasons of their own. Recent questions from readers and a discussion with Anchor Editor J.W. Oliver prompted me to lay out the case for hunting. The opinions shared here are mine, and I know some will not agree with me.

When did I begin to hunt? In the 1950s, most people in rural areas were in close communion with the land through farming, and harvesting game was common. My father and uncles loved hunting for rabbits, pheasants, squirrels and white-tailed deer. They were hardworking, blue-collar veterans of World War II and a day afield with younger hunters was cherished by all. It was understood that you skipped school on opening day and the game that fell to our guns landed on the dinner table with pride of place.

Why do I still hunt? That is complicated, like asking a lifelong sailor why she would spend so much money on her rarely used sailboat, or asking a fourth-generation lobsterman why he goes to sea in the face of economic hardships. Many of the passions in our lives are instinctive, so deeply ingrained in our makeup that we rarely question why we persist.

Paleontologists note that humans are hunters to the bottom of our ancient DNA. Evolving in a dangerous world, stalked by saber-toothed tigers and cave bears, men of relatively small stature and light musculature were forced to learn how to hunt for protein and protection. Fortunately, we were blessed with superior brains and the ability to develop tools for an advantage over other predators in the competition for food. Some people opposed to hunting have suggested that there is no reason for people in developed countries to harvest game animals, that enlightened hunters should evolve to focus on protecting animals. This line of thought ignores many realities of todays natural world.

The arrival of Europeans on our shores meant trouble for animal populations. Advancements in firearms technology and gunpowder resulted in enhanced weapons, allowing market hunters to harvest huge numbers of animals with little regard for their populations. We all know about the decimation of species like the American bison and the passenger pigeon, but fortunately, saner minds finally said enough was enough. Farsighted leaders and sportsmen like Theodore Roosevelt, George Shiras and Gifford Pinchot pushed Congress to pass legislation like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 that regulated hunting seasons and set bag limits, laying the groundwork for what is now known as the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

Looking back, we can see the impact of these changes. Americas elk herd rose from 41,000 in 1907 to more than 1 million today. Decimated waterfowl populations recovered to an estimated 44 million. Wild turkeys flourished from 100,000 to more than 7 million today. In each case, these recoveries were heavily supported with funds raised by hunting-related conservation organizations: the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Today there are dozens of similar organizations boosting ruffed grouse, mule deer, white-tailed deer, American woodcock, wild sheep, and pheasants. The groups work closely with state and federal agencies, including Maines Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other partners include nongame organizations like the National Wildlife Federation, Maine Audubon, land trusts and forest owners. These coalitions recognize that leveraging biological data, citizen science, public advocacy and lobbying can cut through red tape to complete major land conservation and habitat restoration projects that benefit a myriad of wildlife species, not just game animals.

Hunting participation was falling until the pandemic stimulated interest, resulting in 15 million licensed hunters in America. Each year, national sales of licenses and permits generate more than $900 million, most of it directed to state fish and game departments. Maines sales raise nearly $8 million. Annual fundraising by wildlife conservation groups adds another $450 million.

The biggest source of funding for modern wildlife management results from legislation pushed by sportsmen, the 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act. This created an 11% excise tax on sales of firearms, ammunition and fishing gear, plus 10% on handguns. The funds collected, nearly $1 billion last year, are returned to the states to match proceeds from license sales.

These dollars are critical to maintaining professional staffs in states like Maine, and for managing state-owned recreational land, since most legislatures provide little funding to fish and game departments. Sales of federal duck stamps fund the acquisition and management of wetlands, with more than $1.1 billion raised since 1934.

Who are these hunters? That varies widely, with California having less than 1% of its population going afield and 11% of Mainers holding hunting licenses. The hunting fraternity is aging, with 60% of hunters over 45 years old, jeopardizing ongoing funding for scientific wildlife management. As more people live in (sub)urban communities, they become disconnected from wild areas. There are too many distractions, including video games and social media. In response, hunter groups and state agencies have launched several initiatives to increase participation, for example, introducing novices and young people to hunting, expanded seasons, lower license fees, online hunter safety training programs, mentoring, and youth shooting clubs.

The fastest-growing segment in hunting is women of all ages. Breaking into a male-dominated activity, women are motivated by the challenge and independence of shooting and hunting. The growing demand for local foods plays a part, along with interest in low-fat, low-cholesterol organic food without growth hormones, antibiotics, and preservatives. Young people advocate for reducing beef, pork, and poultry production because of the climate effects of industrial-scale animal husbandry. In just 10 years, thanks to groups like Maine Women Hunters on Facebook, women have risen from 10% to 15% of Maines licensees.

With 154,000 resident hunters in Maine, plus 33,000 nonresidents, there is a huge amount of money spent in pursuit of the harvest. A recent study estimated a total spend of $220 million for hunting in Maine, with an additional financial impact of $140 million around the state. That includes food, lodging, guides, equipment, fuel, souvenirs and sporting gear, enough to support more than 4,000 jobs.

Humans have caused huge imbalances in the natural world, thanks to population expansion and unbridled development. When we intervene in the environment, however well intentioned, it can result in overpopulation and societal problems. When the popularity of fur crashed in the 1980s, raccoons, foxes, skunks and coyotes proliferated, triggering the spread of rabies in the northeastern U.S. (and a harsh death for millions of animals). Excess numbers of white-tailed deer result in thousands of highway accidents and the spread of deadly tick-borne diseases. Despite ongoing efforts to increase the harvest of snow geese in recent decades, their population continues to soar, causing significant damage to fragile habitats in Arctic regions. In most cases, the only effective management strategy available to wildlife professionals is to increase legal hunting opportunities.

Friends have asked if I see a conflict between a love for wildlife and hunting or fishing, especially when I devote so much energy to habitat improvement. This is an issue that every sportsman confronts, particularly when harvesting a creature they have enjoyed watching in other settings. Taking the life of any creature is something that should give a hunter pause, whether for religious, moral or practical reasons. Many novices struggle with the idea of pulling the trigger on their first deer or grouse.

Humans tend to ascribe our own characteristics to nonhuman species, in what is referred to as anthropomorphism. If you find that hard to accept, consider how most people treat their dogs, talking to them, spoiling them, showering them with love, and treating them as full members of the family. It is easy to assume that animals think as we do, react as we do, and experience the same emotions that we experience.

A few presumably well-meaning people have advocated that some animals deserve the same legal rights as humans, while most folks find this ridiculous. One sticking point is where you draw the line there are far more advocates for fur seals and polar bears than there are for rattlesnakes and black widow spiders. You can witness this conflict in the ethical debates about boiling live lobsters, neutering dogs, spring bear hunts, and so on.

I believe in legally harvesting edible species for the table. Game animals, plants and seafood are renewable resources, some of them short-lived. For example, ruffed grouse might live an average of just one year. Every creature on Earth is potential prey for a predator, and all our deaths are certain. Our remains will either nourish predators and scavengers or be returned to the earth for the benefit of other species.

I dispatch game in the most humane manner possible, while understanding that the manner of death for most creatures in nature is anything but quick and humane. I treasure my ability to hunt across America, unlike in so many other countries. We raised our family on game meat and friends relish a tasty meal of goose breasts or moose steaks in our home.

Animal rights groups may attempt to convince the public that hunting is a cruel blood sport pursued by heartless gun nuts with no regard for wildlife. They give the impression that hunters do little for wildlife but tromp through the wild, killing anything that moves. This argument ignores decades of scientific data from the field and the professional opinions of most wildlife biologists.

I freely acknowledge there are bad actors among the hunting community and that some aspects of the sport are open to disagreement. But I know hunting is 98% preparation, scouting, wildlife viewing, camp life, exercising and hard work plus, if you are lucky, about 2% killing. During deer season last fall, I hunted more than 30 days for roughly 200 hours and did not harvest a deer. Yet I call the season a success because I enjoyed so much time afield with friends.

Hunters have options for their harvest if they end up with excess meat. Traditionally we share the bounty with family and friends. Since 1996 in Maine, you may donate meat to food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Under national programs like Hunters for the Hungry, you may take your harvest to registered meat processors who are paid to cut and package the product to state specifications. Each year, millions of pounds of nutritious food are donated through these programs.

Hunting has a rich tradition in Maine, especially in rural communities. Families and friends plan months ahead for their time in camp, and drawing a moose tag is cause for celebration. We have open seasons for at least one species from August through February, plus May for turkey hunting. Surveys have shown that more than 90% of Maine residents are positive or neutral on the continuation of hunting. This should not change if the hunting community continues to pursue wild game in an ethical and legal manner, respecting the rights of landowners and the sensibilities of the general public.

Ed Robinsons latest book, Nature Notes from Maine Vol. II: Puffins, Black Bears, Raccoons & More, is available from the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. All profits support HHLTs conservation and education efforts.

Read more:

Harpswell Naturalist: The case for hunting - The Harpswell Anchor

Healthier Choices Management Corp

HOLLYWOOD, FL, April 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthier Choices Management Corp. (OTC Pink: HCMC) announced today that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of HCMC on two separate appeals it had filed in its patent infringement action against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. pending in the district court for the Northern District of Georgia.

In the first appeal, HCMC appealed the ruling of the District Court dismissing HCMCs patent infringement action and denying HCMCs motion to amend its pleading. In the second appeal, HCMC appealed the District Courts award of attorneys fees to Philip Morris. In its decisions today, the Federal Circuit ruled for HCMC by reversing both of those decisions and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings.

Jeff Holman, CEO of HCMC, had this to say, We are gratified to have won our appeals and now have the opportunity to resume pursuing our infringement claims in the District Court against Philip Morris for its IQOS device.

Mr. Holman concluded, For the sake of clarity, the Appellate Courts decisions both reinstate our infringement claim and also cancels the attorneys fees award previously granted to Philip Morris in this case. We are looking forward to having our day in court.

The case is Healthier Choices Management Corp., v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., Philip Morris Products S.A., case no. 2022-1268. The full opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit can be found on HCMCs website at https://www.healthiercmc.com/s/2023-04-12_HCMC_v_PM_Appellate_Decision.pdf

AboutHealthier Choices Management Corp.

Healthier Choices Management Corp. (www.hcmc1.com) is a holding company focused on providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition and other lifestyle alternatives.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary HCMC Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, the Company manages and intends to expand its intellectual property portfolio.

Story continues

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company operates:

Adas Natural Market, a natural and organic grocery store offering fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins, and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items (www.Adasmarket.com)

Paradise Health & Nutritions three stores that likewise offer fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items, (www.ParadiseHealthDirect.com)

Mother Earths Storehouse, a two-store organic and health food and vitamin chain in New Yorks Hudson Valley, has been in existence for over 40 years. (www.MotherEarthStorehouse.com)

Greens Natural Foods eight stores in New York and New Jersey, offering a selection of 100% organic produce and all-natural, non-GMO groceries & bulk foods; a wide selection of local products; an organic juice and smoothie bar; a fresh foods department, which offers fresh and healthy grab & go foods; a full selection of vitamins & supplements; as well as health and beauty products (www.greensnaturalfoods.com)

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, the Company operates:

Licensing agreements for Healthy Choice Wellness Centers located at the Casbah Spa and Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Boston Direct Health in Boston, MA and Green Care Medical Services in Chicago, IL.

These centers offer multiple vitamin drip mixes and intramuscular shots for clients to choose from that are designed to help boost immunity, fight fatigue and stress, reduce inflammation, enhance weight loss, and efficiently deliver antioxidants and anti-aging mixes. Additionally, there are IV vitamin mixes and shots for health, beauty, and re-hydration.(www.HealthyChoiceWellness.com)

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy U Wholesale, the Companysells vitamins and supplements, as well as health, beauty, and personal care products on its websitewww.TheVitaminStore.com.

Additionally, the Company markets its patented Q-Unitand Q-Cuptechnology. Information on these products and the technology is available on the Companys website atwww.theQcup.com.

Forward Looking Statements.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or otherwise. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are based on managements estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update these statements. Forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections or estimates of revenue, income, or loss, exit costs, cash flow needs and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, expansion or restructuring plans, including our recent exit from, and winding down of our wholesale distribution operations. In addition, when used in this release, the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, and plans and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.

Factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in demand for our products, the introduction of new products, our ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of our liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, and other information that may be detailed from time-to-time in our filings with the SEC.

Contact Information:

Healthier Choices Management Corp. 3800 North 28TH Way, #1 Hollywood, FL 33020305-600-5004Email: ir@hcmc1.com

Original post:

HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP. ANNOUNCES SUCCESS IN ITS APPEALS OF THE RULINGS IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT ACTION AGAINST PHILIP MORRIS - Yahoo Finance

Theres no doubt, companion animals have become a significant part of most Americans lives. In the late 1980s, more than half of US households had a pet (which was still a significant amount) but in the decades since this has jumped to around 70 percent of households.

For most people (69 million, to give Forbes estimate), their companion animal is a dog, while many others (around 45 million) choose to share their home with cats. But whether you live in a feline- or canine-friendly home (or youre more of a rabbit, gerbil, or guinea pig person), theres one thing most of us pet lovers have in common: we love to spend money on our animals.

In fact, its estimated that over the course of 2021, Americans spent more than $123 billion on their furry (or non-furry) friends. And honestly, it makes sense that we want to treat and take good care of them. Animals give us so much in terms of companionship, love, and energy.

If you want to spoil your companion animal, then one of the best places is, of course, Petco. From vegan treats and eco-friendly toys to everyday necessities for your pets welfare (like biodegradable poop bags), here are our top product picks from the animal-focused retailer.

Chuckit!

If you share your home with a very energetic pooch, then you likely already know that a simple bouncy ball is a great investment. Fun fact: research suggests this is because the ball helps to stimulate a dogs prey drive! If youre looking to add to your canines collection, then this ball from Chuckit! is a great choice. Its long-lasting, bouncy (incredibly important), and made with 40 percent recycled rubber. Plus, it comes in plastic-free packaging.Check it out

Wild One

If youre picking up after your companion animal using bags, then its a good idea to invest in options that dont negatively impact the planet. Plastic can take centuries to biodegrade, after all. These poop bags from Wild One are durable and thick, but because theyre made with compostable corn starch, they will biodegrade after use.Check it out

Halo

Whether youre looking to supplement your poochs diet with some plant-based options or youre going fully animal-free, this kelp-based dry food from Halo Holistic is rich in all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your dog needs. Research suggests that it is possible for dogs to follow a completely vegan diet, but that said, if youre looking to make dramatic changes to your pets food, its a good idea to consult with a vet first.Check it out

Leaps & Bounds

Its no secret: most cats love catnip. But not all of them. If your cat doesnt respond to catnip, then they may well be a silver vine-lover. Evidence suggests that the plant, which naturally grows in mountainous regions in eastern Asia, also works as a cat stimulant. Treat your kitty to some of the best in the business with this blend by Leaps & Bounds, which is made with organic ingredients. But again, before introducing anything new to your companion animal, consider consulting your vet first.Check it out

Halo

As well as dried options, Halo Holistic also offers vegan canned dog food. So if youve done your research and you know your dog will respond well to plant-based options, consider introducing them to this totally meat-free dinner, which is made with peas and chickpeas.Check it out

CookiePal

Whats good enough for a human is good enough for a dog, believes CookiePal. Thats why these healthy treats are made with organic, human-grade turmeric and ginger, two ingredients associated with anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus, theyre rich in protein and omega-6, and theyre even encased in biodegradable packaging.Check it out

Buckle-Down

If youd prefer to avoid giving your companion animal a collar made with cowhide leather, then Petco has plenty of vegan collars, like this Disney-inspired option, for example. If Disney isnt your thing, there are also styles inspired by DC Comics and the TV show Friends.Check it out

Because Animals

There isnt much research out there that supports cats going completely vegan. But that said, it is still possible to supplement their diets with healthy plant-based treats, like these sprinkles from Because Animals. According to the brand, the sprinkles, which are made with seaweed and organic fruits and vegetables, are not only tasty, but they may help your kittys gut health too. If your cat hasnt tried plant-based treats before, or youre not sure how they will respond, consider giving your vet a call before purchasing.Check it out

Burts Bees

If youve got a particularly hairy companion animal, then you know its important to make sure their fur doesnt get tangled or matted with a good brush. This one from Burts Bees (yep, the brand has a whole pet range, too), is made with recycled materials, including old plastic collected from beaches and waterways.Check it out

Because Animals

Peanut butter isnt just loved by humans, many of our pooches cant get enough of it either. These nutritious and delicious noochies from Because Animals feature the popular nutty ingredient, alongside nutritional yeast (aka nooch), as well as bananas, ancient grains, flaxseeds, applesauce, and coconut oil.Check it out

Glad for Pets

As youll know if youve ever tried to toilet train a puppy, training pads are necessary while theyre still getting used to doing their business outside. But plastic? Thats not totally compulsory. These training pads are absorbent and leak-proof, but they also help to cut down on waste by using bamboo tissue as the key material.Check it out

Clif Pet

Your pooch wont be able to get enough of this plant-based jerky from Clif Pet. Made with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients, its good for their health, but its also pretty delicious too (which makes it a great training tool). There are a handful of flavors to choose from, including Pumpkin and Apple, Sweet Potato and Blueberry, and Butternut Squash and Cranberry.Check it out

Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.

Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.

The rest is here:

How to Shop at Petco: The Best Vegan, Organic, and Eco-Friendly ... - VegNews

Citric acid Market Research Report Information by Form, Function, Application and Forecast till 2030

The citric acid market refers to the global trade and consumption of citric acid, which is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits and used as an additive in a wide range of products. Citric acid is widely used as a flavor enhancer, preservative, acidulant, and chelating agent in various industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and cleaning products. The citric acid market includes the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of citric acid and its derivatives, such as citrates and citric acid esters. The market is influenced by factors such as consumer demand, regulatory requirements, supply chain dynamics, and technological advancements in the production and application of citric acid. In COVID the market experienced a decline in demand and disruption in the supply chain due to the restrictions on movement and trade. The closure of restaurants, cafes, and other food service outlets reduced the demand for citric acid used in food and beverage processing. the pandemic also created new opportunities for the citric acid market, particularly in the healthcare and cleaning product sectors. Citric acid is used in the production of disinfectants and sanitizers, which saw a surge in demand due to increased hygiene concerns during the pandemic.

Get a Sample Copy of the Citric Acid Market Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1743

Key Players:

Some of the key market players are Tate & Lyle PLC, Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, JUNGBO CHEMICAL CO., LTD., Weifang Ensign Industry Co., Ltd., COFCO Biochemical (Anhui) Co., Ltd., Gadot Biochemical Industries Ltd., Huangshi Xinghua Biochemical Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., and Merck KGaA

Market Segmentation:

The Global Citric Acid market has been segmented into Form, Function, and Application.

Based on the Form, the market has been segmented into Anhydrous, Liquid.

Based on the Function, the market has been segmented into Acidulant, Preservative, Antioxidant, and Flavoring Agent.

Based on the Application, the market has been segmented into [Food & Beverages (Beverages; Bakery & Confectionery; Sweet & Savoury Snacks; Soups, Sauces, and Dressings, RTE & RTC Meals, and Others), Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals, Personal Care, and Others]

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (132 Pages) on Citric Acid: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/citric-acid-market-1743

Regional Analysis:

North America is the largest market for citric acid, owing to the high demand for citric acid in the food and beverage industry, as well as the increasing demand for citric acid in the pharmaceutical industry. The United States is the major consumer of citric acid in this region.

Europe is another major market for citric acid, owing to the presence of a large number of food and beverage manufacturers in the region. The demand for citric acid in Europe is expected to increase due to the growing demand for natural and organic food products.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth in the citric acid market, owing to the increasing demand for citric acid in various industries, such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care. China is the major producer and consumer of citric acid in this region.

Discover More Research Reports on Food, Beverages & Nutrition Industry by Market Research Future:

Propionic Acid Market Research Report: Information by Application [Animal Feed, Food & Beverages (Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy Products, Beverages, Convenience Food, Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products Others), Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Agrochemicals, and Others] and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW) - Forecast till 2030

Global Tartaric Acid Market Research Report: By Type (Natural and Synthetic), Source (Grapes, Tamarind, Maleic Anhydride, and Others), Application (Food & Beverages [Beverages; Bakery & Confectionery; Sweet & Savoury Snacks; Soups, Sauces, and Dressings], Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals, Personal Care, and Others), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, RoW) Forecast till 2030

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

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See the original post:

Citric Acid Market Size 6.28 billion Tons and Growth rate (CAGR) of 5.78% | Forecast Report 2022-2030 - EIN News

NEW YORK, April 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The dairy food marketsize is forecasted to increase by USD114.46 billion from 2022to 2027, at a CAGR of 2.73%, according to the recent market study by Technavio. The growth of the market will be driven by the rising adoption of healthy food habits, accessible distribution channels, and rapid growth in urbanization coupled with increasing consumption of dairy food.Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis of the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. Viewa Sample Report.

Technavio categorizes the global dairy food market Vendor Analysis:

The presence of both global and regional vendors in the global dairy food market accelerates market growth.Technavio has extensively analyzed 15 major vendors, includingAgropur Dairy Cooperative, Albertsons Companies Inc., Arla Foods amba, Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Danone SA, DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH, Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., Glanbia plc, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Kerry Group Plc, Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Nestle SA, Royal FrieslandCampina NV, Saputo Inc., Schreiber Foods Inc., The Kraft Heinz Co., The Kroger Co., and Unilever PLC

Vendor Offerings -

Data about each vendor hasbeen covered in this report. Download the Sample Report

Key Benefits for Industry Players & Stakeholders

Expand operations in the future - To get requisite details, ask for a custom report.

Market Segmentation:

Thisreport extensively coversmarket segmentation by product (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and others), distribution channel (supermarkets, convenience stores, and online), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

Get a holistic overview of the market by industry experts to evaluate and develop growth strategies.Download the Sample

Market Dynamics:

Key Drivers:

Major Trends:

Key Challenges:

To get detailed insights about drives, trends, and challenges, buy the report

What are the key data covered in this Dairy Food Market report?

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Related Reports:

The Dairy Desserts Market is poised to grow by USD977.41 million during 2021-2026.This dairy desserts market forecast reportextensively covers segmentation byproduct (yogurt, cream, and others), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increasing number of product launches is one of the key drivers supporting thedairy desserts market growth.

The dairy ingredients market is estimated to grow at aCAGR of 7.3%between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecasted to increase byUSD29.36 billion.This report extensively coversmarket segmentation by type (milk powders, milk protein concentrates and milk protein isolates, whey ingredients, and others), application (bakery and confectionery, dairy products, infant milk formula, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).Robust demand for organic food products is the primary trend in the market.

Dairy Food Market Scope

Report Coverage

Details

Base year

2022

Historic period

2017-2021

Forecast period

2023-2027

Growth momentum & CAGR

Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.73%

Market growth 2023-2027

USD 114.46 billion

Market structure

Fragmented

YoY growth 2022-2023(%)

2.09

Regional analysis

APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa

Performing market contribution

APAC at 46%

Key countries

US, India, China, Germany, and France

Competitive landscape

Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks

Key companies profiled

Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Albertsons Companies Inc., Arla Foods amba, Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Danone SA, DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH, Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., Glanbia plc, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Kerry Group Plc, Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Nestle SA, Royal FrieslandCampina NV, Saputo Inc., Schreiber Foods Inc., The Kraft Heinz Co., The Kroger Co., and Unilever PLC

Market dynamics

Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period

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Table of contents

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Product

7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Vendor Landscape

12 Vendor Analysis

13 Appendix

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Dairy Food Market size to grow at a CAGR of 2.73% from 2022 to ... - PR Newswire