Industry Awaits the Perfect Storm
– by Caroline J. Beck, Editor
Days after our August edition was released, a class-action lawsuit was filed against a host of olive oil companies and U.S.-based grocery chains, seeking restitution for fraudulent distribution and marketing of adulterated product claiming to be extra virgin olive oil. The action taken by a southern California law firm made the nightly news on the major broadcast networks, front page news in major city newspapers, and blanketed internet news cycles. Anyone who pays close attention to food-related stories, especially health-related updates, has seen the topline details of this suit cross their transom. The result: olive oil finally gets its very own, very high-profile Read more >>
Dan Flynn, From Capitol Building to Capital Building
– as told to Caroline J. Beck
For some twenty years, Dan Flynn worked as a legislative aide to high-profile senators and assemblywoman Patricia Wiggins where his job focused on managing the ins and outs of Sacramento politics. Since 2008, as Executive Director of the UC Davis Olive Center, Flynn’s focus has been on supporting the state’s olive oil industry by undertaking important research studies, offering educational programs and outreach services to an increasing number of California businesses dedicated to making world-class olive oil and growing at an impressive Read more >>
First Cold Press is an Obsolete Term. It’s a FACT.
– by Antoinette Addison
It is not uncommon to see olive oil labels that boast the terms “cold pressed”, “first press” or “first cold press”. It sounds wonderful and evokes a romantic image of an old wooden press with beautiful golden oil flowing out. But what does it really mean? Could it be just another marketing gimmick? To understand if these terms have meaning today, we need to look at where they came from. Let’s go back in time Read more >>
Preserving Summer with Olive Oil
– by Carol Firenze, The Passionate Olive
The days are getting shorter and autumn is moving in. Yet in our gardens and at our local farmers’ markets, we have an abundance of fresh produce. Did you know that you can preserve many of your favorite foods in olive oil and enjoy a bit of summer through the fall and winter? Read more >>
