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Foreign Agricultural Service |
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| The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. The San Jose office works closely with the government and private sector to identify and reduce barriers to trade.
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Highlights
H1N1 Flu Outbreak
April 28,2009
Here is some additional information on the status of the H1N1 influenza (previously called swine flu) outbreak. Please find below links to several useful sites with information on the H1N1 flu outbreak.
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Cochran Fellowship Program Reception
FAS hosts a reception to honor past participants of the Cochran Fellowship Program. Cochran alumni have submitted numerous accounts of how participation in the program has enhanced their careers. The program entails 2-4 weeks of training and orientation in the United States covering a number of agricultural related issues
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U.S. Fast Food Franchises use Biodiesel
FAS San Jose recently visited the Aizenman Group. This company owns the Burger King, Papa Johns, Churches Chicken, and Schlotzsky’s fast food franchises in Costa Rica, and powers its fleet of distribution vehicles on the spent oils from its fast food restaurants. The biodiesel project was conceived in November 2008 and implemented in January 2009 when the company decided to exhibit social responsibility by protecting the environment from some of its oil by-products. (Prior to the biodiesel project the residual oil was hauled away and dumped.)
When the biodiesel project was initiated, the company used a 10/90 percent blend of biodiesel/diesel in two trucks. Very favorable results prompted the company to gradually increase its ratio of biodiesel/diesel. Currently, Aizenman Group runs 10 distribution vehicles on 100 percent biodiesel and expects to have another 5 trucks running on 100 percent biodiesel by the end of May 2009. The company is in the process of evaluating its cost savings on fuel, but they are convinced the biodiesel program’s positive impact on the environment will have considerable long-term value.
Company Background
The Aizenman Group is comprised of automobile dealerships, fast food chains, food and beverage distribution centers, a meat processing facility, and a car rental agency (Avis). Its distribution center carries a number of name brand items such as Kettle, Otis Spunkmeyer, Arizona, Atkins, Jolly Time, Walden Farms, Mrs. Fields, and others. The fast food outlets total 54 stores including: 32 Burger Kings, 11 Papa Johns, 10 Churches Chickens, and 1 Schlotzsky’s. The meat processing facility is USDA approved and exports hamburger patties to the United States.
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FAS Costa Rica Supports California Wine Promotion
Ambassador Cianchette hosted a reception for 13 wine exporters from the United States interested in establishing business relations with distributors and retailers in Costa Rica. FAS Costa Rica worked closely with the California Wine Institute in organizing the visit of the California wine producers. The group is interested in taking advantage of opportunities made available as a result of CAFTA implementation.
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Ambassador Peter Cianchette visited the Standard Fruit (Dole)
January 9, 2009
Ambassador Peter Cianchette visited the Standard Fruit (Dole) banana and pineapple plantations January 9, 2009 to determine challenges this U.S. company faces in doing business in Costa Rica.
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FAS Participates in the U.S. Rice, Beans, and Soy Program in San José, Costa Rica
October 28, 2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at the U.S. Embassy San José, Costa Rica, has been promoting the U.S. Rice, Beans, and Soy program which encourages consumption of these products within the Costa Ricans basic diet. This year, 260 public schools will benefit from this program as teachers and family members are educated on the nutritional value of rice, beans, and soy. For the past four years, the program has been carried out in Costa Rica where 90 thousand children have been fed through donations of 4,786 kilograms of rice, 2,112 kilograms of beans, and 494 kilos of textured soy. The program is funded through the FAS global based initiative, a program designed to pull together the efforts of a large group of its cooperators to focus attention on U.S. agricultural products. Cooperators are U.S. industry-supported marketing organizations which receive FAS market access program funding. (more information)
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FAS Welcomes Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) for Trade Mission to Costa Rican
October 29, 2008
Tthe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Office welcomed a trade mission organized by the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA). Seven U.S. food companies came to San José seeking opportunities to export their products to the Costa Rican market. SUSTA matched each of the U.S. companies up with Costa Rican importers and distributors for one-on-one meetings to facilitate matches between U.S. and Costa Rican firms. FAS provides support to SUSTA for activities like these through the FAS Market Access Program.
FAS Agricultural Counselor Kevin Smith kicked the event off with a welcome address and presentation on the food market before introducing Department of State Economic Chief, Mark Kissel. Mr. Kissel provided an overview of the economic situation in Costa Rica.
The U.S. companies represented were:
- Allied International. Dry foods
- American Trading International, Inc. (ATI) Food and beverage
- BOHM Corp. Beverages and juices
- Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, Inc. Gourmet products
- Mary of Puddin Hill, Inc. Gourmet pastry
- Mayrsohn International Trading Co. Fruits and vegetables
- Multimar Products, Inc. Frozen seafood
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