This is from MEWSMAX.COM, dated Feb. 23 <:(=

NewsMax

When I think about an American family sitting down for a meal, I cannot help but think about the tens of thousands of people whose work went into producing that meal: researchers who discover ways to make our food more nutritious, better-tasting, and safer; farmers and ranchers who raise the huge quantities of plants and animals that nourish us; plant operators who process and package tons of agricultural products daily; food distributors who deliver both domestic and imported products to wholesalers and retailers, and grocery store and restaurant operators who provide us access to an abundant and wide variety of food products.

I must confess, however, that until recently I hadnt thought very much about the connection between the food on our tables and computers. But, as a new millennium approaches, that link is becoming all too clear.

By now, most of us are aware of the Year 2000  or Y2K  problem. As you probably know, computers were typically designed to read an annual date by the last two digits  99 for 1999, for example. That means some computer hardware and software may run into serious problems, recognizing the date January 1, 2000, as January 1, 1900.

We are facing the potential of serious disruption because of this problem. Thats why USDA, along with the rest of the Administration, is hard at work to make sure our internal systems are Y2K compliant. We are also working with our partners in state and local governments who help deliver federal programs to make sure our computers continue to talk to each other and perform the work they are programmed to do.

Now, through the Presidents Council on Year 2000 Conversion, the federal government has undertaken a massive outreach effort to heighten awareness of the Y2K problem.

The Council has asked USDA, working with the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, State, and the Community Futures Trading Commission, to lead the governments awareness campaign to the food supply sector.

The best way we can do that is by forming a partnership with industry groups whose members are involved in food production and distribution.

Our goal: to make sure everyone involved in food supply production, processing, distribution, and sales is aware of their potential Y2K problems, understands the importance of acting now to check their systems, and knows where they can go for help.

Our commitment: to do everything in our power to ensure that the nations food supply pipeline suffers no disruption on January 1, 2000.

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 24, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Sysman. It was only 19 days ago that the Ag Sec (Glickman) was saying to the Y2K Senate Committee Hearing on the Food Supply, that he expected only "minor problems with few delays," and a "relatively low potential for problems." Amazing, innit?

Hey, Greybear, got beans?

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 24, 1999.

I saw this by Glickman on the USDA website months ago. My guess is that this is what he really thinks, and what he said at the hearings a couple weeks ago was his new "official view" after his puppet masters had a little "We don't want people to panic, now do we, Danny?" chat with him.

-- rick blaine (y2kazoo@hotmail.com), February 24, 1999.

I must confess, however, that until recently I hadnt thought very much about the connection between the food on our tables and computers. But, as a new millennium approaches, that link is becoming all too clear.

Hmmm... sounds like the USDA chief just joined the ranks of the GIs. Wonder if the other hearing participants helped him connect the dots?

-- Ruby (ruby@soonerorlater.com), February 24, 1999.

Just to confirm, this was an old quote. As one reference, Hyatt posted this on 12/22/98 as a "Quote of the Week":

Link

Hoffmeister

-- Hoffmeister (hoff_meister@my-dejanews.com), February 24, 1999.

Funny that NewsMax would put yesterday's date on it though. I guess with they figured it would go good with the Senate report. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 24, 1999.

"I must confess, however, that until recently I hadnt thought very much about the connection between the food on our tables and computers ... Now...the federal government has undertaken a massive outreach effort to heighten awareness of the Y2K problem ... The Council has asked USDA, working with the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, State, and the Community Futures Trading Commission, to lead the governments awareness campaign to the food supply sector ... The best way we can do that is by forming a partnership with industry groups whose members are involved in food production and distribution... Our goal: to make sure everyone involved in food supply production, processing, distribution, and sales is aware of their potential Y2K problems, understands the importance of acting now to check their systems, and knows where they can go for help..."

Sounds like they're just starting to think about awareness.
Time for more canned soup & more canned fake turkee!

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), February 24, 1999.

Did anyone else see the comments about food on ABC's World News Tonight? Apparently due to "La Nina," the wheat crop is expected to be cut in half this year, but the corn crop should double.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), February 24, 1999.