5@5: Reviving heritage grains | Backlash for Hunt's non-GMO message

Amber waves of heritage grain: Minnesota's historic grains and seeds are seeing a revival

We know that heritage grains are making a comeback, but do we know why they're so important? Modern strains of wheat, a staple crop in Minnesota, lack genetic diversity, rely on chemicals and are replanted every year, which takes a toll on the soil. Here's a look at how organic farmers, small producers and community gardeners are bringing back the good stuff. Read more at The Growler...

Hunt's responds to 'non-GMO tomato' backlash

The company recently released a video in which it declares that "no matter how far afield you look, you won't find a single genetically modified tomato among our vines." Well, yes, but that's because there aren't any GMO tomato seeds commercially available. Farmers, consumer and scientists took to Hunt's Facebook page, calling the company's message "deceptive" and "fear-mongering." The company responded saying it was "sorry for any confusion" and that it recently updated many of its tomato products to meet Non-GMO Project Verification standards. Read more at Ag Web...

Byte Foods raises $5.5 million for smart vending machines that serve local fare

The founders of Byte previously ran a meal delivery service but were inspired by a smart refrigerated kiosk to change their direction. Byte's employer-focused model places kiosks in offices and refreshes them daily with fresh healthy foods and beverages. Read more at Tech Crunch...

Danish study links fish oil during pregnancy with lower asthma risk in kids

In a study involving 700 women during the third trimester of their pregnancy, the children of women who took 2.4 grams of fish oil capsules saw 30 percent fewer cases of wheezing and asthma before age 5 than the control group. The benefit was especially apparent in babies born to women who, in the beginning, had low blood levels of the lipids found in fish oil. Read more at NPR...

Mountain Rose Herbs buys assets of smaller Eugene herbal products company

The inventory, recipes and production equipment of Terra Firma Botanicals, an herbal extract and elixir company whose founder passed away in November, have been bought by Mountain Rose Herbs, which will also hire Terra Firma's seven employees. Read more at The Register-Guard...