I’m not sure when you have to stop making food prediction for 2009, but today’s list comes from Reuters news service…

A good list highlighted by a entry called, Recession Diets… It makes the case that foods that are bad for you are cheaper to eat… Translation, “we’re all going to start eating crap.”

Put aside the fact that organic potatoes are 99 cents a pound, while a one pound bag of potatoes chips is $2.49… We don’t have to go the lazy person’s route… Plenty of good options out there…

My favorite recession fact to share is that the Safeway just down the street from my office offers every Friday what I call the recession special… They’ll post a notice on the door in either pink lipstick or on a sheet of white paper announcing what you can get on Friday for $5… see photo above

Just off the phone with NPD in New York, the folks that track what we eat and why we eat it…

Their latest findings show the economy and rising food costs are changing the way we eat and losing weight just isn’t the concern it once was…

So what did they come up with…

* Americans are eating more at home…but that doesn’t mean they’re using restaurants less.
* Breakfast bars and yogurt hit a new high at breakfast, but stopping at restaurants for breakfast also hit a new high this year.
* Americans are losing interest in losing weight as dieting hits a new low this year.
* Snacking is not as impulsive as you might think. Most snacks are planned more than six hours earlier. There is a shift in when the most snacking occurs — more in the morning and less in the evening.
* Probiotics is the “new” health topic, as concerns about trans fat fades.
* Winter is becoming a new grilling season.

Let us know in the comments section if you agree…

Thanks to NPD, Harry Balzer and Kim McLynn for the information.

Today is without question my favorite day of the week for news… The majority of the papers in America publish their food section on Wednesday. The New York Times in no exception…

The eye catching headline l’m referring today is …

“Saving a Squirrel by Eating One.”

The story does have a serious side, it goes into great detail about protecting the beloved red squirrel which is having issues with the British gray squirrel…

Here what the NY Times had to say…

Rare roast beef splashed with meaty jus, pork enrobed in luscious crackling fat, perhaps a juicy, plump chicken … these are feasts that come to mind when one thinks of quintessential British food. Lately, however, a new meat is gracing the British table: squirrel.

Though squirrel has appeared occasionally in British cookery, history doesn’t deem it a dining favorite. Even during World War II and the period of austerity that followed, the Ministry of Food valiantly promoted the joys of squirrel soup and pie. British carnivores replied, “No, thank you.”

These days, however, in farmers’ markets, butcher shops, village pubs and elegant restaurants, squirrel is selling as fast as gamekeepers and hunters can bring it in.

“Part of the interest is curiosity and novelty,” said Barry Shaw of Shaw Meats, who sells squirrel meat at the Wirral Farmers Market near Liverpool. “It’s a great conversation starter for dinner parties.”

While some have difficulty with the cuteness versus deliciousness ratio — that adorable little face, those itty-bitty claws — many feel that eating squirrel is a way to do something good for the environment while enjoying a unique gastronomical experience.

Click here for the complete story…

The most famous cheese shop in America is jumping on the recession bandwagon… Murrary’s in New York City is offering a new cheese class titled, The Recession Diet… The class is described this way…

“New year. New president. Same hardships for the economy. During times of crisis, many food-lovers are forced to resort to box wine and cheap brie, but this does not have to happen to you! Associate Wine Specialist at Christie’s, Amanda Crawford, and former wholesale Manager, Nora Singley, will show you how to keep your purse strings tight and your taste buds happy. Chances are you’ll find some new favorites that will remain staples even after the economy (knock on wood) lifts itself up.”

If you’ve never been to Murrary’s, it’s worth the trip..

If your into cheese, but not up for the trip to New York, there’s a new magazine out called, “Culture”… Their website doesn’t offer the magazine’s contents, but you can download their centerfold cheese and get a sneak peak what’s now out in print…

And since I’m always looking for suggestions, I wanted to offer up my own for best cheese… My vote goes the to the Cow Girl Creamery’s Mt. Tam cheese…

As always leave your vote in the comments suggestion and a link back to their site. And if you’re in the cheese business, we would love to hear from you.

More predictions for the food new year, these courtesy of the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, California…

Their list includes cooking at home, chinese food and comfort food.

On the Press Democrat out list, silly martinis and fusion anything.

I’ve always been a fan of these sorts of lists and how they compare to other lists… One thing I noticed missing was more fresh food…

If you have any predictions for the new year, leave them in the comments section… I’m planing to put our reader predictions…

If you want to see the complete list, click here….

Title: 4th Annual Tucson Slow Food & Film Festival
Location: Tuscan, Arizona
Link out: Click here
Description: A weekend festival of new & classic food films, culinary events,
cultural discussions and silent auction
Start Date: 2009-01-08
Start Time: 18:00
End Date: 2009-01-11

If you’re looking for further proof the big trend in 2009 is going to be affordable wines, look no further than the local drug store… Just back from Longs Drugs, one of the big chain stores and the place is teeming with wines listed as $10 and under… Only a few months ago it was packed with award-winning wines starting at $20…

Trader Joes, the grocery chain best know for two buck Chuck, (their private label of wines costing $2) now offers more wines than ever under $10…

The New York Times is reporting consultants and wine shops across America are seeing the same trend… We all seem to be looking for a less expensive bottle of wine…

If you’re interested in what the NY Times had to say, click here…

If you know the name of a good wine under $10, leave it in the comments section.

And if you’re looking for great wine advice and an outstanding podcast, check out Wine Library TV by clicking here…

The folks from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Food section  have come up with what they’re calling their, “food-obsessed’s wish list for 2009”… More predictions than wishes, but still interesting…

Topping their list…

More fresh foods
Improved government oversight
The disappearance of the $20 hamburger
More sustainable food practices including sushi
Affordable wine lists

You get the picture… The story and the list makes for interesting reading…

Click here if you’re looking for the complete story…

If you’re not lucky enough to live along one of the many coasts in the world,  but still long for the taste of fresh oysters you’re in luck.

I’m going to ignore those of you looking to remind me they sell oysters at the grocery store… and instead suggest Taylor Shellfish Farms just outside of Seattle.

They offer several different options all of them better than anything you’ll find at your local megamart and all available via their website.

And for those of you in San Francisco, a reminder that some of the best oysters in the world can be found right here, courtesy of the Hog Island Oyster Company.  Also available for ordering online.

And lets not forget oysters are good for you…

“Oysters are high in zinc, potassium, and vitamins A, B-12, C, and D. Oysters are also a great source of cholesterol-reducing omega-3 fatty acids. A 3 1/2 - ounce serving (about 3 small oysters) contains 69 calories, 2.5 milligrams of fat, and .44 milligrams of omega-3s.”
Jairemarie Pomo, The Hog Island Oyster Lover’s Cookbook