Welcome back. November is National Native American Heritage Month, so we want to end this hour with a new book that celebrates indigenous culture through its food. It's a cookbook titled Turtle Island.It's a collaboration between three-time James Beard award-winning chef Shawn Sherman and award-winning writer and editor Kate Nelson. But it's not your average cookbook. It's an exploration of the food, tradition, and history of the indigenous people of North America.It's a legacy that's been passed on for gen ...

Valmont Industries FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Valmont Industries (NYSE: VMI) - **Market Cap**: Approximately $8 billion - **Segments**: 75% Infrastructure, 25% Agriculture - **Employee Count**: 11,000 employees across more than 100 countries - **Sales Distribution**: 70% in North America, 30% globally [5][4][3] Key Points and Arguments Growth Strategy and Financial Performance - **Earnings Growth**: Earnings per share (EPS) more than doubled since 2020, with a return on invested capital increasing to 16.4% [3][4] - **Future Projections**: Plans to drive growth of $500 million to $700 million, targeting incremental EPS of $7 to $12, aiming for a total EPS of $25 to $30 [4][19] - **Operating Income**: Despite plateauing net sales, operating income has doubled, indicating strong cost management and productivity [21][20] Infrastructure Market Drivers - **Aging Infrastructure**: Significant need for replacement of aging infrastructure, particularly utility poles and lighting systems, many dating back to the 1950s and 1960s [6][7] - **Energy Transition**: Increased power consumption driven by electrification, AI, and data centers, necessitating infrastructure upgrades [8][9] - **Utility Demand**: Strong demand in the utility sector, with plans to expand capacity to meet this demand [18][26] Agriculture Market Insights - **Cyclical Nature**: Agriculture is currently in a trough, but long-term drivers such as food security and population growth remain strong [12][13] - **Irrigation Solutions**: Valmont's irrigation solutions can significantly increase crop yields, with examples showing up to 280% yield increase for corn [15][16] - **International Growth**: Focus on expanding international sales, particularly in Brazil and regions like the Middle East and Africa, where food security is a priority [17][36] Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns - **Balanced Approach**: Emphasis on disciplined capital allocation, including a $700 million share buyback program and consistent dividend increases [24][25] - **Investment in Growth**: Approximately $150 million per year in capital expenditures, with $100 million directed towards growth opportunities [23][24] - **M&A Strategy**: Selective and strategic acquisitions aimed at enhancing core competencies, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure [24][37] Operational Efficiency and Market Position - **Competitive Advantage**: Valmont's engineering and manufacturing expertise provide unmatched value in the infrastructure market [4][19] - **Capacity Constraints**: The industry is facing capacity constraints, which Valmont aims to address through investments in its facilities and workforce [20][33] - **Long-term Outlook**: Positive outlook for future growth driven by strong market demand and operational efficiencies [27][31] Additional Important Insights - **Technological Integration**: Use of technology in agriculture to optimize irrigation and improve efficiency [16] - **Market Adaptation**: Adjustments made in response to market conditions, including exiting certain solar markets to focus on Europe [20] - **Customer Relationships**: Strong customer relationships and a broad product portfolio support Valmont's market position [10][11] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the Valmont Industries FY Conference, highlighting the company's strategic focus on growth, infrastructure modernization, and agricultural innovation while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and shareholder returns.

I want to bring in Hazel Willow. Hazel lives in Maine and relies on SNAP food benefits. Hi, Hazel.It's so kind of you to come on the program and and I know this isn't easy to talk about, but I just wonder before we get to the news today, can you help people understand you're a mom, what these last days and weeks have been like for you. >> Hi, Chris. Thanks so much for having me.Um yeah, it's difficult to be vulnerable about this stuff because in society, you know, we're not supposed to talk about um the har ...

Food security is so important and vital for everyone. For the president to say that these are Democrats that it affects. Uh all our data shows that more people that are Republicans in red states in red rural counties are more SNAP recipients than anywhere else.But it doesn't matter. Everyone needs to eat. And if we have all paid federal tax dollars out of our paychecks, out of our corporate taxes, all of these go to the federal government.They've already been funded. He just has to press the button to make ...

Q3 2025 Financial Performance - Net sales reached $1.05 billion, a 2.5% increase compared to the previous year[10] - Operating margin improved by 120 bps to 13.5%[10] - Diluted EPS increased by 21.2% to $4.98[10] Segment Performance - Infrastructure sales increased by 6.6% to $808.3 million, with operating income up by 15.9%[27, 28] - Utility sales grew by 12.3% to $391.9 million, while Telecommunications saw a significant increase of 37.0% to $88.1 million[31] - Agriculture sales decreased by 9.0% to $241.3 million, with operating income down by 19.7%[34, 35] Capital Allocation and Cash Flow - Q3 2025 operating cash flows were $112.5 million[43] - The company invested $42 million in capital expenditures[41] - Share repurchases amounted to $26 million at an average price of $374.33 per share[41] Outlook - Full-year 2025 net sales are projected to be approximately $4.1 billion[46] - Adjusted diluted EPS outlook raised to $18.70 to $19.50[46] - The adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be around 25.0%[46]

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza - Over the past two years, the population has faced shortages of food, education, clean water, shelter, and healthcare services [2] - Nearly 90% of the population lacks shelter [3] - Schools have been closed for two years [3] - Winter conditions in Gaza are harsh, exacerbating the challenges for those living in tents without basic necessities [7] Aid and Access - Continuous access to external food supplies is crucial, as Gaza's agricultural lands and minimal manufacturing have been destroyed [5][6] - All aid groups are ready to comply with security requirements, including providing complete inventories and undergoing screening processes [8] - A quick and thorough screening process is needed to ensure aid reaches people in need promptly [10] - Opening the Rafa crossing is considered almost essential for rebuilding and providing necessary aid, including shelter, food, water, medication, and medical services [10][11] Long-Term Impact - There are concerns about the long-term consequences of the situation on the lives of children in Gaza, who make up half the population [4] - Healthcare system has been utterly destroyed, posing a huge challenge to treat patients with infections [7]

Core Insights - Interlink Electronics has received a $200,000 SBIR Phase 1 grant from the FDA to enhance its sensor technology aimed at improving food safety and quality monitoring of post-harvest food products [1][3]. Company Overview - Interlink Electronics is a leader in sensor technology and printed electronic solutions, with 40 years of experience serving various markets including medical, industrial, automotive, wearables, IoT, and specialty markets [4]. - The company operates from multiple locations, including its headquarters in Fremont, California, and manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen, China; Irvine, Scotland; and Barnsley, England [4]. Industry Context - Food security is a critical global issue, necessitating the monitoring of food quality throughout the supply chain, which is a public health priority for governments worldwide [2]. - The development of advanced electrochemical sensors is essential for ensuring food safety and quality, addressing both economic impacts and public health concerns [2]. Strategic Implications - The grant signifies recognition of Interlink's expertise in developing low-power, cost-effective electrochemical gas sensors, positioning the company to expand into high-value markets such as food safety [3]. - The funding will enable the company to enhance its R&D efforts, leading to the creation of novel sensor platforms that can monitor a wide range of food quality parameters [3].

Core Insights - FirstEnergy Foundation has contributed a $100,000 grant to the United Way of Berks County's Big Cheese event, which will provide 500,000 meals to those facing food insecurity, doubling the number of meals from the previous year [2][5] - The event involved 1,000 volunteers packaging meals, which were distributed to local food banks and the Reading School District [2][4] - In Berks County, 20% of residents are food insecure, including 25,000 children, highlighting the critical need for such initiatives [3] Company Contributions - The FirstEnergy Foundation has granted nearly $2 million in the first half of 2025 to support various community initiatives, including the Big Cheese event [5] - FirstEnergy is committed to supporting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits that address critical community needs in areas served by its electric operating companies [5][8] Community Impact - The partnership between FirstEnergy and the United Way of Berks County is rooted in community spirit and aims to ensure access to nutritious meals for families in need [4][6] - The United Way of Berks County has been active since 1925, focusing on education, food security, and workforce development to help the community thrive [6]

Core Insights - Pinnacle Food Group Limited sponsored the Smart Farming Forum, highlighting the urgency of food security and the need for smart farming systems in Canada [1][2] - The forum emphasized the importance of standards in ensuring quality assurance and access to international markets for Canadian smart food producers [3] - Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for the Canadian smart farming sector to compete globally, especially amid ongoing tariff conflicts [4] Industry Challenges - The Canadian smart farming sector faces technological challenges and broader transitions in global food systems, exacerbated by climate change and geopolitical tensions [2] - The need for secure and safe smart farming systems is increasingly urgent due to fragile food supply chains [2] Importance of Standards - Standards are crucial for building trust and ensuring quality in the smart farming sector, particularly for export-oriented agriculture in Canada [3] - Maintaining high international standards for quality and safety is vital for smart food producers to communicate effectively across borders [3] Collaboration and Integration - An integrated approach that connects technology, regulation, and real-world practices is necessary for the advancement of smart farming [4] - Stronger collaboration is required among Canadian smart food producers to standardize and certify their outputs for global competition [4] Achievements and Future Opportunities - Pinnacle Food Group has shown that smart monitoring and traceability are achievable goals, positioning Canada for leadership in smart farming [5] - The forum participants identified opportunities for future collaboration, including co-developing smart farming standards and launching pilot projects [9]

Core Insights - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. successfully raised over $5 million through its 15th annual Independence from Hunger Food Drive to support local food banks [1][3] - The campaign ran from June 25 to July 31, with over 540 Grocery Outlet stores participating in collecting donations [2][4] - Since its inception in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign has raised over $30 million in cash and food donations [4] Company Initiatives - The company partnered with local food banks to facilitate fundraising and community outreach efforts [4] - Customers could support the campaign through various means, including in-store donations, purchasing pre-made grocery bags, and online contributions [7] - No administration or collateral fees are deducted from the funds collected, ensuring that all donations directly benefit local food banks [5] Industry Context - According to the USDA, approximately 18 million families in the U.S. are facing food insecurity, highlighting the importance of initiatives like Grocery Outlet's [3] - The company is committed to providing access to affordable, high-quality meals for families in need through its ongoing campaigns [3]