Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) May 15, 2008 -- Consumers across America are feeling the strain of rising food prices, but they are not alone. Small businesses?from family farmers to restaurants and grocery stores?are seeing the cost of their ?raw materials? increase rapidly. The current economic downturn only compounds the problem, leaving consumers with less disposable income for the products and services these firms bring to market.
Today, the House Committee on Small Business (www.house.gov/smbiz) examined how the trends are affecting the nation?s economic food chain. Committee Members heard from a panel of entrepreneurs, and called for a national dialogue to yield sound policy and a full understanding of variables driving prices for such items as bread, eggs and milk.
?Like other Americans, entrepreneurs are facing record oil prices, tightening credit markets, and a lagging economy. They are also dealing with skyrocketing food prices?both as consumers and as business people,? said Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
Small firms feel the impact of sudden increases in business expenses more harshly than their larger counterparts. At today?s hearing, the American Bakers Association noted a bag of bread flour cost $17 in 2006. That same bag now costs a small business $52. For many entrepreneurs, such radical jumps in costs can mean the difference between turning a profit and being forced to shut their doors.
?The situation presents serious challenges, so we shouldn?t waste time despairing or pointing fingers. Instead, we should focus on understanding the dynamics of the problem and the how the pieces of this puzzle come together,? said Chairwoman Velázquez.
Witnesses noted that forces such as changing weather patterns, increased global demand for food items in emerging markets, and record oil prices have joined to create a ?perfect storm?. Their testimony also underscored that no single variable could have caused the current situation on its own, and that any solution must take the complex interaction of factors into account.
?There may not be a simple answer to the rising cost of food prices, but that doesn?t mean we shouldn?t work towards short- and long-term solutions to this problem,? said Chairwoman Velázquez. She also noted that small firms are the core of the nation?s fiscal strength, and added: ?Current conditions may be pushing them to the limit, but I remain confident in the resiliency of U.S. small business. Entrepreneurs have always led the way back to economic recovery, and?with our support?they?ll do so again.?
Click here (http://www.house.gov/smbiz/hearings/hearing-05-15-08-food-prices/hearing%20witnesses.html) to view witness testimony.
Click here (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3162609C1EC4F85A) to view video of the hearing.
CONTACT:
Erin Donar/Jaime Zapata
(202) 226-3636
###
Selecting Your Plus Size Maternity Work Clothes Wardrobe
Around the three or four month mark of your pregnancy you will want to buy some maternity clothes that are appropriate for wearing to work. Many women now work almost up until their baby is born and they want to look professional at work. When your clothes start to feel a little tight you should start thinking about purchasing maternity clothes.
Branding Article: Pepsis Missed Brand Opportunity
I love Pepsi. It's that slightly sweeter taste and the all-American logo combined with the non-conformist statement that, well, it's not Coke.
Belly Dance Maternity Clothes Boutique to Offer Brand Exclusives
Belly Dance Maternity clothing will be expanding its designer boutique collection to include maternity designers such as Olian, Maternal America, Japanese Weekend and ChiaraKruza.
Brand New Leather & Plus Size Lingerie & Kama Sutra Products
Any Size Lingerie has just added over 400 new leather & Plus Size lingerie products including men's under garments and briefs that are in leather and fishnet combinations. Any Size Lingerie also added over 200 women's leather lingerie outfits that are available to view online and most come in a variety of options in sizes and some in color including red leather and black leather choices.
Maternity Clothes For The Plus Size Woman
Being pregnant is one of the most joyous and happy times in a woman's life, although having to buy plus size maternity clothes is certainly something no woman really looks forward to. Having to buy plus sized clothes is bad enough, but plus sized clothes with room for a huge belly? Forget about it, right? Luckily, there are some fabulous plus size maternity clothes out there that are fashionable and can make you look great, no matter how plus sized or pregnant you may happen to be. Who said big girls can't look great in their clothes? Plus sized maternity fashions just got that much cooler!
Plus Size Maternity Jeans - What You Should Know
Pregnant moms who become plus sized, love maternity jeans, as they do not want to miss out on the comfort of denim, while their abdomen is expanding for the developing baby. You will find that till about the fourth month or the second trimester, regular plus size jeans can be worn.
Your Plus Size Lingerie Clothing Sytle
You are feeling full of anticipation and naughty. You are waiting for your husband to come home. You dab on the most provocative perfume you own, which is your husbands favorite. You are wearing a teddy with a leopard print. While checking yourself in the mirror you look at your choice of your accessories and smile to yourself. You feel so vamped up.
Maternity Clothing - What Every Woman Needs To Know About Maternity Clothes
Let's face it: maternity clothing is ugly and expensive. Since most women don't need to wear maternity clothes until the second trimester, at most you'll only be getting six months of use out of those ugly $200 overalls to cover your ever expanding stomach. I couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe when I already felt so ugly, so I resorted to making my own for as long as possible. For example, I really didn't want to buy old lady underwear that would cover me from my belly button to the tops of my thighs. They were hot and uncomfortable anyway, but there aren't many sexy maternity panties around.
Plus Size Lingerie: Stylish & Sexy Lingerie
Back in the day, plus-size women had little hopes in terms of finding sexy plus-size lingerie. Most of the material was uncomfortable and the varieties available were less than perfect. Finding seductive lingerie for a plus-size woman became an unfeasible undertaking.
Fashionable Designer Lingerie and Branded Lingerie
Beauty of a woman is a matchless attribute; with nothing to surpass it. So long a time there have been the existence of women in this world, there have been lingerie's as well. This fashion serving luxury undergarment expresses her beauty loving feminine personality, apart from the basic need of supporting her physique. Though the word 'lingerie' normally describes both male and female undergarments, the term is commonly used to refer woman's intimate wear. Lingerie is a broad term and includes garments like bras, panties, stockings, thongs, garters, peignoirs, sheer night gowns, and exotic night wears