Funky food fun

Here's a bit of hodge podge from the food world.

First up - British-based Tesco, the third largest retailer in the world, is offering bits of land to grow your own veggies. The company touts the "allotments" as great ways to get exercise, teach children about nature, preserve the environment, reduce shopping bills and curb the use of fertilizer and pesticides.

Of course the stores also sells grow-your-own gardening supplies.

The allotments are small parcels of ground that rent for between $15 and $75.

Tesco is also planning on selling chicks and adult hens to lay eggs and reports the chicken coops it sells are very popular.

Take two - The brat burger could be in your future.

Johnsonville, maker of all things sausage has been rolling out slices of sausage meat for food service customers. Next up is the brat, which is a pre-cooked product that follows Johnsonville's other Ultimate Sausage Slices — Andouille, Italian, and Hot 'N' Spicy.

The company suggests using them for everything from snacks to stir fries. But check out this useage. No wonder one comment on a blog about this subject asked to be reminded why health care costs are so high.