what's updated:

June 2010

Natural Beef - “Natural” does not have the same strict interpretation as "organic" does. According to the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service, all fresh meat qualifies as natural, but those labeled natural cannot contain any artificial flavor or flavoring, coloring ingredient, chemical preservative or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient; and the product and its ingredients are not more than minimally processed (ground, frozen or smoked).

Dairy Products - Two-thirds of the U.S. milk supply is used to manufacture a wide range of dairy products. The bulk of U.S. dairy products is still consumed domestically, but 9.3 percent was exported in 2009. Exported dairy products include butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and infant formula.

Ethanol - The U.S. fuel ethanol industry has grown to an annual production capacity of 13.6 billion gallons and an estimated 12.8 billion gallons per year of actual production, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. More than 200 ethanol plants operate in 27 states and 14 new plants or plant expansions are underway. Though corn is still the primary feedstock for U.S. ethanol, it can be produced from a variety of feedstocks.

Melons - The United States is one of the world's leading consumers of melons. Per person consumption of melons was an estimated 26.3 pounds in 2009.

Solar Power - Domestic shipments of solar thermal collectors were 14.7 million square feet (sq. ft.) in 2008. The residential market is the primary market for solar thermal collectors, accounting for 13 million sq. ft. of solar thermal collectors and 88 percent of total shipments, with swimming pool heating being the most common application. 

Tilipia - Tilapia is the second most important group of farmed fish after carp and the most widely grown of any farmed fish. Since 2006, tilapia has ranked fifth on the U.S. National Fisheries Institute's “Top Ten” list of the most consumed fish and seafood in the United States.