Specialty crop growers have nearly doubled their participation in federal risk management programs over the past ten years, according to a new report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service.
The passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 resulted in major updates in school meal nutrition standards that have translated to substantial gains in governmental fruit and vegetable purchases.
The USDA has announced it will provide close to $2 billion in additional funding to food banks and school meal programs for purchasing American-grown foods.
According to Secretary Vilsack, these efforts will “increase the competitive advantage of U.S. agriculture both domestically and internationally,” while building wealth in rural America.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the availability of approximately $400 million to provide services through USDA’s new Regional Food Business Centers.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has signed a cooperative agreement with California under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.
The CPI, an inflation gauge measuring what consumers pay for goods and services, rose 1.3% from May to June. Prices were up across the economy, with gasoline far outpacing other categories, up 11.2%.
According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of 5,981 million metrics tons, of the U.S.’s total carbon contribution.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with Washington state under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (formerly WHIP+), representing 67% of the $6 billion projected to be paid.
The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with Ohio under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.
Creating retail partnerships, establishing permanent benefit amounts, allowing for earlier redemption by age and increasing WIC fruit and vegetable cash value benefit awareness are recommendations from IFPA to the USDA.
Winning praise from nutrition advocates, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee on June 15 voted to approve a yearlong extension of enhanced WIC fruit and vegetable benefits.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the USDA plans to provide up to $200 million in assistance for specialty crop producers for food safety expenses.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced plans to increase capacity for exporting chilled and frozen agricultural commodities at the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas.
In a letter sent to President Biden, the Republicans argue the situation started before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying the administration has failed to take serious action to increase agricultural production.
The value of U.S. imports of fruit lurched ahead by 17% in the year ending April compared with the same period a year ago, according to new trade data.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits to low-income households will increase by 18% this year, according to new projections from the Congressional Budget Office.
Transforming the U.S. food system by improving supply chains and addressing issues exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic was detailed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack during a speech at Georgetown University.
USDA raised its estimated range of 6.5%-7.5% y/y increase from a range of 5%-6%, according to the May Food Price Outlook report, the highest forecast for all food prices and restaurant prices since 1981.
The Government of Italy has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of fresh Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) for consumption into the United States.
The USDA has announced that it will conduct another referendum among South Texas onion producers to determine their level of support for continuing their federal marketing order.
Speculation over whether U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was arrested last week made its rounds on social media over the weekend, but USDA confirmed to Farm Journal the story is false.
Families who are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are less likely to purchase fresh produce when buying groceries online compared to in-store, according to a new study.
USDA's 2022 food price inflation forecasts are already at a 14-year high with forecasts for consumer food price inflation increased again this month. All food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% vs 4.5% to 5.5% in March.
The USDA has awarded $9.98 million to 14 collaborative, multi-state projects impacting 28 states to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, according to a news release.
Food prices continue to climb across the board. According to the latest Consumer Price Index, increasing grocery prices account for the largest share of the hike. However, shoppers don't view prices as high.
The USDA has announced that it has signed its first cooperative agreement under the new Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) with the Colorado Department of Human Services.
The Government of Pakistan has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of Fresh Dates (Phoenix dactyliferas) for consumption into the U.S.
President Biden's USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.
The Government of New Zealand has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to authorize the importation of fresh pepper for consumption into the U.S. and territories.
USDA now expects food price inflation in 2022 to be from 4.5% to 5.5%, compared with 2021, based on the all-food Consumer Price Index. No category shows a potential decline.
Ethiopia has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of Fresh Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) for consumption into the United States and Territories.
Indonesia has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of Fresh Wasabi (Wasabia japonica (Miq.) Matsum.) for consumption into the United States and Territories.