Latest News From USDA

USDA seeks comment on imports of fresh Hass avocados from Guatemala
USDA seeks comment on imports of fresh Hass avocados from Guatemala

The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh Hass avocados  from Guatemala. 

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USDA report: Increased fruit and vegetable purchases followed school nutrition reform

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.

Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm
Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm

There's a stick, a big stick, with potentially big consequences for those involved in the value chain—all the way down to the farm gate.

USDA invests nearly $2 billion, leverages American agriculture to feed kids and families
USDA invests nearly $2 billion, leverages American agriculture to feed kids and families

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. 

How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation
How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation

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.

USDA greenlights Norfolk Plant Sciences' Purple Tomato
USDA greenlights Norfolk Plant Sciences' Purple Tomato

A new genetically modified purple tomato has received a green light from the USDA.

USDA announces $400M in funding available to create USDA regional food business centers
USDA announces $400M in funding available to create USDA regional food business centers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the availability of approximately $400 million to provide services through USDA’s new Regional Food Business Centers.

USDA announces $72.9M in grants to help the specialty crops industry
USDA announces $72.9M in grants to help the specialty crops industry

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has awarded a total of $72.9 million in the fiscal year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding. 

USDA: Retail food inflation to top 10% in 2022
USDA: Retail food inflation to top 10% in 2022

The USDA’s new forecast for retail grocery inflation in 2022 tops 10%, close to three times the 3.5% inflation rate in 2021.

USDA: Emergency Relief Program delivers timely assistance to commodity and specialty crop producers
USDA: Emergency Relief Program delivers timely assistance to commodity and specialty crop producers

The USDA has processed more than 255,000 applications for its new Emergency Relief Program, according to a news release.

USDA announces its Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement with California
USDA announces its Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement with California

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.

USDA seeks comment on proposed updates to list of bioengineered foods
USDA seeks comment on proposed updates to list of bioengineered foods

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is inviting comments on plans to change the list of bioengineered foods.

USDA announces $37M of purchases of fresh and processed stone fruit
USDA announces $37M of purchases of fresh and processed stone fruit

The USDA has announced purchases of fresh and frozen stone fruit totaling more than $37 million.

CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981
CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981

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%.

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking
New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

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.

Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds
Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds

Rhode Island lawmakers are creating a program that will invest $11.5 million in a pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

USDA announces Washington state local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement
USDA announces Washington state local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement

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 Reveals Farmers Have Received More Than $4 Billion in ERP Payouts to Date
USDA Reveals Farmers Have Received More Than $4 Billion in ERP Payouts to Date

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.

USDA, Ohio sign Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement to support underserved producers and communities
USDA, Ohio sign Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement to support underserved producers and communities

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.

IFPA gives recommendations to USDA on expanding access to fruits and vegetables in WIC program
IFPA gives recommendations to USDA on expanding access to fruits and vegetables in WIC 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.

National WIC Association praises subcommittee vote for the extension of WIC fruit and vegetable benefits
National WIC Association praises subcommittee vote for the extension of WIC fruit and vegetable benefits

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. 

USDA announces assistance for on-farm food safety expenses for specialty crop growers
USDA announces assistance for on-farm food safety expenses for specialty crop growers

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.

USDA announces actions with ports to boost exports
USDA announces actions with ports to boost exports

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.

USDA seeks comments on pest risk assessment on Spanish peppers
USDA seeks comments on pest risk assessment on Spanish peppers

The USDA  has drafted a pest risk assessment for the expansion of U.S. pepper imports from Spain. 

As Americans Fight Inflation, Top House Republicans Urge Biden to Change Approach to Agricultural And Energy Policies
As Americans Fight Inflation, Top House Republicans Urge Biden to Change Approach to Agricultural And Energy Policies

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.

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Fruit imports are sizzling, USDA trade data shows

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. 

USDA’s APHIS seeking comments on long-term plan
USDA’s APHIS seeking comments on long-term plan

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking input on its new long-term strategic plan, according to the agency.

SNAP costs grow by 18% in 2022
SNAP costs grow by 18% in 2022

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.

Vilsack Announces $2B in Funding to Transform U.S. Food System
Vilsack Announces $2B in Funding to Transform U.S. Food System

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 Raises 2022 Food Inflation Forecasts Again, Highest Grocery Food Price Hikes in 42 Years
USDA Raises 2022 Food Inflation Forecasts Again, Highest Grocery Food Price Hikes in 42 Years

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.

USDA to release floriculture estimates
USDA to release floriculture estimates

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will release 2021 floriculture estimates on May 25 at 3 pm Eastern.

USDA to provide $6B to commodity and specialty crop growers hurt by 2020 and 2021 natural disasters
USDA to provide $6B to commodity and specialty crop growers hurt by 2020 and 2021 natural disasters

Help is on the way for growers hurt by natural disasters in 2020 and 2021.

Italy wants access to the U.S. market for finger limes
Italy wants access to the U.S. market for finger limes

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.

USDA announces planned sweet potato purchase
USDA announces planned sweet potato purchase

The USDA on May 16 announced plans to purchase sweet potatoes for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. 

USDA to conduct vote on South Texas onion marketing order
USDA to conduct vote on South Texas onion marketing order

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.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Was Not Arrested Last Week
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Was Not Arrested Last Week

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.

SNAP recipients hesitant to trust online shoppers for fresh produce, study says
SNAP recipients hesitant to trust online shoppers for fresh produce, study says

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 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More
USDA 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More

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.

Food inflation spiking well above historical averages
Food inflation spiking well above historical averages

Grocery food inflation for all of 2022 is expected to average between 5% and 6%, the latest USDA Food Price report said.

USDA announces $9.98 million in grants awarded to strengthen the specialty crop industry
USDA announces $9.98 million in grants awarded to strengthen the specialty crop industry

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 at Home Prices Shot Up 10% — and American Shoppers are Willing to Fork Over the Extra Cash
Food at Home Prices Shot Up 10% — and American Shoppers are Willing to Fork Over the Extra Cash

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.

USDA, Colorado sign first cooperative agreement for the local procurement of food
USDA, Colorado sign first cooperative agreement for the local procurement of food

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.

USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh dates from Pakistan
USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh dates from Pakistan

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. 

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Biden's USDA Budget Proposal Seeks Big CRP Boost with $2.4B to Enroll Targeted 27 Million Acres

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.

USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh pepper from New Zealand
USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh pepper from New Zealand

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.

Inflation Already Costing Consumers, USDA Makes Large Upward Revisions in Food Price Forecast
Inflation Already Costing Consumers, USDA Makes Large Upward Revisions in Food Price Forecast

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.

Grant applications due May 16 for USDA local food programs
Grant applications due May 16 for USDA local food programs

Grant applications are due in May for two USDA programs that promote local food.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program applications due May 3
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program applications due May 3

Grant applications are due May 3 for the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

APHIS seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh thyme from Ethiopia
APHIS seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh thyme from Ethiopia

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.

APHIS seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh wasabi from Indonesia
APHIS seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh wasabi from Indonesia

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.