Latest News From USDA

USDA to issue specialty crops inspection certificates, audit report in new formats to support the transition to SCION
USDA to issue specialty crops inspection certificates, audit report in new formats to support the transition to SCION

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will begin issuing inspection certificates and audit reports in several formats as the agency deploys the Specialty Crops Integrated Operating Network (SCION).

USDA announces $3 billion investment in agriculture, animal health, and nutrition
USDA announces $3 billion investment in agriculture, animal health, and nutrition

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers.

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USDA aims to help schools deal with supply chain challenges for meals

It is lunchtime, but some U.S. schools have reported trouble finding the right foods to put in student meals.

USDA deregulates Arctic Gala
USDA deregulates Arctic Gala

The USDA is extending deregulation to an apple variety, designated as PG451 Arctic Gala, developed using genetic engineering to prevent browning by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc. (OSF).

USDA: Interest in crop insurance for specialty and organic crops grows as options expand
USDA: Interest in crop insurance for specialty and organic crops grows as options expand

The number of agricultural producers who purchase crop insurance for their specialty and organic crops continues to climb.

One hundred groups call for Congress to extend WIC fruit and vegetable benefit bump
One hundred groups call for Congress to extend WIC fruit and vegetable benefit bump

More than 100 organizations have signed a letter to Congressional leaders urging an extension of the short-term increase to WIC benefits for fruits and vegetables that expires on Sept. 30.

Pecan producers vote to continue their federal marketing order
Pecan producers vote to continue their federal marketing order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that pecan producers voted to continue their marketing order program.

Vilsack Says USDA is Still Assessing Hurricane Ida Damage, Outlines Possibilities for Disaster Aid
Vilsack Says USDA is Still Assessing Hurricane Ida Damage, Outlines Possibilities for Disaster Aid

Hurricane Ida, and possible aid to producers, was a big topic of the Farm Journal Farm Country Update with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday. Vilsack highlighted when additional aid may be on the way. 

Ag Secretary to Join Virtual Town Hall, Discussing Most Pressing Issues in Agriculture
Ag Secretary to Join Virtual Town Hall, Discussing Most Pressing Issues in Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join Clinton Griffiths for a virtual live town-hall Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. CDT. Farmers and ranchers will ask about the most pressing issues and opportunities they face.

USDA Rolls Out Updates to CFAP2, Changes for Contract Livestock and Specialty Crop Producers
USDA Rolls Out Updates to CFAP2, Changes for Contract Livestock and Specialty Crop Producers

USDA announced updates to CFAP 2, with the biggest revisions occurring for contract producers of livestock and specialty crops. The deadline is now October 12 to sign up or make modifications to existing applications.

USDA announces intent to purchase $400 million in ag commodities
USDA announces intent to purchase $400 million in ag commodities

The USDA announced plans to purchase approximately $400 million in produce, beef, pork, poultry, fish, and dairy products for distribution to outlets within The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

USDA invests $69 million to support critical food and nutrition security needs
USDA invests $69 million to support critical food and nutrition security needs

The USDA announced today an investment of $69 million to address critical food and nutrition security needs of low-income communities enduring the pandemic.

APHIS expands the Mexican fruit fly quarantine areas in Cameron County, Texas
APHIS expands the Mexican fruit fly quarantine areas in Cameron County, Texas

Effective July 14, USDA and the Texas Department of Agriculture expanded the Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines in the cities of Brownsville and Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas.

USDA restricts Mexican fresh figs
USDA restricts Mexican fresh figs

Effective Aug. 24, the USDA is implementing restrictions on all commercial consignments of fresh fig fruits imported into the U.S. from Mexico to prevent the introduction of black fig fly.

USDA expands Australian citrus access to U.S.
USDA expands Australian citrus access to U.S.

More citrus-growing areas of Australia have been cleared to export to the U.S.

USDA increases SNAP benefits by more than 20%
USDA increases SNAP benefits by more than 20%

A big increase in benefits is on the way for Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

U.S. apple production is forecast up 3%, pear output down slightly
U.S. apple production is forecast up 3%, pear output down slightly

Apples are up and pears are down in the August crop production forecast report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Industry misses USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Industry misses USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program is missed by fresh produce distributors everywhere, including in Maryland and Virginia.

USDA announces $10 million in grant funding available for the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program
USDA announces $10 million in grant funding available for the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that $10 million is available for competitive grant funding in the 2021 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP).

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USDA: Time to tweak Buy American provisions of feeding programs?

Should the U.S. Department of Agriculture change the way Buy American provisions in school meal programs are used?

Packer Insight – Policy, mushrooms, micro fulfillment
Packer Insight – Policy, mushrooms, micro fulfillment

The Packer's Tom Karst, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle discuss big topics of the week, from what's on tap for the annual Washington Conference to mushroom updates to the implications of a new Instacart deal.

GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network: New requirement for USDA foods vendors
GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network: New requirement for USDA foods vendors

Effective with contracts awarded on or after September 1, 2021, USDA Foods vendors will be required to submit product information to GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network for a select number of items.

california drought
Lawmakers push for USDA help for growers scorched by drought, heat

Western U.S. lawmakers are pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give more help to growers burned by record heat and drought.

USDA announces big fresh apple purchase
USDA announces big fresh apple purchase

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a big fresh apple purchase.

Panama seeks access for tomatillo
Panama seeks access for tomatillo

The Government of Panama has asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) for consumption into the United States and Territories.

USDA announces revised performance measures for AMS grant programs
USDA announces revised performance measures for AMS grant programs

The USDA has announced updated performance measures for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and other programs.

USDA: French legislation threatens millions of dollars of U.S. fruit and vegetable exports
USDA: French legislation threatens millions of dollars of U.S. fruit and vegetable exports

A French law that will ban produce stickers starting Jan. 1 of 2022 threatens millions of dollars of U.S. produce exports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.

USDA releases solicitation for mixed fresh produce cartons
USDA releases solicitation for mixed fresh produce cartons

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a solicitation for 436,000 cartons of mixed fresh produce for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

USDA sets dates for Blueberry Research and Promotion Program continuance referendum
USDA sets dates for Blueberry Research and Promotion Program continuance referendum

The USDA announced it will conduct a referendum for eligible domestic producers and importers of highbush blueberries on whether to continue the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order.

USDA Awards $12 Million in Farm to School Grants
USDA Awards $12 Million in Farm to School Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $12 million in Farm to School Grants this year, announcing awards to 176 grantees, the most projects funded since the program began in 2013. 

USDA announces reopening of pecan marketing order continuance referendum
USDA announces reopening of pecan marketing order continuance referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reopened the referendum voting period from June 29, through July 23, 2021, for pecan growers to vote on whether to continue their Federal marketing order.

RMA authorizes emergency procedures to help drought-impacted producers
RMA authorizes emergency procedures to help drought-impacted producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is authorizing emergency procedures to help agricultural producers impacted by extreme drought conditions.

2021 sees modest growth in fresh produce exports
2021 sees modest growth in fresh produce exports

U.S. exports of fresh fruits and vegetables showed moderate growth through May this year compared with the same period in 2020.

U.S. fruit imports surge so far in 2021, vegetables mostly steady
U.S. fruit imports surge so far in 2021, vegetables mostly steady

U.S. imports of fresh fruits from January through May surged 13% compared with a year ago, according to new statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

USDA report looks at Canadian retail market
USDA report looks at Canadian retail market

A new report on the Canadian retail industry reviews market share numbers for major supermarket operators and examines the growth potential for U.S. fresh produce exports.

USDA looks at Arctic Gala
USDA looks at Arctic Gala

The USDA is inviting comment on a request from Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc. to extend deregulation to an apple variety (designated as PG451 Arctic Gala) developed using genetic engineering to prevent browning. 

USDA announces additional aid to ag producers and businesses in Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative
USDA announces additional aid to ag producers and businesses in Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today additional aid to agricultural producers and businesses as part of the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

USDA Vows to Fight Court Decision to Halt Loan Forgiveness for Farmers of Color
USDA Vows to Fight Court Decision to Halt Loan Forgiveness for Farmers of Color

A federal judge announced Friday a decision to halt payments in a USDA loan forgiveness program designed to help farmers of color. USDA has until Friday to respond to the court’s temporary restraining order. 

Protests slow produce exports from Colombia
Protests slow produce exports from Colombia

More than a month of protests over a tax reform bill in Colombia have slowed the exports of some agricultural commodities, including hass avocados and bananas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.

USDA to invest more than $4 billion to strengthen food system
USDA to invest more than $4 billion to strengthen food system

The USDA announced plans to invest more than $4 billion to strengthen critical supply chains through the Build Back Better initiative.

USDA: A Letter of Appreciation to our USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Partners
USDA: A Letter of Appreciation to our USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Partners

From USDA: To our program partners,   As the Farmers to Families Food Box Program comes to an end, we want to again thank you for your support and partnership in this effort.

Local and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Get $400 Million Boost in USDA's New Food Bank Plan
Local and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Get $400 Million Boost in USDA's New Food Bank Plan

To help with the ongoing demand for food in the U.S., USDA announced it is investing $1 billion in the country's food bank networks.

USDA to invest $1 billion to purchase healthy food for food insecure Americans and build food bank capacity
USDA to invest $1 billion to purchase healthy food for food insecure Americans and build food bank capacity

The USDA announced an investment of up to $1 billion, including $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding, in The Emergency Food Assistance Program to support and expand the emergency food network.

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Debt Relief for U.S. Minority Farmers Coming in June - USDA

The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday it will start erasing an estimated $4 billion dollars in debt to minority farmers in June, as it seeks to address racial discrimination.

These companies won contracts for USDA's TEFAP produce boxes
These companies won contracts for USDA's TEFAP produce boxes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has purchased fresh produce for distribution via food boxes through the Emergency Food Assistance Program and other domestic food assistant programs.

California almond production up 3%
California almond production up 3%

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first forecast for 2021 California almond production is 3.20 billion pounds, 3% above last year’s production of 3.12 billion pounds.

U.S. Department of Agriculture announces key staff appointments
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces key staff appointments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the names of individuals who will hold key staff positions in Washington, D.C.

USDA to invest in $92.2 million in grants for local, regional food producers hurt by pandemic
USDA to invest in $92.2 million in grants for local, regional food producers hurt by pandemic

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said  $92.2 million in competitive grant funding is available under the 2018 Farm Bill’s Local Agriculture Market Program(LAMP).

Retail fresh fruit prices jump
Retail fresh fruit prices jump

Fresh fruit prices increased 0.7% from February to March, and are now 5.6% higher than in March 2020, a new Food Price Outlook report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.