POLICY
NCAE President John Hollay reports a change in how legislators and federal agencies view H-2A reform, pivoting toward a collaborative approach to protect the U.S. food economy.
USDA says it will provide $1 billion in assistance for specialty crops, sugar and commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance program, but with $500 million in losses to just russet potatoes alone, the figure falls well short of the full funding needed.
The Packer sat down with the International Fresh Produce Association team to learn how the organization supports its members locally and connects them globally — all with the aim of increasing fresh produce consumption.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján introduces the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act. State lawmakers across the country are working to protect family grocery bills and ban electronic shelf labels.
Growers are navigating a harsh reality of a tightening squeeze between rising production costs and stagnant wholesale returns as they wait for a market correction.
From 25 years of negotiations in Mexico to the halls of Congress, The Packer’s 2026 Potato Person of the Year, Jared Balcom, says that honest dialogue and grower expertise are key to advocating for the industry on a global stage.
The National Grocers Association praises a push for federal investigations into discriminatory pricing practices, arguing that enforcing antitrust laws is essential to leveling the playing field for independent grocers.
As the industry transitions to an interim final rule and new wage methodologies, experts say the difference between a routine application and a costly audit lies in the fine print of job orders.
Economic losses to specialty crops last year were on a level that can put farming operations out of business, with the American Farm Bureau Federation estimating billions in losses to almonds, apples, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries and blueberries alone.
The court issued more rulings Wednesday but did not act in the tariffs case, which was argued on Nov. 5.
As the MAHA movement gains bipartisan momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms, the National Potato Council celebrates a win for “whole foods” while bracing for new definitions of ultra-processed products.
After years of unsustainable labor costs the industry welcomes an interim final rule that offers immediate financial relief and a path toward long-term stability.
As H-2A costs climb toward $30 an hour, Western Growers’ Walt Duflock warns that half of California’s farmers could disappear by 2052 without a revolution in harvest tech.
The Organic Trade Association says the proposed legislation would make essential improvements to expand U.S. farmers’ and manufacturers’ capacity to meet the demands of the growing organic marketplace.
Some key political moves at USDA and nationwide had big impacts on produce-providing programs like SNAP and WIC in 2025.
A recent webinar explores how a tight labor market reduces domestic production and ultimately puts upward pressure on food pricing.
The National Council of Agricultural Employers says the state’s Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act strips American farmers and ranchers of their First Amendment rights.
The act calls for codifying the recent change in the methodology for calculating the Adverse Effect Wage Rate and streamlining the H-2A visa process.
Just the russet variety of potatoes alone are looking at $500 million in losses this year, says National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles.
H-2A overhaul brings much-needed visa streamlining and AEWR relief, while court battles and implementation questions remain.
Farmers need to be prepared to pay substantially more for their coverage in 2026, unless Congress acts now to address the impending price surge.
Canadian Produce Marketing Association President Ron Lemaire has shared the Dec. 8 letter he penned to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian government officials urging for the full 16-year renewal of the North American agreement.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says 18 states now have a measure in place to restrict the purchase of certain items and that the USDA will allocate $700 million to regenerative ag.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says it stands “ready to work with the administration and Congress to advance a meaningful assistance package to support specialty crop growers during this difficult period.”
A panel discussion at the New York Produce Show’s Global Trade Symposium on Dec. 2, explored the many challenges facing the North American fresh produce industry when it comes to tariffs and trade wars.
The court’s action allows the administration for now to continue withholding about $4 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps.
The Trump administration told the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that it continues to seek a halt of a judge’s order to fully fund the benefits unless there was an end to the government shutdown.
The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to halt Thursday’s decision by a Rhode Island judge requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to spend $4 billion set aside for other purposes to ensure Americans receive full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.
In a memo signed by Patrick Penn, deputy under secretary of the Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, USDA said FNS would complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to EBT processors Nov. 7.
Department of Justice in a filing on Friday says judges have no power to appropriate or spend federal money.