U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA has announced additional disaster and pandemic assistance for farmers, plus there is more funding for climate smart ag on the way.
Data released by USDA on Monday shows the farm share of the U.S. food dollar hit an all-time low in 2021. However, USDA says the decrease doesn’t necessarily mean producers are making less.
USDA announced on Tuesday a $24 million investment to “teach and train” beginning farmers and ranchers through NIFA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).
Purchases will be made with the purpose of encouraging the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce, the USDA says.
The USDA has announced new resources to help local and regional food systems leaders prepare and respond to disruptions to their food systems.
USDA Market News will now report lime prices similar to the manner in which apple, cucumber and bell pepper prices are reported.
The funding is earmarked to educate small-scale, underserved and organic farmers on risk management and climate-smart practices.
The USDA plans to buy the fruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.
A pandemic-era program that provided free breakfast and lunch to all schoolchildren expired this year. Republicans voted against efforts to include free school meals this week. Biden’s plan reinstates the program.
USDA says the organizations were selected for their proven track records working with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery workers. The funds amount to $600 per person and will be dispersed in the fall.
USDA seeks input on how to identify those who experienced discrimination and what kind of evidence should be submitted to back up the claims.
The Fertilizer Research Act has been introduced by three senators to require USDA to study competition and trends in the fertilizer market.
Two new programs are designed to help specialty crop growers gain access to processing facilities following a natural disaster and expand market opportunities.
The fresh produce is set for distribution to The Emergency Food Assistance Program and other related domestic food assistance programs.
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.
Five vendors have been awarded contracts to supply apples for the nearly $600,000 purchase.
“Too many family farmers remain in limbo” after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, says a National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition policy specialist.
In an announcement on Saturday, Trump said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”
As the list continues to evolve, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly playing an active role in the cabinet selection.
The committee meets at least twice a year to develop recommendations on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry.
The agency, which intends to issue a direct delivery contract, has scheduled the call for Aug. 9. Offerors can submit questions in advance by Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. CT.
The modification consolidates geographic districts under the marketing order and reapportions committee membership among producers and handlers.
The USDA and the U.S. trade representative’s office are accepting applications for new members to serve on agricultural trade advisory committees.
Funded projects include the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board’s initiative to promote the consumption of Michigan-grown asparagus.
The newly redesigned application offers the public access to maps and accompanying data to help visualize, download and analyze ag census data down to the county level.
The meeting will “examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas on how the USDA can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the U.S. produce industry,” the USDA said.
The United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to include them in any revisions or evaluations of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
How do companies with no warehouse or logistic capabilities win a federal contract to supply produce boxes to food banks?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Double D Sales Co. Inc. for violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
U.S. fresh oranges and tangerines showed the best year-over-year growth of any major fresh commodity in export sales in the year from May 2019 through April this year.