Cattle and biofuels clamor for aid, as Schumer proposes broader plan
Restaurants shutter, leaving prospects uncertain for millions
Restaurants and bars in many states and the nations biggest cities started closing their doors on Monday in response to the coronavirus epidemic, threatening the livelihoods of millions of restaurant workers.<strong> (No paywall) </strong>
Local farmers need federal support, Pingree says
As the spread of the novel coronavirus shutters businesses, schools, and restaurants, farmers who sell locally and regionally need support from the federal government, said Rep. Chellie Pingree in a letter sent Monday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. <strong>(No paywall)</strong>
USDA approves telework in DC region after coronavirus case
The USDA shut down part of its mammoth Washington headquarters after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus. It also announced that "maximized telework is available" beginning Tuesday.<strong>(No paywall)</strong>
A Brooklyn co-op hustles as food demand spikes
Like other grocery stores in New York City, the Park Slope Food Co-op, in Brooklyn, is out of hand sanitizer. But even with 17,000 members and weekly sales of $1.23 million, shelves at one of the nation’s oldest and largest food co-ops are nearly full. “We got the hang of it very quickly after the initial enormous jolt of extra purchases hit 15 days ago,” Joe Holtz, the co-op’s general manager and co-founder, said late last week. <strong>(No paywall)</strong>
Covid-19 relief bill suspends SNAP work and training requirements
The Senate is expected to vote this week on the House-passed Covid-19 relief bill that suspends work and job-training requirement for SNAP recipients, a step that could preserve benefits for hundreds of thousands of people. "I believe the vast majority of Senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers, families, and small businesses," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the weekend.<strong>(No paywall)</strong>
As coronavirus spreads, farmers fear market closures and lost income
Communities across the country are attempting to delay the spread of the novel coronavirus by canceling large events, closing schools, and banning large gatherings. But farmers who sell directly to consumers, through farmers' markets or other channels, are concerned about how their farms will survive if those outlets temporarily shutter.<strong>(No paywall)</strong>
Retailers, officials insist the food supply is strong as grocery stores are emptied
A recent surge of demand has emptied some grocery store shelves of staples, as shoppers concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus prepare to self-isolate at home. But the U.S. has plenty of food and Americans should not panic, urged food retailers, producers, and the federal government over the weekend.<strong>(No paywall)</strong>
Judge tells USDA to move quickly on organic livestock rule
The USDA admitted to flaws in the analysis it used to kill a regulation setting animal welfare standards for organic farms, and now faces a Sept. 8 deadline to publish a final rule with the updated cost-benefit analysis. “After these many efforts, the department should move quickly,” wrote U.S. district judge Rosemary Collyer granting voluntary remand to the USDA.
More than $1 billion for public nutrition in COVID-19 bill
The government would provide lunch money for low-income children shut out of school meals by COVID-19 closures under the "families first" bill proposed by House Democrats. The bill would provide an additional $1 billion for other public nutrition programs. <strong>(No paywall)</strong>
In a wink to Congress, Perdue concedes on crop insurance
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue reached back to his days as a governor to explain why the Trump administration proposed a 31-percent cut in crop insurance funding even if the plan has no traction on Capitol Hill.
Farm and ethanol leaders to administration: Don’t file that appeal
President Trump will endanger his standing with farmers, who voted for him in landslide numbers in 2016, if his administration appeals a U.S. appellate court ruling against RFS exemptions, said ag and biofuel leaders on Wednesday.
Labor shortages, SNAP cuts, trade deals: How could coronavirus affect our food supply chain?
Although U.S. shoppers concerned about the coronavirus pandemic have largely emptied stores of paper products and household cleaning supplies, so far most other grocery aisles remain stocked. Still, as the virus spreads across the U.S., it could expose other weaknesses in our food supply chain, experts say. <strong>(No paywall)</strong>
Legislation calls for measuring conservation results
For the first time, the USDA would assess the results of its land stewardship programs, such as tons of carbon sequestered in the soil or reductions in nutrient runoff, under companion bills filed in the House and Senate on Wednesday.
First increase in Nebraska farmland values in six years
Farmland in Nebraska is worth 3 percent more than it was a year ago, an average of $2,730 an acre, said an annual report by the University of Nebraska on Wednesday. It was the first increase in agricultural land values in the state since they peaked in 2014.
SNAP eligibility rules will tighten despite coronavirus outbreak
At the same time he raised the possibility of pandemic benefits, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Tuesday that stricter SNAP time limits will take effect, as scheduled, on April 1 for able-bodied adults. House Democrats have suggested higher benefits and broader SNAP availability to carry low-income workers through quarantines and economic disruptions due to the new coronavirus.
Brazil and Argentina grow half of world’s soybeans
USDA will help ‘keep the kids fed’ during Covid-19, says Perdue
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told school food directors on Monday the government will help them continue feeding children if schools are closed due to Covid-19. “If schools are closed, we are going to do our very best to see you all have the tools you need to keep the kids fed,” he said at a School Nutrition Association conference.
Coronavirus forces delays in food and ag meetings
Organizers announced the delay of three conferences, involving dairy farmers, consumer activists and hemp entrepreneurs, because of the widening outbreak of the coronavirus on Monday. And the government said a meeting of the Dietary Guidelines advisory committee on Thursday and Friday "will move to an online-only format out of an abundance of caution in response to travel restrictions imposed by some of the members' employers."
Covid-19 drives emergency steps for school food in two states
The USDA approved requests from California and Washington State to provide free meals to low-income students when schools are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. The waivers, good through June 30, were the first by USDA to help schools deal with the disease in part by allowing them to stop serving meals in group settings, such as a cafeteria.