The agency has finalized stricter stocking standards requiring 250,000 stores to carry 28 varieties of whole foods while launching private sector partnerships to promote national dietary guidelines... Read More
Former FDA policy manager Eric Stevens is set to join the International Fresh Produce Association to lead global regulatory engagement and science-based policy... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
With the boxing legend declaring “processed food kills” and federal leaders pledging to redirect billions in nutrition dollars, the rollout delivered a forceful message in favor of fresh produce and whole proteins... Read More
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... Read More
As SNAP restrictions expand, independent grocers seek clarity on value-added produce to avoid “good faith” errors and potential program disqualification... Read More
A recent webinar explores how a tight labor market reduces domestic production and ultimately puts upward pressure on food pricing. .. Read More
Some key political moves at USDA and nationwide had big impacts on produce-providing programs like SNAP and WIC in 2025... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
As the 42 million people who receive SNAP benefits await payment, food rescue nonprofit Sharing Excess has launched a website that aims to connect food distribution centers with people in need... Read More
To learn more about how the pause to SNAP benefits could impact everyone from farmers to retailers to consumers, The Packer spoke with The Alliance to End Hunger President Eric Mitchell... Read More
Democratic-led states sue to block Nov. 1 SNAP cutoff during shutdown, saying benefit halt violates federal law, risks hunger for millions... Read More
Since the “Liberation Day” roll out of tariffs, “it’s been constant turmoil” for anybody dealing with imported products, said one panelist at the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show... Read More
“What I’ve found here at Climate Week, is that people want to be part of the change. They want to be part of the solution,” says Sara Roversi of Future Food Institute... Read More
Organizations in the food recovery and food insecurity space say ending this report will mask the lack of investment in SNAP and other programs... Read More
The Department of Health and Human Services has released its strategy to address children’s health from its Make America Healthy Again Commission, and IFPA says it welcomes the focus on nutrition, calling for a produce-first national health strategy. .. Read More
“Disinformation online is a threat to the entire U.S. agricultural system, and it is important that everyone in the industry makes decisions based on facts and scientific evidence,” says co-founder Jenny Du... Read More
To learn more about what’s ahead for the nutrition program that serves nearly 7 million people across the U.S., The Packer recently sat down with National WIC Association President and CEO Georgia Machell. .. Read More
With the termination, the department issued an antidumping duty order, resulting in duties of 17.09% on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico... Read More
From SNAP benefit reform and fraud crackdown to the continuation of mass deportations with “no amnesty,” here’s how the USDA’s newly launched National Farm Security Action Plan may impact the fresh produce industry... Read More
Added By Kara Badder
