Allow SNAP purchase of hot foods, say lawmakers
The new farm bill should allow the purchase of hot foods with food stamps, said a letter signed by one-fifth of U.S. senators and representatives. The prohibition on hot food, in place since SNAP was created, “is no longer an accurate reflection of American families’ dietary or lifestyle needs,” said the lawmakers in a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
Crop insurance reform could save billions of dollars
Congress could achieve significant savings in the crop insurance program by reducing guaranteed payments to insurers and requiring wealthy operators to pay more for taxpayer-subsidized coverage, said the Government Accountability Office on Monday. The reforms could save billions of dollars on a program estimated to cost $101 billion over the next decade.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
White House veto threat: The so-called Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act would limit the EPA’s rulemaking power and undermine the development of lower-emission vehicles such as electric cars, said the White House, which threatened to veto the House bill. (The Washington Examiner)
Meatless school meals: Hundreds of school districts offer vegan or vegetarian entrées in their cafeteria lunch lines, a reflection of a cultural shift in the country, say vendors and nutrition activists. (Ambrook)
Climate in the farm bill: With the UN climate summit underway, Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow said, “One of my top priorities is writing a farm bill that will allow American agriculture to continue to lead on climate.” (Stabenow)
Vilsack speaks at COP28: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will speak about the USDA’s initiative on climate-smart agriculture and the international Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate at the climate summit at the end of this week. (FERN’s Ag Insider)
Year of the camelids: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization launched the International Year of Camelids, which include camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, to celebrate the animals’ role in providing milk, meat, food, fiber, and transport, even in harsh climates. (FAO)
