Farm Bureau seeks ‘unified’ farm bill of agriculture and nutrition aid
The largest U.S. farm group believes “it makes perfect sense” to combine commodity supports and SNAP in the same piece of big-ticket legislation, said president Zippy Duvall in announcing the American Farm Bureau Federation’s farm bill priorities on Thursday. The AFBF called for higher subsidy rates, at a still-to-be-determined cost, and more emphasis on stewardship on working lands rather than long-term idling of cropland.
Food inflation rate slows for first time in 16 months
U.S. food prices are 11.2-percent higher than a year ago, modestly lower than the inflation rate of the previous month and ending a string of month-over-month increases dating from June 2021, said the government on Thursday.
Talks & Eats returns to Brooklyn, 10/24!
The climate crisis in agriculture is a frequent topic of reporting. Climate change is also having a significant effect on wine and beer. How are vintners and brewers responding? In this panel discussion, wine writer Alice Feiring — proclaimed “the queen of natural wines” by the Financial Times — will talk about what she’s seen and what she’s worried about. Garrett Oliver — Brewmaster, The Brooklyn Brewery and Editor-in-Chief, The Oxford Companion to Beer — will talk about the ancient grains he’s now using to brew climate resilient beers. And author Rowan Jacobsen will focus on the explosion of winemaking in the northeast as the climate has warmed. Tickets include complimentary beer and wine. A tax-deductible VIP ticket includes a reception with beer, wine, and eats.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
‘Feeding Our Future’ pleas: Three of the 49 people accused of a $250 million child-nutrition fraud scheme in Minnesota pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and face prison sentences ranging from about two years to nearly five years. (Sahan Journal)
Kroger-Albertsons merger expected: Kroger, which with nearly 2,800 stores is the largest U.S. grocery chain, could announce the all-cash purchase of smaller rival Albertsons as early as Friday. (CNBC)
Ukraine grain exports are jeopardized: Russia might not extend the four-month Black Sea grain export agreement when it expires next month, said the Russian ambassador to the United Nations. (Politico)
Ornithologist, ecologist earn MacArthurs: Joseph Drew Lanham, an ornithologist, naturalist, and writer, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, a plant ecologist, educator, and writer, were among 22 people awarded $800,000 MacArthur Foundation “genius” grants. (MacArthur Foundation)
Drought area grows: With September’s dry weather continuing into October, 55.41 percent of the continental United States was in drought this week, the most extensive coverage since the second week of April. (U.S. Drought Monitor)
Extend formula ‘flexibilities’: The USDA extended through the end of December a funding flexibility that allows states to substitute alternative infant formulas for WIC recipients if the usual size, form, or brand of formula from Gerber or Reckitt Mead Johnson is not available. (USDA)
