Food insecurity held steady overall in 2021, but decreased among families with children
About one in 10 American households was food insecure at some point in 2021, according to USDA data released on Wednesday — a slight, but not significant, decline from 2020 and 2019, when the rate was 10.5 percent. Food security among families with children improved in 2021, with 12.5 percent of households with kids food insecure, down from 14.8 percent in 2020.
Farmers’ outlook improves, but higher input costs loom as major concern
U.S. commodity growers are feeling a little better about their prospects for the coming year than they were last month, but a number of major concerns persist and overall farmer sentiment remains far gloomier than a year ago, according to the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer for August.
USDA approves genetically engineered purple tomato
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said Wednesday that it had approved the sale of a genetically engineered tomato altered to change its color and enhance its nutritional quality. The purple tomato was developed to have high levels of anthocyanins, which are linked with health benefits.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Exporters abandon port: Ag shippers are looking for alternatives to the Port of Oakland, a key but troubled West Coast shipping point. (Agri-Pulse)
Pressure for wheat: Although prices have cooled from record highs in March, interest in increasing wheat acres or adding the crop back into their mix remains high among farmers. (AgWeb)
Dutch greenhouse crisis: Greenhouses have helped make the Netherlands the world’s second largest agricultural exporter, after the United States, but the European gas crunch is forcing Dutch farmers to make tough decisions. (Reuters)
Funds for regional food support: Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $400 million in USDA funding is available to provide essential local and regional food systems coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building. (USDA)
The return of elk: Centuries ago, elk roamed the eastern U.S. before they were nearly wiped out by hunters. Now a reintroduced herd is thriving in Virginia. (Washington Post)
