Growth slows as world population nears 8 billion
The global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, less than 1 percent a year, said the United Nations on Monday, with the population forecast to pass the milestone of 8 billion on Nov. 15. India was expected to surpass China as the world’s most populous nation next year, with the United States challenged for third place by Nigeria by mid-century.
SNAP should look like WIC, says former agriculture secretary
The food stamp program is a buy “whatever you want to buy” program, including soft drinks, said former agriculture secretary Ann Veneman on Monday, while advocating that benefits be limited to nutritious foods. “What some of us have argued (is) that this food stamp program ought to look a lot more like the WIC program and truly be a nutrition program.”
Half of states have summer EBT plans — USDA
An estimated 13 million children in 25 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will receive benefits through the summer EBT program, said the Agriculture Department on Monday. Families of eligible children typically receive $391 per child for the summer.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Farm bill feedback form: The House Agriculture Committee created a digital comment box for praise or criticism of elements of the 2018 farm bill and suggestions for improvements or additions to the 2023 farm bill. (House Agriculture)
Glyphosate in children’s urine: In CDC testing, about 87 percent of children had detectable levels of glyphosate in their urine, prompting an environmental group to call for the EPA to reduce levels of the weedkiller in the food supply. (Environmental Working Group)
Colorado groundwater conservation easement: A farmer in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado could become the first in the nation to sign a groundwater conservation easement to stop irrigating his 1,800-acre farm and help preserve an aquifer. (Colorado Public Radio)
Closures spoil competition plan: A Justice Department attempt to preserve competition in dairy processing in the upper Midwest was undermined by the closure of two major processing plants. (Food and Power)
Cotton crop struggles: Some 28 percent of the U.S. cotton crop is rated in “poor” or “very poor” condition this week, compared to 9 percent a year ago; in Texas, the No. 1 grower, 41 percent of the crop is poor/very poor due to drought. (USDA)
