Report urges ‘radical systemic’ change in U.S. food and nutrition policy
With the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health weeks away, a broad group of advocates, academics and experts on Tuesday called for “radical systemic changes” in order to address food insecurity, diet-related disease and health inequities.
USDA extends WIC waivers for infant formula to Dec. 31
With shortages continuing in parts of the country, the USDA extended on Tuesday a series of waivers that give WIC households additional options for buying infant formula. The waivers were set to expire on Sept. 30 but now would run through the end of the year.
USDA offers $100 million for biofuel infrastructure
The government will pay up to half of the cost of installing pumps, tanks and other equipment at gas stations and other retailers that want to sell higher blends of biofuels, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday. Projects would receive cost-share grants drawn from $100 million available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIPP).
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
A failed run for Florida office: In a landslide vote, Florida Democrats on Tuesday chose veteran Rep. Charlie Crist as their nominee for governor over state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a newcomer elected to statewide office in 2018. In New York, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, easily won the Democratic nomination for his sixth term in the House. (Ag Insider)
Urban crops, high yields: Urban gardeners and hydroponics can match and sometimes exceed the yields of farm-grown produce, with cucumbers, tubers and lettuces showing the highest yields, according to a survey of urban agriculture studies from 53 countries. (American Geophysical Union)
New Equity Commission subcommittee: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed a 12-member subcommittee on rural development as part of the Equity Commission that is examining USDA programs for systemic racism. (USDA)
Bird flu vaccine debate: Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza persist in the United States, prompting a renewed debate in the poultry industry whether to embrace bird flu vaccines. (Watt Ag Net)
U.S. trees in danger: As many as one in six trees native to the continental United States are in danger of extinction because of global warming, invasive insects and disease, according to the journal Plants, People, Planet. (Washington Post)
Worst drought in 500 years: Two-thirds of Europe is under some sort of drought warning, according to the Global Drought Observatory; the European Commission said preliminary data suggest “the current drought appears to be the worst since at least 500 years.” (BBC)
