SNAP claims larger share of farm bill outlays
The new farm bill could cost nearly $130 billion a year — the highest price tag ever — with public nutrition programs getting more than $4 of every $5, wrote associate professor Roman Keeney in Purdue’s annual agricultural economics review. “The overall budget, and particularly spending on the nutrition title (primarily food assistance for low-income households), should continue to be the most politically divisive component of the farm bill debate.”
Bird flu the cause of high egg prices, says USDA
Egg prices at the grocery store were elevated throughout 2022 due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among egg-laying hens, said USDA economists. “Lower-than-usual shell egg inventories near the end of the year, combined with increased demand stemming from the holiday baking season, resulted in several successive weeks of record-high egg prices.”
AFR LATEST
Why are Pacific salmon shrinking?
Pacific salmon returning to waterways up and down North America are shrinking. The fish are growing more slowly at sea and, in many cases, returning to spawn younger and smaller than ever before. In some places, the biggest, oldest salmon have completely disappeared. Smaller salmon mean big uncertainties for fishermen, processors, and the communities and ecosystems that depend on these fish.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
‘Break up the FDA’: Food and Drug Administration commissioner Robert Califf, who is expected to act by the end of the month, “should be bold” and “break up the FDA into a drug division and an entirely separate food administration with its own commissioner,” said the Washington Post editorial board. (Washington Post)
Growers oppose merger: The Western Growers Association and two other grower groups said they oppose the merger of the Kroger and Albertsons grocery chains because it would decrease competition in the produce sector and reduce farm income. (Western Growers)
Grassley fractures hip: Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the second-oldest U.S. senator and a member of the Agriculture Committee, said Wednesday on social media, “My hip surgery today to repair a fracture was very successful. On my way to a full recovery.” (Sen. Grassley)
Black farmer equity program: Eleven farmers will make up the first cohort of growers in the Black Farmers Equity Initiative and take part in an eight-week program to improve agricultural supply chain access for Black farmers. (National Minority Supplier Development Council)
WHO endorses sugar taxes: The World Health Organization called on countries to “introduce or increase” taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages as a way to reduce consumption of the drinks and reduce the risk of dental problems and chronic disease. (WHO)
