More students in jeopardy if USDA tightens SNAP rules
Two weeks ago, the USDA said that up to 982,000 children would lose automatic access to free meals at school under its plan to tighten SNAP eligibility rules. Now a study by the Urban Institute says an additional 1.05 million children would be affected indirectly because they attend schools in low-income areas that serve meals for free to all students.
Two ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats vote against House impeachment inquiry
House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson and committee member Jeff Van Drew voted against the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry of President Trump on Thursday, though both men said they are reserving judgment on impeachment itself.
USDA to move two agencies to Pennsylvania Avenue — in Kansas City
The USDA has a permanent home for two research agencies, four months after announcing they would move to “the Kansas City region” and weeks after employees began reporting to work at temporary quarters.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Goodbye, old veggie burgers (Bloomberg): Burger King is parting ways with its Morningstar Farms veggie burger to make way for the Impossible Whopper, made with a plant-based burger from newcomer Impossible Foods.
EPA was hazy on formula (DTN/Progressive Farmer): The EPA’s briefing for farm and ethanol groups about how it would make up for ethanol gallons “lost” to RFS exemptions starting in 2020 did not match the formula laid out in its official proposal, offered two weeks later, say the groups.
USDA is pushed to implement organic livestock rule (OTA): In a motion for summary judgment, the Organic Trade Association asked a federal judge to rule in its favor and require the USDA to implement the welfare standards for organic livestock that were proposed by the Obama administration and then withdrawn after President Trump took office.
Plan would scrap bacon and hot dogs (WJLA-TV): Mary Cheh, a member of the D.C. Council, proposed a bill to eliminate processed meat from hospital menus in the nation’s capital and replace it with plant-based options.
