U.S. should increase aid to farmers and food assistance programs — survey
More than 60 percent of consumers across the political spectrum support increasing government support for both farmers and food assistance as a response to inflation, according to a survey released last week by the University of Illinois.
Gov. Newsom signs a fast-food labor bill but takes a measured approach toward ag
As he prepares for a possible presidential run, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has burnished some of his progressive credentials with a flurry of new legislation. On Monday, he rattled the fast food industry by signing a bill that could increase fast food workers’ minimum wages to as much as $22 an hour, and he has made national news for his aggressive new policies to address the climate crisis.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Bayer rejects ‘global’ Roundup settlement: Bayer AG is rejecting a proposed “global resolution plan” put forward by plaintiffs’ lawyers as a last chance to try to settle tens of thousands of pending Roundup cancer claims before a wave of new trials get underway. (Unspun)
Biden’s climate adviser headed out: Gina McCarthy, President Biden’s top climate adviser, will leave her job on Sept. 16, just weeks after the president signed a landmark climate bill to slow the pace of global warming. (New York Times)
Healthier school lunch: Following implementation of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the percentage of fruits and vegetables supplied by the USDA to schools rose sharply, while cheese, poultry and red meat declined. (USDA ERS)
Walmart’s beef stake: Walmart’s recent deal for a minority stake in Sustainable Beef — a rancher-owned beef processor based in North Platte, Nebraska — helps the retail giant lock in a source for beef amid tighter meat supplies and high boxed-beef prices. (DTN)
Really hot food trucks: Workers in California food trucks face extreme heat — “If it’s 100 degrees outside, then inside the truck it’ll be about 115 degrees,” said Maricruz Solano, who works on a truck in south Los Angeles. (LAist)
ON THE CALENDAR
Tuesday
Hunger Free America releases a survey by Kupersmit Research on how higher SNAP benefits and child tax credits have affected hunger rates among low-income families with children. House Rules chairman Jim McGovern, a leading congressional advocate of public nutrition programs, will take part in a news conference online about the survey, 1 p.m. ET.
Purdue University releases the monthly Ag Economy Barometer, a gauge of the health of the agricultural economy.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
USDA releases annual Food Security in the United States report with data for 2021, 9 a.m. ET. A year ago, the USDA said 10.5 percent of U.S. households were food insecure during 2020, meaning they had difficulty at some point that year in providing enough food for everyone because of a lack of resources. The USDA will hold a webinar on the report at 1 p.m. ET.
Senate Finance Committee votes on nomination of Douglas McKalip to be U.S. chief agricultural negotiator, 10 a.m. ET, 215 Dirksen.
Authors Michael Beckley and Hal Brands discuss their book,”Danger Zone: The coming conflict with China,” which posits “the US-China rivalry will reach its moment of maximum danger in the 2020s,” 10 a.m. ET, American Enterprise Institute. Nearly $1 of every $5 of U.S. farm exports is shipped to China.
House Education and Labor subcommittee hearing online, “Children at risk: Examining workplace protections for child farmworkers,” noon ET.
Dow Jones holds 14th annual OPIS RFS, RINs and Biofuel Forum, through Friday, Chicago.
USDA releases annual Citrus Fruits report, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, “Power in the Pacific: Unlocking offshore wind energy for the American West,” 3 p.m. ET, Morro Bay, California.
Purdue University holds Digital Ag Showcase, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Plant Based Foods Association holds Plant Based World Expo, through Friday, New York City.
Friday
Opening day of Kansas State Fair, through Sept. 18, Hutchinson, Kansas.
