Vilsack calls for structural changes in U.S. food distribution systems to deal with hunger, equity
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the need for structural changes to U.S. food distribution systems in order to tackle hunger, strengthen equity, and increase access to school meals during his keynote address Wednesday at the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, a multi-day event co-sponsored by Feeding America and the Food Research and Action Center, in cooperation with the National CACFP Forum.
USDA: Student participation in school meal programs dropped by a third last year
Student participation in school meal programs dropped 30 percent in the first nine months of the pandemic, according to new USDA data, leaving kids without meals amid acute rates of food insecurity and draining the programs of critical revenue.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Tai confirmed as U.S. trade rep: Katherine Tai, a longtime congressional staff lawyer, won Senate confirmation on Wednesday as the first woman of color to serve as the top U.S. trade negotiator. (Washington Post)
Mexico to crack down on migrants: Mexico is preparing to significantly reinforce efforts to detain U.S.-bound migrants who illegally cross its border with Guatemala. (Reuters)
More meatpacking workers vaccinated: Tyson Foods says 15,000 of its workers have been vaccinated at 30 vaccine sites across the country, and plans this week to expand its vaccination efforts to more of its workers in Arkansas and Missouri. (Joplin Globe)
Short corn more storm resistant: The chemical company Bayer found that its test fields of “short-stature corn” survived last year’s Iowa derecho better than tall corn; the company expects to start selling the new corn variety in 2023. (Des Moines Register)
