Farm groups’ goal: Fill ‘USDA’s bank’ with cash for coronavirus aid   The two largest U.S. farm groups want lawmakers to nearly double the funding for “USDA’s bank,” the Depression-era vehicle for multibillion-dollar Trump tariff payments, and give Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue the power to help farmers and ranchers through… Continue reading

Boost SNAP benefits by 15 percent to weather coronavirus, says think tank   Just as lawmakers temporarily increased food stamp benefits during the Great Recession of 2008-09, Congress should boost benefits to help poor families cope with the economic downturn that is accompanying efforts to slow the spread of the… Continue reading

As Senate passes coronavirus relief package, farm groups call for support in next round   The Senate voted on Wednesday to pass an emergency aid package that will, among other provisions, expand funding for nutrition programs as the nation confronts the economic toll of the spreading coronavirus. As the bill… Continue reading

Empty shelves will soon be ‘a thing of the past,’ says grocery supply expert As the novel coronavirus spreads, many people have stocked up on pantry items and paper products in anticipation of hunkering down at home for an extended period, creating temporary shortages of certain products. To better understand… Continue reading

Cattle and biofuels clamor for aid, as Schumer proposes broad plan   Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue should tap “USDA’s bank,” a Depression-era agency with easy access to billions of dollars, to bail out cattle ranchers hit by sharp declines in beef prices as Covid-19 mounts, said ranch activists on Monday…. Continue reading

Covid-19 relief bill suspends SNAP work and training requirements   The Senate is expected to vote this week on the House-passed Covid-19 relief bill that suspends work and job-training requirements for SNAP recipients, a step that could preserve benefits for hundreds of thousands of people. “I believe the vast majority… Continue reading

More than $1 billion for public nutrition in COVID-19 bill   The government would provide lunch money for low-income children shut out of school meals by COVID-19 closures under the “families first” bill proposed by House Democrats. The bill would provide an additional $1 billion for other public nutrition programs…. Continue reading

Farm and ethanol leaders to administration: Don’t file that appeal   President Trump will endanger his standing with farmers, who voted for him in landslide numbers in 2016, if his administration appeals a U.S. appellate court ruling against RFS exemptions, said ag and biofuel leaders on Wednesday.   Labor shortages,… Continue reading

SNAP eligibility rules will tighten despite coronavirus outbreak   At the same time he raised the possibility of pandemic benefits, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Tuesday that stricter SNAP time limits will take effect, as scheduled, on April 1 for able-bodied adults.   Brazil and Argentina grow half of… Continue reading

USDA will help ‘keep the kids fed’ during Covid-19, says Perdue Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told school food directors on Monday the government will help them continue feeding children if schools close due to Covid-19. Coronavirus forces delays in food and ag meetings Organizers announced the delay of three conferences,… Continue reading