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Regaining Black farmers’ trust is “challenging," says advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture

After the loan repayment assistance program was scrapped, the USDA is having trouble regaining the trust of Black farmers.
"I've heard it said that when other farmers get a cold, Black farmers get pneumonia," said Dewayne Goldmon, senior advisor for racial equity to the Secretary of Agriculture.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

White House moves to stop alleged price gouging

Jul 19, 2023
Food inflation is a major complaint, but some farmers and companies say market forces will keep prices in check.
As grocery prices rose, many critics, including the White House, accused food companies of taking consumers for a ride.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Cultivated meat seeks discerning diners

Jun 26, 2023
The USDA has given approval to the sale of meat grown in laboratories but will consumers take to it?
Cell-cultivated meat will soon be available at a few high-end restaurants in the U.S.
Getty Images

Everyone's got an opinion on proposed USDA nutrition standards for schools — especially the students

Apr 7, 2023
The USDA says kids' health is at stake with the proposed nutrition standards. But some manufacturers say making food with less salt and sugar will cost more, while nutrition directors are worried students won’t eat the meals.
The USDA is currently accepting comments on proposed changes to the nutritional standards of school meals.
Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

USDA proposes rules to expand access to free school lunches

Mar 29, 2023
The agency wants to help more school districts cover the costs of universal free meals.
Universal free meals kept a lot of kids from going hungry at the height of the pandemic, said the Urban Institute's Emily Gutierrez.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

Cultivated meat is on the horizon, but has long way to go before it hits grocery shelves

Mar 24, 2023
The FDA has approved a chicken product grown this way by California-based company Good Meat. It’s only the second company to get that agency’s green light.
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a cultivated chicken meat grown by California-based Good Meat.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

USDA equity commission unveils proposals

Mar 7, 2023
The proposals look to rectify a history of discrimination faced by farmers belonging to minority groups.
The commission, formed by the Biden administration to look into discrimination against minority farmers, released its first report last week.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

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The Census of Agriculture: what it's for, why it matters

Feb 6, 2023
The USDA sends its survey out every five years to create a snapshot of American agriculture, divvy up funds and make policy decisions.
The government uses data from the USDA survey to target resources and inform policy decisions.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Controversy follows changes to federal debt relief program for farmers of color

Aug 22, 2022
A federal program to aid farmers of color has been changed to omit references to race.
A federal program to provide aid to farmers of color was broadened by the recently-passed climate bill and now omits references to race.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Pandemic rules for school lunch program expiring

Jun 6, 2022
The Agriculture Department will soon lose authority to grant waivers allowing kids to get free breakfast and lunch during the pandemic.
Many summer meal sites for students that were open last year won't be open this year, anti-poverty activists say.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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