Stories by USDA Newswire on Federal Newswire

News Release: The American Families Plan encourages family farms to stay in the family and does not tax farm and asset transfer to family members upon death WASHINGTON, April 28, 2021 — The American Families Plan includes critical tax reform to ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes in order to finance ...

FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic

News Release: USDA Has Deployed 1,232 Disaster, Public Health Specialists to Assist with Federal Response WASHINGTON, Apr. 28, 2021 — In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan is driven by science, data, and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust, accountability and a sense of common purpose in our response to the pandemic.

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Mexico Supreme Court Ruling in Favor of U.S. Potato Growers

News Release: WASHINGTON, April 28, 2021 — "Mexico’s Supreme Court released a final, unanimous ruling today on a case that puts U.S. fresh potatoes one step closer to finally gaining access to Mexico following nearly 20 years of negotiations. This decision is important for American agriculture and for positive bilateral ...

USDA Hosts First-Ever Virtual Fair on Food Waste Reduction Innovations and Leaders

News Release: WASHINGTON, April 28, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will host the first-ever Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair on May 26 (12 - 4 p.m. ET), to showcase USDA investments and business leadership in reducing food loss and waste throughout the food system.

USDA to Incentivize Purchase of Fruits and Vegetables under WIC for 4 Months with American Rescue Plan Funding

News Release: WASHINGTON, April 28, 2021 – Participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may soon see a temporary increase to their benefits for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. With $490 million provided by the American ...

USDA to Incentivize Purchase of Fruits and Vegetables under WIC for 4 Months with American Rescue Plan Funding

Release: Washington - Participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may soon see a temporary increase to their benefits for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. With $490 million provided by the American Rescue Plan...

Statement from Secretary Vilsack on Mexico Ruling in Favor of U.S. Potato Growers

News Release: Washington - "Mexico’s Supreme Court released a final, unanimous ruling today on a case that puts U.S. fresh potatoes one step closer to finally gaining access to Mexico following nearly 20 years of negotiations. This decision is important for American agriculture and for positive bilateral relations...

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Unknown Destinations

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 101,600 metric tons of corn delivery to unknown destinations. Of the total, 50,800 metric tons is for delivery during the 2020/2021 marketing year and 50,800 metric tons is for delivery during the 2021/2022 marketing year.

Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Intent to Nominate Jennifer Lester Moffitt to Serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

News Release: WASHINGTON, April 27, 2021 – “Jenny Lester Moffitt’s nomination to serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs demonstrates that USDA is committed to putting the perspective of our producers at the heart of what we do. Jenny currently serves as the Undersecretary at the California ...

Chairman Scott Applauds USDA RCPP Grants Announcements

News Release: WASHINGTON - House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement in response to USDA awarding 85 new partnership projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)...

USDA Seeks Public Input on Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Deregulation of Maize Developed Using Genetic Engineering

Release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement to examine the potential environmental impacts that may result from approving a petition from Bayer CropScience ...

USDA Agency and Company Partner to Explore Personal Care Products from Hemp

News Release: Expanding the market for hemp seed oil is the goal of a new cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) involving Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and the Midwest Bioprocessing Center (MBC ), a Peoria, Illinois-based firm specializing in organic chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Pandemic EBT - Summer 2021 | Hear What They’re Saying

News Release: WASHINGTON, April 26, 2021 – Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new effort funded by the American Rescue Plan to provide adequate nutrition to more than 30 million children over the summer by expanding Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits. Agriculture ...

USDA to Provide Critical Nutrition Assistance to 30M+ Kids Over the Summer

News Release: Builds on Proven Solution to Combat Child Food Insecurity WASHINGTON, April 26, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a new effort funded by the American Rescue Plan to provide adequate nutrition to more than 30 million children over the summer by expanding Pandemic Electronic ...

USDA to Provide Critical Nutrition Assistance to 30M+ Kids Over the Summer

Release: Looking for information about P-EBT or school meals?Please check with your state; for a list of contacts, visit here. For other questions about nutrition assistance, call the Hunger Hotline at: 1-866-3-HUNGRY (in English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (en español).

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Unknown Destinations

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 120,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 2021/2022 marketing year.

Pandemic EBT - Summer 2021 | Hear What They’re Saying

Release: Washington - Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new effort funded by the American Rescue Plan to provide adequate nutrition to more than 30 million children over the summer by expanding Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called this expansion of P-EBT benefits over the summer “a first-of-its-kind, game-changing intervention to reduce child hunger in the United States.".

USDA Takes Action Against California Retailers for Rules Violations

Release: SAN FRANCISCO, April 26, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced it has taken action against 37 California retailers suspected of violating USDA rules for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Chairman Scott Announces Staff Additions, Promotions