Marketing

Farmers to Families Food Box Program contracts for $1.2B with farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 8 approved $1.2 billion in contracts to support American producers and communities in need through the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program. “This is a new,... more »

University of Georgia shares guidelines for ag operations under COVID-19

Farmers and food processors take routine steps to reduce the likelihood of foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella and E. coli, contacting our food and causing illness. The procedures that our food industry takes on a daily... more »

WIC Benefit Flexibility during COVID-19 welcomed by United Fresh

United Fresh Produce Association applauds the introduction of the WIC Benefit Flexibility During COVID-19 Act which will increase the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables in the Women, Infants, and Children’s program (WIC) to... more »

Proposed rule to increase onion assessment rate

The USDA has issued a proposed rule in conformance with Executive Orders 13563 and 13175, which would increase the assessment rate from $0.10 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled to... more »

BREAKING: $470M in food purchases added by USDA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced May 4 details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, in addition to purchases previously announced, which... more »

Driscoll’s starts selling ‘Berry Big’ strawberries

Driscoll’s in May will begin selling “Berry Big Strawberries,” which it is marketing as larger-sized strawberries, each requiring more than one bite to finish. The quantity of the berries is limited, and “captures the beginning... more »

Consumers connected with farms in southwest Florida with new website

Southwest Florida agricultural producers are encouraged to become familiar with the new “SWFL Fresh” brand website, which is one step closer to becoming live. Following is an update from Jessica Mendes Ryals, sustainable food systems agent... more »

Strawberry consumption improves heart health in teenaged males

The 2019 Berry Health Benefits Symposium resulted in a collection of papers recently published in the journal Food & Function. Among the papers was “Effects of short-term consumption of strawberry powder on select parameters of... more »