fruits

A 2012 change in school meal nutrition standards drove changes in the type of foods schools purchased.  According to data released by ERS this week, following the change in standards, schools obtained more fruits and vegetables through USDA Foods and especially through USDA’s Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  While there w...

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis.  The food index increased 0.8% in September, the same increase as August.  The food at home index rose 0.7% in September as ...

The application period for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is now open in the Gem State. For the current year, the USDA allocated over $2 million to the Idaho state Department of Agriculture to award to projects that enhance the competitiveness of Idaho specialty crops ...

The Specialty crop industry in Idaho will have a little more grant money to use this year. The Idaho state Department of Agriculture announced earlier this month that it will accept applications for an additional $2.8 million in grant money available through the specialty crop block grant program ...

Congratulations to Washington State University, after the school’s WA 38 was nationally recognized as a healthy snack. Judges at Good Housekeeping named the Cosmic Crisp a Healthy Snack Award winner for the second summer in a row. Good Housekeeping’s registered dietitian evaluates hundreds of snacks every year to help families make nutritious choices. The apple ...

Fresh produce continues its steady growth at retail, with increased sales for fruits and vegetables during the fourth quarter of 2020. That’s according to a new report on United Fresh, detailing the fourth quarter of last year and the 2020 year-end report. Amon ...

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier announced she has once again been named to the House Ag Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research. Schrier served on this Subcommittee during the 116th Congress. “The Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research Subcommittee is an important Subcommittee to our district and Washington state, with jurisdiction over policies relating to tree fruit gr

Many in the ag community have expressed an elevated interest in tracking the import of fruits and vegetables. USDA economist, Bart Kenner, took a look at the first 11 months of 2020. "Fresh and frozen fruit imports from Mexico and Chile are down 1% and 4% respectively, but up 16% from Peru ...

Last week, the USDA approved $1.2 billion in contracts for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The program is designed to connect excess meat, dairy and produce on farms with families facing food insecurity. The funding far exceeds the $100 million per month the department initially planned for the program, due to high interest and need ...

This week, the USDA announced details of the $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 in addition to purchases previously announced. The purchases will provide additional support for producers and Americans in need, in response to changing market conditions caused by the COVID-19 national emergency ...