USDA’s Foods in Schools program needs systematic improvements: GAO

Challenges faced by the program, which provides 15% to 20% of foods used in school lunches, include delivery issues and price fluctuations.

By Naaz Modan • July 21, 2023

Bipartisan effort grows to scrutinize foreign purchases of US farmland

Lawmakers have expressed national security concerns over agricultural acquisitions from companies in China and other countries considered adversaries.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 20, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

By Agriculture Dive staff

USDA teams with states to crack down on anti-competitiveness in food

The agency will work with more than 30 attorneys general to address anti-consumer practices, even as economists remain mixed on market consolidation’s effect on inflation. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 19, 2023

DOJ fails to block US Sugar’s $315M purchase of Imperial Sugar

An appeals court in Philadelphia said the government failed to prove the purchase, first announced in 2021, would raise prices for U.S. consumers and businesses.

By Chris Casey • July 17, 2023

USDA will invest $300M to monitor agriculture’s effect on climate

The funding will improve data collection and help verify emissions reductions from adopting climate-smart farming practices.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 13, 2023

Xochitl Torres Small confirmed as USDA deputy secretary

A former member of the House Agriculture Committee, Torres Small told the Senate she hopes to move the USDA away from a “get big or get out” mentality.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 12, 2023

USDA opens applications for $2.2B in discrimination relief

Women and farmers of color have had less access to credit and are more likely to have their loans rejected.

By Nathan Owens • July 10, 2023

EU food safety regulator says glyphosate safe for agriculture

The decision sets up the potential for renewed approval of the controversial herbicide, a main ingredient in Bayer's Roundup weed killer.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 7, 2023

Europe’s plan for greener farming hits pushback

Danone, Nestle and other major food players say some aspects of the EU's Green Deal for agriculture don't go far enough.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 6, 2023

Tyson drops ‘no antibiotics ever’ label on chicken products

The poultry giant said it is reinstating the use of some antibiotics in its poultry supply chain, but not ones “important to human medicine.”

By Chris Casey • July 5, 2023

Agriculture groups request court to strike down WOTUS rule

The legal motion cited the Supreme Court’s ruling against the EPA over regulating wetlands, tributaries and streams.

By Nathan Owens • June 30, 2023

Bill makes US commodities priority in global food assistance programs

Lawmakers are pushing for more food from U.S. farms to go toward global hunger efforts, as part of the 2023 Farm Bill.

By Nathan Owens • June 29, 2023

McConnell: More farm bill money will be ‘hard to come by’

While the Senate minority leader ruled out the idea of additional funding, lawmakers drafting the bill look to secure resources for crop insurance and other risk management programs.

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 29, 2023

FMI calls for standardization to accomplish FDA’s new food traceability requirements

The trade group noted how GS1 guidelines can be implemented to streamline systems and allow for an easy exchange of information throughout the supply chain.

By Peyton Bigora • June 29, 2023

India lifts retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products

The deal removes additional duties as high as 20% for apples, walnuts and other products. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 27, 2023

California grants pork industry some Prop 12 relief

Industry advocates say the ruling allows a smoother transition for pork already in the supply chain from farms that do not meet the state’s new animal housing requirements.

By Nathan Owens • June 26, 2023

5 trends set to define agriculture in the second half of 2023

With rising input costs, changing weather patterns and the upcoming farm bill, the old ways of doing business may not be working anymore.

By Nathan Owens , Sarah Zimmerman , Shaun Lucas • June 26, 2023

Cultivated meat to enter US market with full USDA approval for Eat Just and Upside Foods

The United States is the second country that will have cultivated meat on the market. It has been available in Singapore since 2020.

By Megan Poinski • Updated June 21, 2023

After Prop 12 ruling, senators propose limits to state regulation of agriculture production

The EATS Act would prohibit states from enacting laws that restrict interstate commerce.

By Nathan Owens • June 21, 2023

USDA looks to make final call on free meal expansion, school nutrition in April 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is determining final regulations over the expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision and stricter school nutrition standards.

By Anna Merod • June 21, 2023

USDA approves ‘cell-cultivated chicken’ label

The federal government’s first decision on what to call poultry made of cells grown in bioreactors will apply to products from Upside Foods and Eat Just.

By Megan Poinski • June 20, 2023

Lawmakers weigh easing food safety rules for small meat operations to address consolidation

Consideration of the PRIME Act comes as the Biden administration works to expand independent processing capacity and break up consolidation in the beef and poultry industries.  

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 16, 2023

USDA takes aim at ‘grass-fed’ and other humane meat labeling claims

The agency is considering whether to strengthen requirements for verifying production practices as the industry faces criticism for potentially misleading consumers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 15, 2023

Lawmakers reintroduce bill to boost offshore aquaculture

NOAA would oversee development of farms in federal waters, spearhead research and innovation to meet growing seafood demand as climate challenges intensify.

By Nathan Owens • June 14, 2023

Trade tensions brew with Mexico over genetically modified corn

Industry officials warn of significant trade and market disruptions if nothing is resolved

By Nathan Owens • June 12, 2023