Opinion: “Let’s help create more farmers”
Noted journalist, author and chef Mark Bittman pens a provocative opinion piece for the New York Times. He identifies an issue most of us are concerned with – the aging …
This summer, the school cafeteria comes to the kids
Nearly 21 million American children eat free and reduced-price meals throughout the school year, through a program administered by the USDA. Feeding those children during the summer presents real challenges. …
It’s planting season behind bars
Across the nation, prisons are reintroducing gardens after a long hiatus. Prisoners are gardening at Rikers and at San Quentin. They’re gardening for a variety of reasons: to give food …
White House releases national strategy to save pollinators
Pollinators play a critical role in supporting food production. About three quarters of all native plants globally require pollination. We can credit pollinators – generally honey bees – with one …
Food industry braces for trans fat ban
The use of trans fat in foods – already down by about 85% in the last decade – is expected to be mostly banned by the FDA in a ruling …
Legislation: USDA would have mandatory recall over contaminated meat and poultry
United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D -N.Y.) introduced legislation that would give the USDA “mandatory recall authority” over contaminated meat and poultry. The proposed legislation was in response to a …
Laws on junk food in schools fail to help poor fight obesity, study says
A research team analyzing the impacts of two California laws that target “competitive food and beverages” – including food sold on campus from vending machines and snack bars – has …
Michelle Obama looks to the future of “Let’s Move”
Five years after launching Let’s Move, Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity is highly visible. She’s danced with Big Bird, with late night television host Jimmy Fallon and has …
After months of talking up potential changes to the food stamp program (SNAP – supplemental nutrition assistance program), GOP congressional leaders are now indicating they will not to try to …
Opinion: “Renegade Lunch Lady” on school lunches…opting out is not an option
Chef Ann Cooper is a well-known author, chef and educator. An advocate for better food for all children, she has been a chef for more than 30 years, with over …