Despite the best efforts of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Bill in a 48-49 vote today, blocking advancement of the legislation that would create a voluntary federal standard for labeling foods with genetically modified ingredients. Roberts expressed his disappointment at the inability to come to agreement on …
Senate Begins Debate on Food Labeling Bill
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced that the Senate has proceeded to floor debate on his proposed food labeling bill. The bill was created to set a national standard for providing consumers with information about biotechnology. “This legislation is a true compromise,” said Chairman Roberts. “I have worked with my colleagues …
USDA Encourages Small, Healthy Changes in March
The USDA has launched a challenge in honor of National Nutrition Month. The MyPlate, My Wins Challenge encourages people to make a small, simple change towards a healthier lifestyle. Teams or groups can join the challenge online and pledge to consume two foods from each of the My Plate food groups a day and be active twice a day for two …
First Ever Trade Association for Plant-Based Food
The first ever trade group to represent plant-based foods has been launched. The Plant Based Foods Association represents 23 food companies who support consumer health and the environment with a plant-based diet. The purposed of the newly formed group is to educate, promote and advance policies regarding the fast growing sector of plant-based foods. “Every other sector of the food …
#AgVocate Panel Talks About Food News
When it comes to food, what makes the news? This was a topic that was discussed by a panel at the Bayer AgVocate Forum last week in New Orleans. On the panel were Agri-Pulse president Sara Wyant; Forbes contributor and author Kavin Senapathy; and freelancer Lorie Farrell. When asked what is news to you, Lorie said she and her colleagues …
Young Charity Founder is #AgVocate
At 12 years of age, Braeden Mannering has accomplished more for the less fortunate than the majority of adults in this country combined. With the face of an angel, combined with wisdom and compassion beyond his years, the founder of Brae’s Brown Bags, has become a crusader for the hungry and an AgVocate in his own right. Speaking at the …
What’s On America’s Plate? Bayer #AgVocate
This year Bayer CropScience has tweaked their annual pre-Commodity Classic forum. It is now the Bayer AgVocacy Forum. Just keep your eye on #AgVocate on Twitter. Cindy and I will be participating and hearing from numerous speakers on topics like challenges to food, agriculture and consumers needs. Our moderator once again is Frank Sesno. First up on the program is …
#Classic16 Teams with New Orleans Charities
New Orleans has been a hot spot for the agricultural industry the past two weeks and will continue to be so as Commodity Classic (CC) 2016 kicks off this week March 3-5, 2016. Heading in to the show, CC organizers have announced a partnership with two New Orleans-based charities – Second Harvest and The Roots of Music. Attendees of the …
Farm Bureau Donates to Hungry Americans
Farm Bureau‘s “Harvest for All” program raised more than $1.1 million and a record of 48 million pounds of food this year. Both monetary and food donations combined mean a grand total of 49 million meals will be served to hungry Americans. The program, run by the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, is now in its 14th year. Along with …
Don’t Let Sauce Slip From Your Chili Dog
Have you ever eaten a chili dog with a fork and knife? I hope not. It’s just not proper etiquette or necessary. But then how do you eat one without dripping the sauce all over the place. With the help of the Queen of Wein, National Hot Dog and Sausage Council and Washington D.C. landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl we learn …