In honor of Soy Foods Month this April, an agronomy professor has created an interactive book to help spread the message of Coolbean the Soybean and teach youngsters in grades 3-5 how to think like scientists about the important field of agriculture. “I wanted to develop a fun, yet educational, tool to help teach today’s youth about where food comes …
Many Grocery Prices Down in Marketbasket Survey
According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world, and the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Spring Picnic Marketbasket Survey highlighted a slight decrease in the current retail prices of several popular foods, including salad, orange juice, shredded cheddar, ground chuck, sirloin tip roast, …
NFU Renews Partnership with Feeding America
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has pledged to contribute to nationwide hunger relief through a renewed commitment to Feeding America’s Invest An Acre program aiming to help fight the food insecurity problem for millions of Americans across the country. The organization officially kicked off its fundraising efforts this week following an announcement at the NFU 114th Anniversary Convention in Minneapolis. …
Disappointment Over Senate GMO Labeling Vote
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 …