In response to a request for information to help define “ultra-processed foods,” the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). AFFI urged the agencies to not issue a proposed definition for UPFs at this moment, adding that classifying foods based on […]
Tag: USDA
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA, Food Industry Groups Seek USDA Clarity On Penny Shortage, SNAP Rounding
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has joined with other food-industry associations in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue immediate guidance to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-authorized retailers amid the continuing national penny shortage. In a joint letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the groups asked the USDA to clarify how retailers can lawfully manage […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, National, News
Study: SNAP Restrictions Could Cost Retailers $1.6B To Implement
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), National Grocers Association and FMI – The Food Industry Association have released the “SNAP Restrictions Impact Analysis,” which estimates that the costs food retailers will face under proposed restrictions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will total about $1.6 billion. That amount is equal to 1.9 percent […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, News
Kraft Heinz Commits To Remove FD&C Colors By 2027
The Kraft Heinz Co. announced it will not launch any new products in the U.S. with Food, Drug & Cosmetic colors, effective immediately, and will remove the remaining FD&C colors from its U.S. product portfolio before the end of 2027. To date, nearly 90 percent of Kraft Heinz’s U.S. products are free of FD&C colors (by […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
Produce Coalition Requests Information On USDA’s Farm Wage Rate
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and the NC Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC) have assembled a five-state, 30-organization coalition comprised of two national produce organizations, representing a diverse collection of crops including eight advocacy groups, with the mission of filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
USDA Accepts Pasturebird’s Petition To Update Pasture-Raised Definition
Pasturebird has successfully petitioned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update its definition of “pasture-raised” meat and poultry. After years of advocating for a clear and common-sense definition, Pasturebird and Perdue Farms helped shoppers distinguish “free range” from “pasture-raised” chicken. The new animal-raising labeling guidelines require that “pasture-raised” animals must be on pasture […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Slider, National
National Bacon Day Notes The Popularity Of Pork Belly
National Bacon Day is Dec. 30, and Americans are enjoying the cut of meat in more ways than ever before, according to an article by Adam Russell with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The National Pork Board reported U.S. consumption of bacon increased 2.4 percent from 2001-2013, with Americans consuming about 1.1 billion servings […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, West
World Pear Day Scheduled In December, Kicking Off National Pear Month
Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW) will observe World Pear Day for the fourth year in a row. The event kicks off National Pear Month, proclaimed as December each year by U.S. Department of Agriculture. Taking place on December 8, World Pear Day will mark peak pear season with festivities around the world where consumers will get […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, National
USDA Rules Deliver Clarity For Farmers And Hemp Industry
On Oct. 29, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program as mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing federally approved hemp to be grown under clear guidelines and making hemp farmers eligible for many agricultural programs. Hemp genetics company HGH Seed Inc. welcomes the introduction of a consistent regulatory […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, National
FMI Commends USDA Effort To Provide Regulatory Framework For Hemp
On Oct. 29, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) release of a federal regulatory framework for domestic hemp, which establishes a domestic hemp production program as set forth in the 2018 Farm Bill. This interim rule is intended to help expand production of domestic hemp and to help meet the growing consumer demand […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FWRA Enters Agreement With Federal Agencies Concerning Food Waste
The Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FWRA)—founded by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and National Restaurant Association—entered into a formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce food loss and waste through industry and agency-specific […]
Posted inGelson's, Beverage News, Center Store, Organic Natural, Packaging News, Private Label Brands, West
Gelson’s Introduces Certified Organic Roasts From Groundwork Coffee
Gelson’s has collaborated with Los Angeles-based Groundwork Coffee to create two certified organic roasts exclusively for Gelson’s. Both are available in all of Gelson’s 27 locations in Southern California. Packaged in 12-oz. vacuum-sealed bags, the whole bean coffee is USDA-certified organic, fair-traded and ethically sourced. They are both priced at $14.99 and include: Gelson’s Signature […]
Posted inNortheast, Perishables
EPA’s Andrew Wheeler Meets With NYC Food Waste Organizations
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently participated in several events in the South Bronx that focused on food waste. “Addressing the problem of food waste will take cooperation across the public and private sectors, so it was a pleasure to meet with some of the leading organizations and companies committed to eliminating […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Frozen Food, National, New Products, Private Label Brands
Albertsons Changes Frozen Lineup, Launches Plant-Based Private Label
Seizing on consumer demand in frozen meals, Albertsons Cos. has revamped its lineup of Own Brands entrees with 55 new items, from organic plant-based meals for the “flexitarian” to protein power bowls. “We’re in a new age for frozen meals,” says Chad Coester, SVP of Albertsons Cos. Own Brands. “Shoppers deserve premium meals that deliver […]
Posted inSouthwest, Amazon Fresh, Bakery News, New Products, Whole Foods
Culinary Bob Bread Hero Promises Fresh Bread For Longer
The Culinary Bob [Everlasting] Bread Hero bread preserver is now available on Amazon, eBay and culinarybob.com, and will be coming soon to other retailers. Culinary Bob is a division of Bossanova Enterprises LLC, a family-, woman- and veteran-owned small business based in Altus, Oklahoma. According to founder Karen Brumme, the “Culinary Bob [Everlasting] Bread Hero […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Health & Wellness, Independent Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Celebrates Organic Harvest Month
Natural Grocers is celebrating its more than 30-year history of selling only 100 percent organically grown produce with a month-long series of festivities for Organic Harvest Month. The Sept. 7 kickoff included a one-day-only free bag giveaway with any purchase and an {N}power ”bounce-back” offer of $5 off any purchase of $55 or more, as […]
Posted inNational
Feeding America Comments On New USDA Report Findings
A new report released Sept. 4 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that one in nine households (11.1 percent) in the United States encountered difficulty at some time during 2018 in providing enough food for their family. This represents a decline of 0.7 percentage points from last year and is the lowest […]
Posted inNational, Home Page Slider, Store News
Perdue Reiterates Need To Restore Original Intent Of SNAP
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue reiterated during a U.S. Senate hearing Feb. 28 the need to restore the original intent of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is to be a second chance and not a way of life. Perdue’s comments come on the heels of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishing […]
Posted inAssociation News, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, National, Store News
FMI Applauds SCOTUS Decision To Hear SNAP Data Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Food Marketing Institute’s appeal in its case against Argus Leader Media. “We are delighted that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear our appeal in Food Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. “It is a critically important case that will clarify […]
Posted inNational, Home Page Slider
USDA To Protect SNAP Participants’ Access To Assistance In February
At the direction of President Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Jan. 8 revealed a plan to ensure that low-income Americans have access to the nutrition they need during the partial government shutdown over funding for the border wall. The plan provides full benefits for participants in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) […]