Another slight bump in food prices. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. After two straight months of flat food prices, the cost of food increased slightly during May. Overall food prices rose 0.2 percent from April to May. The New York Times says U.S. grocery prices rose 0.1 percent in May, up from April, when prices dropped 0.2 …
Rural Social Connections Draw Healthcare Professionals
The friendly small-town reputation may be drawing healthcare professionals. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The availability of healthcare professionals in rural areas lags that of urban areas, partly because of difficulties in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) reports that when choosing rural locations to practice, healthcare professionals most often cite social aspects, …
SNAP Online Purchasing Now Available in All 50 States
Easier access to healthy food for those enrolled in SNAP. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Online purchasing using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is now available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The expansion represents a major milestone in the history of SNAP and continues to provide greater convenience and access to healthy …
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Moves Out of Committee
A push for whole milk in schools moves forward. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Committee on Education and the Workforce last week voted to advance a bill restoring whole milk in schools. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 highlights milk’s health benefits and nutrients to young Americans, including better bone health, lower blood …
Grocery Inflation Cooling
A little relief at the grocery store. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. After two years of climbing grocery bills, things are starting to cool off. “In April grocery inflation on a three-month annualized basis, which is just saying if the three months we’re looking at stayed that way all year, inflation was actually negative,” Joelle Gamble, Deputy …
Peanuts Pack a Punch Against Alzheimer’s
How peanuts pack a punch in the fight against Alzheimer’s. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Alzheimer’s disease affects more than six million Americans. There’s now growing evidence that peanuts can help address this disease by supporting brain health. The Peanut Institute says it boils down to the nutritional makeup of peanuts. First, peanuts have high levels of niacin …
How Important is the “Natural” Label on Food?
How important is that “natural” label on our groceries? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) says food labeled as “natural” may not be worth its higher cost. The USDA says numerous consumer food choice studies have found that the “natural” label on food is often equated with healthier food choices …
National Dairy FARM Excellence Award Nominations Open
An award for dairy producers returns this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program Excellence Awards are back for a third year. The awards recognize farms and evaluators who demonstrate excellence in the FARM Program. Awards are given in four categories, including Animal Care and Antibiotic Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship, Workforce …
Groups Pushing for Passage of Shipping Reform Implementation Act
Another push for the Shipping Reform Implementation Act. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (HR 1836) is designed to help with slowdowns and other issues at U.S. ports. The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act follows the Ocean Shipping Reform Act passed a year ago. The first bill gave the Federal Maritime Commission …
FAO Issues Report on World’s Hunger Hotspots
A new report looks at hunger around the globe. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN/FAO) has issued an early report on places it expects to be hunger hotspots from June to November. The FAO says food insecurity is likely going to increase in magnitude and severity in 18 hunger hotspots …