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USDA Expands Online Shopping for WIC Program, Enhancing Access for Mothers and Infants

USDA Expands Online Shopping for WIC Program, Enhancing Access for Mothers and Infants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule to strengthen and expand online shopping options for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This change, set to take effect on December 7, 2026, aims to provide greater access to healthy foods for rural mothers and children across the country. Save the Children, an advocacy organization, has applauded this initiative, noting that a pilot online shopping program demonstrated a strong preference for this method among participants. Eyang Garrison, Save the Children’s Managing Director of Domestic Policy, stated that this expansion will reduce barriers for rural and Tribal families and is expected to increase nationwide participation in the WIC program, which currently serves nearly 7 million families across the U.S.
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New DNA Cartridge Simplifies Detection of Hidden Food Allergens in Food Production

New DNA Cartridge Simplifies Detection of Hidden Food Allergens in Food Production

New DNA Cartridge Simplifies Detection of Hidden Food Allergens in Food Production
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Food Industry Responds to GLP-1 Medication Surge with 'GLP-1-Friendly' Food Labels

Food Industry Responds to GLP-1 Medication Surge with 'GLP-1-Friendly' Food Labels

Food Industry Responds to GLP-1 Medication Surge with 'GLP-1-Friendly' Food Labels
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USDA Seeks Applicants for National Organic Standards Board to Shape Future Organic Regulations

USDA Seeks Applicants for National Organic Standards Board to Shape Future Organic Regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently accepting applications and nominations for three open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). These positions are for a five-year term beginning in January 2027 and concluding in January 2032. The NOSB plays a crucial role in advising the Secretary of Agriculture on the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act and in developing standards for substances used in organic production. The USDA is looking to fill specific roles, including an organic farmer, a public or consumer interest representative, and a scientist with expertise in toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry. Additionally, the USDA is building a candidate pool for unexpected vacancies. Board service requires a significant commitment, involving monthly subcommittee calls, review of materials and public comments, drafting discussion papers and proposals, and attending two in-person meetings annually, with travel expenses covered by the USDA. Applications are due by Decembe...
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Walmart Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Underweighted Frozen Shrimp Products

Walmart Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Underweighted Frozen Shrimp Products

Walmart Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Underweighted Frozen Shrimp Products
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South Carolina Death Row Inmate Seeks Execution Stay Until After Holidays

South Carolina Death Row Inmate Seeks Execution Stay Until After Holidays

A death row inmate in South Carolina, Steven Bixby, has filed a petition with the South Carolina Supreme Court requesting a stay of execution until after the winter holidays. Bixby was convicted in 2007 for the murders of State Constable Donnie Ouzts and Sergeant Danny Wilson of the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office. The killings occurred during a standoff in 2003, which stemmed from a land dispute between Bixby's family and the state over plans to widen a highway. The petition specifically asks that the clerk of court refrain from issuing a notice of execution until the holiday season has concluded. This request references a precedent set in 2024, when another death row inmate was granted a stay of execution because their scheduled date fell near Thanksgiving and Christmas. The South Carolina Supreme Court has not yet issued a ruling on Bixby's petition.
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U.S. Schools Implement Composting and Share Tables to Reduce Cafeteria Food Waste

U.S. Schools Implement Composting and Share Tables to Reduce Cafeteria Food Waste

Across the U.S., schools like Lovin Elementary in Lawrenceville, Georgia, are actively implementing composting programs and 'share tables' to significantly reduce cafeteria food waste. Students at Lovin Elementary collect leftover lunch scraps, such as apple cores and banana peels, for an outdoor compost bin, and uneaten salad scraps are fed to the school's chickens. Unopened milk and other recoverable items are placed on share tables for other students to take or for the school's food pantry. This initiative has led to a nearly one-third reduction in food waste at Lovin Elementary after its initial food audit in 2018. Baltimore City Public Schools, serving over 76,000 students, also utilizes share tables and composting, with some schools having a 33-acre learning farm to educate students on food resources. The World Wildlife Fund's Food Waste Warriors program, which has worked with over 1,000 schools, estimates that U.S. schools could be wasting approximately 530,000 tons of food annually, costing $1.7 bi...
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US measles cases climb above 5,000 for first time since 1991

US measles cases climb above 5,000 for first time since 1991

Nov 6 (Reuters) - US measles cases have surged to 5,182 so far this year, the highest annual total recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 35 years, as the disease continues to spread across the country.
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American Honda Announces Production Start for 2026 Pioneer 1000 Elite in South Carolina

American Honda Announces Production Start for 2026 Pioneer 1000 Elite in South Carolina

American Honda Announces Production Start for 2026 Pioneer 1000 Elite in South Carolina
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USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement
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H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads to New U.S. Dairy Herds, Raising Concerns for Livestock Movement and Biosecurity

H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads to New U.S. Dairy Herds, Raising Concerns for Livestock Movement and Biosecurity

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to spread among U.S. dairy cattle, with new detections reported in Washington and Indiana. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), H5N1 has now affected dairy cattle in 21 states since its initial identification in March 2024. The recent cases include two Washington dairy herds in October and an Indiana dairy herd on November 2, which was identified through routine screening via the National Milk Testing Strategy. Federal analyses indicate that much of the spread among dairy herds is linked to livestock movements, with genetic evidence suggesting transmission from Idaho to Washington. Veterinarians and producers are urged to enhance biosecurity protocols, including careful management of incoming cattle, isolation of sick animals, and sanitation of shared equipment, to curb further transmission.
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USDA and CFTC Formalize Partnership to Safeguard U.S. Agricultural Markets

USDA and CFTC Formalize Partnership to Safeguard U.S. Agricultural Markets

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at protecting the integrity of American agricultural markets. This agreement, announced on November 5, 2026, seeks to enhance data sharing and improve access to risk management tools for farmers and ranchers. According to CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig, the partnership will strengthen protections for producers and ensure markets continue to serve the agricultural community. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that faster and more transparent data sharing is crucial for navigating evolving markets. The MOU is expected to facilitate collaborative identification of risks and improve responses to market events, building on USDA's ongoing data modernization efforts. This initiative is part of a broader administration focus on breaking down barriers between government agencies to better serve customers.