USDA

Thirty-Five Years of the Beef Checkoff: How the National Research and Marketing Program Works

October 20, 2021 Beef Checkoff

Thirty-five years ago, the Beef Checkoff program became a reality. Established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill, the Beef Checkoff is funded by producers and beef importers who pay a $1-per-head assessment on animals they market or import. The national marketing and research program has one primary goal: driving demand for beef. While the Beef Checkoff has been around for more than three decades, it’s a complex program that can be difficult to understand, even for those in the beef industry. …

USDA Launches New Effort to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Poultry

October 19, 2021 USDA

“Far too many consumers become ill every year from poultry contaminated by Salmonella,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We need to be constantly evolving in our efforts to prevent foodborne illness to stay one step ahead of the bad bugs. Today we’re taking action to help prevent Salmonella contamination throughout the poultry supply chain and production system to protect public health.” …

Release of 2019 Annual Report on the Sources of Foodborne Illness by the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration

October 18, 2021 USDA

In an ongoing effort to understand sources of foodborne illness in the United States, the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) collects and analyzes foodborne illness outbreak data for four pathogens – Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter – and specific foods and food categories that are responsible for foodborne illnesses in the United States. …

USDA Announces Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Virtual Meeting

October 11, 2021 USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) will hold a virtual meeting Nov. 3-4, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET each day. …

Local Food Sales Continue to Grow Through a Variety of Marketing Channels

October 7, 2021 Stephen Martinez, USDA ERS

Local foods represent a small but growing share of the U.S. food system—one reflection of consumers’ increasing influence on food production. Local food producers sell their goods directly to consumers at places such as farmers markets, on-farm stores, or pick-your-own stores. …