U.S. Department of Agriculture

Mexico's sugar export quota to the US is projected to rise 512% to 1.15 million tons in the 2026-27 cycle, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The increase signals Mexico regaining a significant share of the US sugar market.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP program will require states to fund a portion of benefits starting in 2027, potentially costing states over $9 billion. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced new eligibility and work requirements, leading to 4 million Americans losing benefits, while states with high payment error rates will face financial penalties.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declined to participate in the SUN Bucks program, which provides $120 per child for summer groceries, rejecting $38 million in federal funding. This decision leaves 320,000 children without summer meal support, as only 1 in 4 accessed in-person meal sites in 2023, exacerbating hunger risks for three-quarters of students reliant on school meals.

Vermont dairy farms face financial struggles due to high overhead costs, aging infrastructure, and competition from states like Texas. Recent closures of three dairy plants in two months highlight the industry's challenges, with Vermont farmers losing $8.65 per 100 pounds of milk produced compared to profits in other states.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP food stamp program will require states to fund billions in benefits starting in 2027, with penalties tied to payment error rates. Over 4 million Americans have already lost benefits, and states like Michigan, Texas, and New York face potential costs of hundreds of millions annually, raising concerns about reduced access to the program.

Farm bankruptcies in Minnesota and the Midwest are rising sharply due to declining farm income, rising input costs, and financial pressures. The USDA projects a $1.2 billion drop in farm income this year, while Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in Minnesota increased by 300% compared to 2024. Experts warn of worsening conditions, drawing parallels to the 1980s farm crisis.

A new Medicaid work requirement may jeopardize health insurance for farmworkers due to their seasonal and informal employment patterns. The rule, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, mandates 80 hours of monthly work or education, posing challenges for workers with inconsistent hours and cash-based jobs.

Solar panels cover less than 1% of Ohio’s prime farmland, but opposition groups and local officials continue to block or restrict utility-scale solar projects, citing farmland preservation concerns. A 2021 law allows Ohio counties to ban such projects, and similar restrictions exist in other U.S. states.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP program require states to fund portions of benefits starting in 2027, potentially costing states over $9 billion annually. New eligibility and work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have already led to 4 million Americans losing benefits, with concerns growing that states may reduce access or withdraw from the program due to financial pressures.

The US Department of Agriculture significantly reduced its reported beef export sales for late June, from an initial figure to 12,064 tonnes, a 90% decrease. This revision has raised concerns about data accuracy amid staffing losses linked to the Trump administration's government restructuring. Traders had previously doubted the initial report's reliability.

U.S. grocery stores, including Walmart, Costco, Target, Kroger, and Stop & Shop, are lowering prices on selected items and expanding lower-cost store brands to attract budget-conscious shoppers amid inflation, rising food costs, and shifting consumer habits. However, overall grocery bills are unlikely to decrease significantly as food prices remain high and are projected to continue rising.

Florida's high SNAP error rate could cost the state up to $1 billion, with Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried alleging the errors are intentional to limit program participation. USDA data shows Florida's 12.97% error rate exceeds the national average, potentially requiring state contributions to the federal food program for the first time.

Grocery prices in 2026 rose 4.2% year-over-year, with food-at-home and food-away-from-home costs increasing by 3.1% and 2.7%, respectively. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides monthly budget guidelines for groceries based on household size and spending levels, including thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost, and liberal plans.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP program will require states to fund billions in benefits starting in 2027, leading to fears of reduced access for millions of Americans. States with high payment error rates will face penalties, and over 4 million people have already lost benefits since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP program require states to fund portions of benefits starting in 2027, potentially costing states over $9 billion annually. States with high payment error rates will face penalties, and nearly 4 million Americans have already lost benefits since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP program require states to fund some benefits starting in 2027, penalizing states with high payment error rates. Over 4 million Americans have already lost benefits, and states could face billions in costs, raising concerns about reduced access to food assistance.

Upcoming changes to the federal SNAP program require states to fund portions of benefits starting in 2027, potentially costing states over $9 billion annually. The changes, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, include stricter eligibility and work requirements, leading to 4 million Americans losing benefits. States with high payment error rates will face financial penalties, raising concerns about reduced access to food assistance and possible state exits from the program.

China made its largest daily purchase of US soybeans since November, with 472,000 tonnes reported by the US Department of Agriculture. The transaction is seen as a sign of improving trade ties and progress toward fulfilling commitments from the Trump-Xi summit.

President Trump ordered federal agencies to identify and cancel contracts promoting 'gender ideology extremism' in 2025. The USDA found only about seven such contracts initially but later canceled additional funding, including a grant for 'food justice for trans people.' Critics questioned the USDA's limited findings, noting its historically conservative stance on gender and minority issues.

Pennsylvania apple growers impacted by a late-April freeze will receive expanded federal relief, including the ability to finalize crop insurance claims early. The USDA aims to provide flexibility for harvest and marketing decisions, supported by state officials and agricultural leaders.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a new case of New World screwworm in Crockett County, Texas, affecting a domestic sheep, increasing the total confirmed cases to 31.

Massachusetts reported a 12.5% error rate for SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2025, exceeding the federal 6% threshold and potentially requiring the state to cover 5-15% of its SNAP costs starting October 1, 2027. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited 'significant waste' and $10.1 billion in nationwide improper payments, while Massachusetts also addressed a $855,000 fraud scheme in its SUN Bucks program.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces criticism for proposing the 'Family Grocer and Farmer Relief Act' amid rising beef prices. The article argues high prices result from supply and demand dynamics, including a 9% decline in U.S. cattle inventory since 2019, drought, and increased production costs, not price gouging. Beef packers reported losses in 2025, contradicting claims of monopolistic profits.

Federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could cost Minnesota up to $250 million annually. The law requires states with higher payment error rates to cover a larger share of SNAP costs, and Minnesota's error rate increased from 9% in 2024 to 12% in 2025. The state must now cover 75% of administrative costs for the program, up from 50%.

Tribes aim to expand Indigenous agriculture and preserve heritage crops through the Farm Bill, but face challenges as federal programs supporting tribal farmers were cut under the Trump administration. The Biden administration launched programs like LFPA and LFS to help local food purchases, which were later terminated in 2025. Senators Jack Reed and Jim Justice introduced a bill to create a permanent grant program for local food purchases by tribes and states.

Indigenous farmers like Dawn and Cassius Spears at Ashawaug Farm rely on federal programs to cultivate and distribute culturally significant crops, but Trump-era cuts to USDA programs have limited their reach. The Biden administration established two pandemic-era programs to help tribes and states purchase local food, but these were terminated in 2025 under the Trump administration. Senators Jack Reed and Jim Justice introduced a bill to create a permanent grant program for local food purchases by tribes and states.

The Southwest Human Resource Agency's Summer Nutrition Program in West Tennessee is on track to distribute twice as many meals this year compared to 2025, reaching 630,000 meals in five weeks. The program now serves 20 counties, including new areas like Obion, Weakley, Tipton, and Crockett, but faces challenges with home delivery in rural regions due to staffing shortages.

Rising cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections in coastal waters and increased health risks are linked to Trump administration cuts in health programs and ocean monitoring. The administration reduced investments in agencies tracking pathogens, leading to challenges in addressing emerging threats like flesh-eating bacteria, screwworm reemergence, and malaria vulnerabilities.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified before a U.S. House panel advocating for a 13.3% increase in funding for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to modernize systems and expand staff, while proposing cuts to domestic agencies like Agriculture and Health and Human Services. The Trump administration's 2027 budget requests a $1.5 trillion defense budget and a 10% reduction in non-defense spending.

A Louisiana audit found the state returned $111 million in unused federal WIC benefits from 2021-24, ranking 50th nationally for participation. The audit highlights barriers like limited clinic hours, insufficient outreach, and lack of mobile clinics, urging expansion to improve access for low-income mothers and babies.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) has joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act, which aims to reduce wildfire risk by establishing a USDA grant program to offset transportation costs of woody biomass from forest-thinning projects. Supporters highlight that high transportation costs often lead operators to leave the material in forests.

The federal government is suing Minnesota and three other states for not providing data on SNAP beneficiaries to investigate fraud, with Minnesota's DCYF arguing the request violates privacy. Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chughtai announced a leave of absence for mental health treatment, while Fosston's legal battle with Essentia Health over hospital control moves to arbitration. Storms damaged northern Minnesota ahead of Bemidji's Water Carnival.

Arkansas is proceeding with a ban on using SNAP benefits for candy and soda starting Wednesday, despite a federal judge's recent ruling that similar restrictions in other states violated federal law. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited public health concerns, including obesity and diabetes, as justification for the policy.

Arkansas will implement a ban on using SNAP benefits to purchase candy and soda despite a recent court ruling that invalidated similar restrictions in other states. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited public health concerns, including obesity and diabetes, as the rationale for the policy.

A Louisiana audit found nearly half of federal WIC food assistance for low-income mothers and children went unredeemed, with over $111 million returned to the USDA. The report recommends expanding access through mobile clinics, off-site appointments, and additional WIC clinics in underserved parishes to address barriers like limited hours and outreach efforts.

Missouri faces a potential $150 million cost for federal nutrition assistance if its SNAP error rate remains above 6% in 2027 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The state's SNAP error rate improved to 8.67% in fiscal year 2025, down from 9.42% in 2024 and 10.54% in 2023, but advocates warn disruptions during the 2025 government shutdown could raise the rate. The law requires states with error rates above 6% to cover 5-15% of SNAP benefits starting October 2027.

A group of moderate U.S. House Democrats, including Reps. Sharice Davids, Gabe Vasquez, and Jim Costa, sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding transparency and additional resources to address a New World screwworm outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. The lawmakers emphasized concerns over the pest's impact on livestock and food prices, while a USDA spokesperson defended the agency's communication efforts.

Tennessee could face a financial penalty of up to $171 million for its 9.44% SNAP payment error rate under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act starting October 2027. The state’s overpayment rate was 7.84%, and underpayment rate was 1.60%, exceeding Congress’s 6% goal. States with error rates between 8% and 10% must cover 10% of SNAP costs, which are typically federally funded.

Over 100 dead dogs, many with gunshot wounds, were discovered at Miranda’s Rescue, a 'no-kill' animal shelter in Fortuna, California. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and USDA investigators found 117 canine remains, 21 skulls, hundreds of bones, and 600 dog collars, with evidence suggesting animal cruelty and fraud. The founder, Shannon Miranda, is under investigation.

117 dead dogs, many with gunshot wounds, were discovered at Miranda’s Rescue, a 'no-kill' animal shelter in Fortuna, California. Authorities recovered remains from dig sites, 600 dog collars, and microchips linked to the shelter founder Shannon Miranda, with investigations ongoing into animal cruelty and fraud.