State Government
As unemployment in New Jersey reaches 6.1 percent, state sees food stamp applications double and 40 percent rise in number of people seeking welfare over one year. State distributes about 58 percent of its food stamp allotment; cumbersome application process blamed. And: $22.5 million aid plan OK'd in December included $3 million for NJ food pantries (click 'See also').
By Susan K. Livio
The Star-Ledger (NJ) 2009-01-04 (entry)
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Arguing that human needs for water, needs of delta smelt, other fish, waterfowl and rare plants are 'co-equal' goals, advisory panel urges new canal system for Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the main water source for 25 million Californians. And: Third year of drought likely for state with $30-billion-a-year agricultural industry that grows more than half of nation's fruits, vegetables, nuts (click 'See also').
By Kelly Zito
San Francisco Chronicle 2009-01-03 (entry)
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After 25-year, $6 billion failed effort, it's clear: Saving the Chesapeake requires political will to regulate farm runoff, institute and enforce wastewater limits, limit crab and oyster catches and mandate green-building techniques. And: Budget shortages, bureaucratic inertia, political opposition blocked progress (click 'See also').
The editors
The Washington Post 2009-01-02 (entry)
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As unemployment in New Jersey reaches 6.1 percent, state sees food stamp applications double and 40 percent rise in number of people seeking welfare over one year. State distributes about 58 percent of its food stamp allotment; cumbersome application process blamed. And: $22.5 million aid plan OK'd in December included $3 million for NJ food pantries (click 'See also').
By Susan K. Livio
The Star-Ledger (NJ) 2009-01-04 (entry)
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Minnesota X-rays venison bound for community food pantries after finding that 5.3 percent of venison sampled contained lead fragments from bullets. Funding comes from $160,000 appropriated by legislature, an increase in nonresident hunting license fees, hunter donations.
By Doug Smith
Star Tribune (MN) 2008-12-19 (entry)
Diabetes epidemic costs $218 billion each year -- $1,900 per household - and contributes to deaths of 200,000-plus Americans, so risky behavior includes extra-large sodas. New York's proposed 18 percent tax on soft drinks could help make us healthier, just as cigarette tax has lowered lung cancer rates. Nutrition specialist says cola industry will spend vast sums fighting proposed tax. And: How food industry discredits critics (click 'See also').
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2008-12-18 (entry)
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Hurricane survivors wait for food, drinking water as Texas attempts cleanup after catastrophe. Galveston official worries about disease; residents have no electricity, running water or working toilets. In Houston, residents told to boil water; those in need were to receive two packages of ready-to-eat meals, two boxes of bottled water and bag of ice.
By P.J. Huffstutter and David Zucchino
Los Angeles Times 2008-09-15 (entry)
Overweight, obese who work for state of Alabama given a year to lose weight or face higher health insurance costs. And: Because medical costs are higher for the obese and premiums don't depend on weight, lighter people in same pool pay for food/exercise decisions of obese, says USDA (click 'See also').
By Nancy Yamada
WBIR 2008-08-23 (entry)
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As economy struggles, wine, liquor and beer sales rise in Iowa. Treasury gathered $87.6 million for the 12 months ending June 30, up 3.7 percent from year earlier. Most of the money went to general fund, for education, environmental protection, welfare and public safety; 16 percent goes to substance abuse programs.
By William Petroski
The Des Moines Register 2008-08-04 (entry)
Potato chip producers agree to reduce carcinogen - acrylamide - in their chips over three years and pay penalties to settle California lawsuit. Accord means a 20 percent cut for Frito-Lay products, 87 percent cut for Kettle Chips, and warning label on Cape Cod Robust Russets. And: FDA tells home cooks to reduce chemical by not over-browning potatoes (click 'See also').
By Bob Egelko
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-08-02 (entry)
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As popularity of raw milk grows, state regulators fine small dairies for minor violations, obtain search warrants and push for restrictive laws. FDA backs the efforts but CDC reports show that about 59 people became ill from raw milk each year, compared to 14 million who contract other food-borne illnesses each year. And: Undercover agents entrap dairy farmers (click 'See also').
By David E. Gumpert
The Nation. 2008-03-05 (entry)
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With nearest water cooler a 10-minute walk away, undocumented and pregnant grape field worker in California collapses and later dies of heat exhaustion. Governor promises justice. State has most stringent heat laws in U.S., requiring water, shade and rest breaks. In 2007, more than half of employers audited were violating rules; 200 inspectors are responsible for auditing millions of employers.
By Sasha Khokha
KQED; National Public Radio 2008-06-06 (entry)
Budget cuts doom program to provide free morning meals to Florida children attending schools where many students come from low-income households. The universal breakfast plan could have cost the state an estimated $9 million to $11 million annually.
By Dwayne Robinson
The Palm Beach Post 2008-04-23 (entry)
Tennessee legislature considers bill that would require labeling and public notice for any meat or milk from cloned animals, or for any genetically altered or modified foods or ingredients for human consumption. If passed, law would take effect in January, 2009.
Tennessee General Assembly 2008-04-11 (entry)
South Carolina legislature kills bill that would have banned soft drinks, high-fat foods and minimally nutritious snacks from school lunches and campus vending machines. Sticking point was money: Some schools make as much as $70,000 annually from vending machine sales; refreshment stand fare sold at five home games made another school $13,000.
By Gina Smith
The State (SC) 2008-04-09 (entry)
After Ohio revises milk label rule to say that if Kroger (and other retailers) have claims about non-use of Monsanto's synthetic hormone rBST, they must also include: "the FDA's determination that no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-supplemented and non-rBST-supplemented cows." The drug, which increases milk production in cows, is not registered for use in Canada.
By Stepfanie Romine
The Enquirer (OH) 2008-03-26 (entry)
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Following lead of nearly a dozen other states, Indiana launches website that links buyers - from chefs to baby-food makers to locavores - to more than 150 nearby farmers and agricultural businesses. Site goals include strengthening local economies and providing transparency of food supply. To explore the site, click 'See also.'
By Shari Rudavsky
The Indianopolis Star 2008-04-01 (entry)
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For maple syrup taster, protecting the Vermont name is his game, and, as the son of a maple sugar buyer, Henry Marckres has been honing his palate for 50 of his 53 years. With diabetes, he keeps his sips small, follows them with water, and monitors his blood sugar levels.
By John Curran
The Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle 2008-03-21 (entry)
Bill before Alabama legislature falsely cloaks industrial hog farming in noble notion of preserving family farms. This bill, first introduced in 2001, needs to define a family farm, clarify the responsibilities and rights of all in dealing with farm byproducts and remove the clause that would discourage citizens from going to court with their grievances.
The editors
The Anniston Star 2008-03-11 (entry)
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Washington state passes 'Local Farms - Healthy Kids' bill, reducing obstacles for schools to buy locally grown food and supporting farmers at the same time. The law also will provide technical assistance for new programs.
Washington State Legislature 2008-03-11 (entry)
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Utah considers banning labels that mark dairy products as free from artificial growth hormones. Dairy farmers want the ban, but milk processors say that customers want information. Representative from biotech firm Monsanto, which makes the artificial hormone, rBST, commends Utah at public hearing. The drug is injected into cows to increase milk yields.
By Dawn House
The Salt Lake Tribune 2008-02-26 (entry)
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In budget-cutting move, New Jersey governor proposes shutting down the Garden State's department of agriculture, along with those of commerce and personnel. Other agencies would absorb responsibilities. State's rising costs for pension and health care benefits have contributed to its nearly 10 percent deficit, placing it third behind Arizona (16 percent) and California (15 percent).
By David W. Chen
The New York Times 2008-02-27 (entry)
New Mexico legislation would help fund farm-to-school link and put more fresh, local foods on children's lunch trays; facilitate food distribution system for low-income and rural communities; and help fund farmers' market purchases by low-income seniors.
By Staci Matlock
The New Mexican 2008-01-31 (entry)
Hawaii senator introduces bills that would require labels for genetically engineered foods (mostly papaya, squash and sweet corn) and notification for such crops and their locations. With more than 4,000 permits for genetically engineered testing issued to Monsanto, Syngenta and Dow, among others, the state is becoming one of the primary centers, worldwide, for biotech research and development.
By Nina Wu
Honolulu Star Bulletin 2008-01-26 (entry)
Newly diagnosed diabetic legislator vows to encourage more healthful school lunches and increased exercise for students. But state superintendent says Alabama's schools rank fourth highest in U.S. in healthy food initiatives. Lawmaker's announcement coincided with the state's weight-loss campaign, Scale Back Alabama.
By Dana Beyerle and The Associated Press
Tuscaloosa News 2008-01-04 (entry)
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Ambitious legislation in Washington state would create beginnings of infrastructure for linking locally grown foods to schools, universities and prisons. Some worry that lawmakers will dicker over definition of "local" and balk at request to provide free lunch to students who qualify for reduced-price lunches.
By Jennifer Langston
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) 2008-01-09 (entry)
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With $140 million in annual medical costs attributed to adult obesity in state, Vermont governor proposes adding a prevention specialist to each of the 12 regional health departments. Also proposed: a funding increase of $300,000 for prevention grants to communities.
By Nancy Remsen
Burlington Free Press (VT) 2008-01-03 (entry)
Fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for Washington state's poorest school cafeterias is aim of new bill proposed by consortium of 22 environmental groups. New law, if passed, would reduce red tape and help fund local purchases, and other money would help develop network of farmers.
By Christopher Dunagan
Kitsap Sun (WA) 2008-01-02 (entry)
As voting in Mississippi nears, editors say that future of agriculture, a $6 billion segment of state's economy, must expand past trees and row crops to organic vegetables and high-end organic dairy, and also should include in-state processing.
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 2007-10-21 (entry)
After North Carolina decides to dye raw milk gray to discourage human consumption, a legislator begins work on a bill that would halt the plan; new bill would follow one that would legalize dairy shares, which allow customers to buy part ownership in a milk-producing animal so they can have raw milk.
By Suzanne Nelson
The Independent Weekly (NC) 2007-10-31 (entry)
Under new rule before governor in Arkansas, food distributors and retailers, not state, will pay costs of testing imported foods for safety; the state health director can order testing according to USDA standards and violators can be fined.
By Peggy Harris
The Associated Press; Houston Chronicle (TX) 2007-11-01 (entry)
To butcher donated venison for Minnesota's food pantries, Minnesota legislature sets aside $160,000 and raises price of non-resident hunting license $5; hunters can also keep their deer but donate $1, $3, or $5 to the food shelf cause when they buy deer license at electronic license stations.
By John Cross
The Free Press (MN) 2007-10-27 (entry)
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Pending sugar beet harvest and resulting heavy traffic pushes Minnesota to close vital bridge between farms and processing plant after cracks found in span foundation; American Crystal Sugar Co.'s factory processes harvest from nearly 1,000 producers.
Stephen J. Lee
The Associated Press; West Central Tribune (MN) 2007-08-22 (entry)
Program that last year brought 35,000 pounds of hunter-donated venison to low-income clients of southern Wisconsin food pantry endangered by budget cuts; testing the deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) reduced by 60 percent; experts predict explosion in deer population.
By Christina Beam
Reedsburg Times Press (WI) 0000-00-00 (entry)
New interactive map allows users to tract proliferation of factory farms by state and county - even number of animals - and it raises questions of whether we pursue the logic of industrialism to its limits, and how badly will it harm the landscape, the people who live in it and democracy itself?
The editors
The New York Times (may require subscription) (entry)
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