In Nebraska, fight over Costco chicken farms escalates

Nebraska residents have launched a petition to enact a moratorium on concentrated animal feeding operations. The move is a reaction to the numerous large-scale chicken farms popping up since grocery warehouse company Costco announced it would open a poultry plant in Fremont, a small town in far east Nebraska. Gov. Pete Ricketts has called those who support the moratorium “radical anti-agriculture groups.” Read more at The Fern…

Clean soil is rejuvenating New York’s urban farms

Community farms and free markets in the middle of New York City public housing developments provide local residents with hundreds of pounds of fresh produce a year. The programs also offer skills training for teenagers and community-building opportunities. But none of it could have happened if the mayor’s office hadn’t moved clean soil from excavation sites to cover contaminated lots. Read more at Civil Eats…

Would a grocery ‘happy hour’ reduce food waste?

S-market shoppers in Helsinki, Finland, know when to shop for the best deal on groceries. At 9 p.m., all foods that are approaching their expiration date go on sales for 60% off. The store hypes the nightly event as happy hour in the hopes of developing regular customers. Read more at The New York Times…

Consumers consider climate change when purchasing meat, bottled beverages and disposable wipes

A new report, “Who Cares, Who Does?” from analytics firm Kantar, found that about one-third of consumers in Europe, Latin America and Asia are concerned about the environment. About half of those are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing their purchases of meat and bottled drinks. Read more at Reuters…

We don't know nearly enough about e-cigarettes

Banning flavored vaping products and promising to do more isn’t enough. The Food and Drug Administration must start reviewing vaping products—the Trump administration delayed that requirement, originally sent for 2018—and federal regulation of marijuana products is needed, as well. Read more at Bloomberg…