Kroger calls on EPA head to regulate industry food waste

Kroger has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to replace the “best when used by” date found on most food packages in order to combat food waste. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, however, argues that federally regulated industry standards are not needed if the industry itself can establish a program that standardizes best by dates. Read more at Cincinnati Public Radio …

Beyond Meat is developing meatless bacon

Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown recently announced that Beyond Meat is developing a meatless bacon alternative to its repertoire. Last year bacon was an option on 68.1% of fast food menus, meaning there’s plenty of restaurant demand for Beyond to take advantage of after the product is launched. Read more at CNBC …

Why regenerative agriculture is the new thing in sustainable farming

Regenerative agriculture might give companies with cows in their supply chain “the potential to alter the emissions calculus for animal agriculture.” However, more science is needed to clearly determine just how much carbon is sequestered using a given regenerative method, or else the currently vague term “regenerative” risks becoming greenwashing. Read more at Fast Company …

Trump administration announces details of $16 billion trade aid payments

The Department of Agriculture this morning announced the breakdown of its second $16 billion round of trade aid spending. The agency’s payment rates are higher than last year’s for farmers, and USDA also announced a new $1.4 billion “plan to purchase commodities and redistribute them through schools and emergency food aid programs." Read more at New Food Economy …

Holy guacamole! Avocados are pricy and it’s the pits

Soaring demand for avocados in the U.S. coupled with climate change’s negative impact on avocado yields has led to prohibitively high prices for the beloved fruit. Now, some taquerias are replacing the avocados in their guacamole with a type of squash that mimics the avocado’s buttery flavor and light color—and customers haven’t caught on. Read more at NPR …