US coronavirus stimulus bill adds billions in support for farmers

A $2 trillion bipartisan legislation seeks to alleviate the catastrophic economic impact of COVID-19. The stimulus bill, if passed, "would add $14 billion to the Agriculture Department’s Commodity Credit Corp spending authority, and authorize another $9.5 billion for U.S. farmers hurt by the fast-spreading pandemic." Read more at Reuters…

Grocery stores are the coronavirus tipping point

Grocery store cashiers and workers are at a higher risk of infection than most people, and some big-box chains are reportedly discouraging workers from wearing face masks or gloves in-store. This explains why infections have been cropping up in grocery stores, which seem to be the only comfort-inducing places still open in these trying times. Read more at The Atlantic…

Good Food Institute awards $4M to scientists forging the future of alt meat

The Good Food Institute has awarded $4 million to 21 research projects from nine different cultures, all aiming to advance scientific progress in the alt-meat space. This most recent round of grantees are focused on four areas in particular: cost, texture, scaling and taste.  Read more at The Spoon…

As the hospitality industry lays off hundreds of thousands, grocery becomes a booming employment opportunity

Grocery stores and supermarkets are hiring in droves. Giants including Walmart, Dollar General and Pepsi have begun recruiting workers from now-shuttered hotels and restaurants. Read more at The Counter…

USDA fights to purge food stamps recipients despite pandemic

Food stamp changes that would force hundreds of thousands of recipients off the program will not go into effect until the current COVID-19 crisis has calmed down. Ellen Vollinger, legal director for the advocacy group the Food Research & Action Center, stated that if the Agriculture Department really does intend to fight for the SNAP program changes, it may end up in an ugly fight with Congress. Read more at PBS...