USDA

Report from Center for Rural Affairs on USDA impact on mid-size farms

An excellent report to view return on investment (ROI as it is known in the philanthropy and corporate world) for USDA and to see where the support has gone.

With this (2006) study, we seek to better understand how key USDA grant and research programs are serving beginning and small and mid-size farms and ranches, and what steps might be taken to improve these programs or develop new solutions to enhance farm profitability and rural community success.

The Impact and Benefits of USDA Research and Grant Programs to Enhance
Mid-Size Farm Profitability and Rural Community Success Download Report

Published on Center for Rural Affairs (http://www.cfra.org)

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Other Countries Food Pyramids

World Food Pyramids

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New food plate replaces food pyramid

Useful criticism of the plate from retail analysts:
Hartman

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USDA is readying new food “pyramid”

Boy, this issue goes to show the power of the lobbyists and experts that surround the beltway. Over the years, the food pyramid has changed dramatically, and remains a political football to kick back and forth. The first pyramid was adopted in 1992, changed in 2005 and now reports are that the new version will be a plate showing how much of each food group an adult person should eat for healthy weight.
Here are some examples of past pyramids:

Nutrition experts from the Harvard School of Public Health created the Healthy Eating Pyramid, and updated it in 2008.
USDA’s post 2005 food pyramid
This is the pre-2005 pyramid for USDA.

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New Handbook Shows Farmers Market Operators How to Participate in SNAP

Last summer, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), in collaboration with the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), released the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: A How-To-Handbook. The handbook assists farmers’ market operators and direct marketing farmers in determining the steps necessary to become authorized to participate in SNAP and, subsequently, the steps related to managing participation. It includes tips and guidelines on how to make the program work successfully for vendors and customers. The handbook also features a list of resources, a glossary of important terms, and several case studies from farmers markets that have successfully implemented EBT technology. AMS’s USDA Farmers’ Market Directory is available online to locate farmers’ markets that accept nutrition assistance program benefits.

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