The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s number two in command, Kathleen Merrigan, a longtime advocate of local and regional food systems, announced yesterday she will be leaving her post.
Deputy Secretary Merrigan, who led the USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative throughout President Obama’s first term, did not say
Continue Reading USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan to Step Down Next Month
A new federal rule will give preference in contract bidding for school meals to local farm products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week.
The final rule, published in the Federal Register, is intended to break down barriers that have so far prevented or discouraged schools from using
Continue Reading USDA Rule Encourages Local Food for School Meals
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a new video this week in an effort to create economic opportunities in rural communities by promoting local and regional food systems.
Continue Reading USDA Encourages Americans to Know Their Farmers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack launched a new feature on the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website that highlights local and regional food systems and notes the multiple connections between farmers and consumers.
The new resource highlights the importance of local and regional food systems, which happens to be one
Continue Reading New Feature Launched on ‘Know Your Farmer’ Site
As first reported by Food Safety News last month, as part of their ongoing Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food effort, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been hosting instructional Webinars on mobile slaughter units to help small meat producers process and
Continue Reading Mobile Slaughter Unit Webinars Roll On
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” effort to “create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers,” the agency’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) hosted two outreach seminars this week on mobile slaughter units to help
USDA Leaders Promote Local Food in Georgia This Week–Is Local Food Safer?
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan visited the University of Georgia Monday to discuss the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative.
The stop is part of Merrigan’s ‘Know Your Farmer, Know
