Ag Headlines, October 7, 2015

USDA Seeks Applications to Help SNAP Participants to Make Healthy Eating Choices

USDA is seeking applications for $16.8 million in funding to help participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. USDA announced Tuesday the funding is available to local, state and national organizations to test incentive strategies to help SNAP participants better afford healthy foods. This is the second round of awards to be made under the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program created by the 2014 Farm Bill. Applications are due December 16, 2015. More information is available online at NIFA dot USDA dot gov (www.nifa.usda.gov).

Gluten Free Cheerios Recalled Because of Gluten

General Mills announced a recall of 1.8 million boxes of gluten-free original and Honey Nut Cheerios because the products may contain wheat, therefore containing gluten. The voluntary recall is for the cereals produced at a California facility over a 13 day period in July. The Washington Post reports Jim Murphy, senior vice president of the company's cereal division, said he was "embarrassed and truly sorry" for an incident that allowed wheat flour to get introduced into the gluten-free oat flour system at the facility. The company said it will remove affected boxes from store shelves and warehouses, and customers with affected products can contact General Mills for a replacement or refund.

Vilsack, Obama, Tout TPP Trade Agreement

President Barack Obama met with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to start promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In the meeting Tuesday, Obama said the agreement will make U.S. agriculture more competitive as the deal eliminates about 18,000 different taxes. The complete text of the agreement has yet to be released. Vilsack told reporters that work is ongoing to make the full text available to the public as soon as possible. Vilsack says the administration hopes to publish information for individual states that would show the benefits of the trade deal on a state level. President Obama made remarks that “there’s going to be a long, healthy process of discussion and consultation and debate before this ever comes to an actual vote.” Getting congressional approval could be an uphill battle, but one that won’t see an outcome until sometime next year.

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