FARM BILL UPDATE: Every five years, Congress works to pass a series of legislation collectively known as the Farm Bill. As I’ve previously reported, voting on the bill has been blocked as Congress continues to be unable to pass significant legislation. As a temporary fix, there is an effort to extend the current bill for a year, much to the dismay of many agricultural groups who say the 2008 bill is outdated and ineffective. If a Farm Bill is not passed this year, a group of Senators are working to ensure funds are made available to farmers affected by the drought. Meanwhile, the Congressional impasse is becoming an important topic in the upcoming elections.
GOOD NEWS: A recent report by the USDA’s National Farmer’s Market program shows that despite the worst drought this country has seen since the 1950s, there are more Farmers Markets open this year than ever before: 7,864, which is up 9.6% from last year. In other good news, attendance at these markets are up, and with the addition of EBT technology for food stamp vouchers, fresh local foods are within reach of more people.
FIGHTING WORDS: Warmer temperatures have caused a longer breeding season for Atlantic lobster, giving Canadian and Maine fishermen one of the largest hauls in decades. However, the flooded market has caused the market price of lobster to plummet. In protest, Canadian lobster processors are blocking shipments from Maine calling the product garbage. Much of Maine’s lobster is trucked to Canada where it is processed for U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.
