07/01/13: new year, new news

Hello, 

Welcome to 2013. I hope your new year is getting off to a flying start.  We're as busy as ever and have lots of exciting events in the pipeline. 

Let's start with a look at the news...

• While parts of the USA experienced unprecedented droughts in 2012, the UK saw one of the wettest years ever. In response, farmers are looking at new ways to protect their crops from flood risks. Delegates at the Oxford Farming Conference told the Guardian that they are turning to GM crops with a resistance to extreme weather. Read more...
  

• Russian leaders have learnt from the mistakes of 2010 by not banning wheat exports in 2012 says Douglas Busvine of Reuters. This analysis piece gives an clear insight into how the decision has been beneficial for farmers as domestic wheat prices have closed in on international levels. Read more...

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture will eliminate the daily and weekly limits of grains in the school-meals program for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. The changes come partly as result of criticism by parents and lawmakers who expressed concern that some children aren't getting enough to eat.  In addition, school nutrition professionals have faced significant menu-planning, operating, and financial challenges as a result of the new meal requirements. USDA's new guidance gives school-meal programs more flexibility. While the broader calorie limits are still in place, the new rules adjustment will allow school- lunch planners to use as many grains as they want. USDA has not announced whether these new flexibilities for grain requirements will continue into the 2013-14 school year. More information...

Grain (Photo credit: peter pearson)

USDA rule encourages purchase of local agricultural products for nutrition programs

Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced that United States Department of Agriculture's child nutrition programs are implementing new rules designed to encourage use of local farm products in school meals. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, will let schools and other providers give preference to unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products as they purchase food for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable, and Summer Food Service programs.

The rule is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 signed into law by President Obama and one of the key provisions to bolster farm to school programs across the country. "This rule is an important milestone that will help ensure that our children have access to fresh produce and other agricultural products," said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "It will also give a much-needed boost to local farmers and agricultural producers."  Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers