USDA
Federal Appeals Court Sides With Natural Grocers in GMO Labeling Case
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of Natural Grocers (Lakewood, CO), the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and other plaintiffs challenging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules under the Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard Act. Natural Grocers led the lawsuit to “uphold consumers’ right to clear, accurate and easily accessible information about their food.” According ...
HHS and USDA Release New Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Industry Responds
On Jan. 7, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030. The updated guidelines are intended to deliver a clear message to the American people: eat real food. According to HHS and USDA, the guidelines reestablish food—not pharmaceuticals—as the foundation of ...
Associations Release Updated Guidance on Organic Dietary Supplements
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Quality Assurance International (QAI) by NSF International and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced updated guidance on organic dietary supplements. The updated report titled Guidance on Formulation and Marketing of Dietary Supplements Under the National Organic Program replaces the 2018 version. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program ...
PLANT Act Introduced Into Congress
On July 28, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Peas, Legumes and Nuts Today (PLANT) Act, which would help ensure that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs support farmers and companies producing plant-based foods. “The PLANT Act will help us win the future of food,” said McGovern. “Plant-based foods are already creating new opportunities for farmers across ...
Natural Grocers Invites Denver’s Central Park Community to Grand Opening Celebration
Natural Grocers has announced the upcoming opening of its 44th Colorado location at 3165 N. Central Park Blvd., Denver, CO. The store plans to host its Grand Opening Celebration Event on Saturday, January 7, 2023, with giveaways, discounts, prize sweepstakes and more. Natural Grocers’ good4u Crew will kick off the festivities at 8:20 a.m. with a donation presentation to ...
USDA to Invest in Expanding SNAP Online Shopping
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has announced it is seeking applications for a $5 million competitive grant to help expand the number of retailers that offer SNAP online shopping. The SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center grant will fund an organization to provide extensive support to retailers with the technology and systems needed for ...
OTA Offers Recommendations for New Organic Transition Initiative
Following a series of working groups and listening sessions with Organic Trade Association (OTA) members throughout the last year, on June 1, 2022, USDA announced its intention to invest $300 million into a new Organic Transition Initiative program as part of the USDA Food System Transformation Framework. According to USDA, the new Organic Transition Initiative (“the Initiative”) ...
The Organic Center’s Jessica Shade Heads to USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
After nine years of leading The Organic Center (TOC) as Director of Science Programs, Jessica Shade, Ph.D., has accepted a position with the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) as national program leader. At NIFA, Shade’s experience will be put to great use in supporting innovative programs that advance agriculture-related sciences. “We could ...
OTA Takes U.S. Organic Products Back on the Road
After a robust year of trade events held largely behind computer screens, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is gearing up for a busy 2022 of in-person events and opportunities to show off U.S. organic products abroad. As the nation’s only organic-focused trade association, OTA has been the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) go-to partner for promoting organic ...
Organic Trade Association Launches Search for New CEO
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has announced the launch of a nationwide search for a new CEO and executive director. After more than a decade of service to OTA and the organic community, current CEO Laura Batcha plans to step down in spring 2022. “If there’s one thing I’m feeling right now, it’s confident,” said Batcha. “Confident in ...
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