Gourmet News

USDA Invests $52M to Improve Access to Fruits, Vegetables

Published November 13, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families.

The funds support efforts across three National Institute of Food and Agriculture competitive grant programs that make up the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.

The program is named in honor of the former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (1997 to 2001).

“USDA is delivering on its promise to bolster food and nutrition security for underserved communities,” said USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young. “Investments like this enable people to afford and eat healthy fresh fruits and vegetables so they don’t have to make a choice between healthy eating and cheaper less healthier options.”

GusNIP’s three grant programs include Nutrition Incentive, Produce Prescription and the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information Center. By bringing together stakeholders from various parts of the food and health care systems, GusNIP projects help foster understanding to improve the health and nutritional status of participating households, facilitate growth in underrepresented communities and geographies, and aggregate data to identify and improve best practices on a broad scale.

“GusNIP has provided over $270 million in funding to nearly 200 projects throughout the U.S. since its 2019 launch and participants are consistently reporting increased fruit and vegetable intake as a result,” said NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra. “This latest round of funding only strengthens the impacts these programs are having nationwide.”

Nineteen awardees are receiving GusNIP Nutrition Incentive funding totaling $41.8 million. NI projects increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income-eligible households participating in the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Produce Prescription awards account for $5.2 million to 11 awardees. These projects demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions. The goals of the program are to increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce individual and household food insecurity and reduce health care use and associated costs.

One awardee is receiving $7 million through the NTAE Center program. NTAE projects offer training, technical assistance, evaluation and informational support services.

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IDF Animal Health Report Details Young Stock Management

Published November 9, 2023

The latest edition of the International Dairy Federation Animal Health Report, dedicated to the science and practice of young stock management, takes readers on a global journey, exploring intriguing and inspirational cases from around the world, emphasizing the pivotal role played by calf and young animal management in ensuring the health and welfare of the dairy sector.

The IDF Animal Health Report transports its readers to diverse locations, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Additionally, the report provides valuable insights from the World Organisation for Animal Health, one of IDF’s key stakeholders.

Whether you are a seasoned dairy farmer with years of experience or an inquisitive observer seeking knowledge, this edition shines a light on the transformation in the global dairy landscape. Today, animal welfare is viewed holistically, with a strong emphasis on the care and nurturing of calves and youngstock. This shift in perspective has made animal health and welfare a top priority for the dairy industry.

Caroline Emond, director general of the International Dairy Federation, said, “I extend a warm invitation to immerse yourself in this exploration of young stock management, with the goal of championing the well-being of the future generation of dairy animals. The health and welfare of our young stock are the foundation upon which a thriving and sustainable dairying is constructed.”

This edition of the IDF Animal Health Report is a testament to the global efforts to advance young stock management and to create a brighter future for dairy animals. The IDF continues to be at the forefront of initiatives to promote best practices and innovative approaches in the dairy industry.

For more information and to access the IDF Animal Health Report, please visit the IDF website.

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Walker’s Shortbread Leader Marjorie Henderson Walker Dies

Published November 6, 2023

Marjorie Henderson Walker, who grew her family’s business Walker’s Shortbread “from one village bakery employing 20 people into an international business employing over 1,000 people,” died peacefully in Aberlour, Scotland, on Oct. 22.

The company posted an obituary on its website:

Marjorie, fondly known as ‘Marj’, was born in Inverness on 17th July 1940, daughter of the late James and Winnie Walker, a younger sister of Joe and older sister to James.

Marjorie is survived by her son David, daughter in law Beverley, grandson Josh and great grandchildren, Evie and Jack. Sadly her younger grandson Brodie passed away in 2018 at the age of 23.

Since she was a child, Marjorie had a huge love of all things nature – the countryside, farming, birds and animals, with a particular love of both horses and dogs.

Marjorie attended school in her home village of Aberlour. After school, Marjorie followed her passion attending equestrian schools in both the Cotswolds and Germany. During her time in Germany, Marjorie unfortunately suffered a bad knee injury, which ruled out the equestrian career she had dreamed of.

In 1962, Marjorie returned home to Speyside and joined her family business Walker’s Shortbread. She was made a full partner in the business with brothers Joe and Jim and was one of the three founding directors in 1980, when the Limited Company was formed.

During her 40 year career with the business Marjorie did a fantastic job for the company. She oversaw administration, and in the early days attended key events and food shows as the Walker’s brand was beginning to grow. As time went on, she managed the finances, and took on the role of Company Secretary later in her tenure. Marjorie also passionately managed the company’s five bakery shops, a responsibility which she greatly enjoyed, and they thrived under her management.

Marjorie was a real people person, like her father, and was full of kindness. Marjorie was popular with staff and managed customer relationships very well, in the process making good friends both at home and abroad. She was a composed and magnificent ambassador for the family business and an accomplished bridge-builder when there were disagreements to overcome.

Marjorie’s role in the development of Walker’s was highly significant and she was both a motivated and motivational businesswoman. During her time with the business, it grew from one village bakery employing 20 people into an international business employing over 1,000 people.

With great enthusiasm for animals and agriculture, Marjorie fulfilled her lifelong ambition of buying a farm with her son David who manages the farm to this day. Marjorie was a loving mother to her son David, and later to her grandsons Josh and Brodie all of whom she adored and championed passionately.

Marjorie was enormously loved by many people around the world, especially colleagues and customers. She will always be remembered as a fun-loving passionate and dynamic woman who will never be forgotten.