Food reserves needed to respond to global food crisis, civil society groups say

Minneapolis/Dublin – Civil society organizations today called on governments and United Nations bodies to honor previous commitments to explore the potential of food reserves to address hunger and stabilize agricultural markets.

Biomass Crop Assistance Program needs clarification, improvemement, says IATP

Minneapolis – The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) must undergo significant revision before the program’s next phase is launched, said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) in comments submitted on April 8 to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Farm to school efforts double in Minnesota: Demand from students, farmers and schools grows for farm to school programs

Minneapolis – The number of Minnesota school districts purchasing fresh food from local farms has more than doubled in the last 15 months, according to a survey released today by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

CFTC should impose tough limits on Wall Street speculators

Minneapolis – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) should act immediately to limit excessive speculation by Wall Street firms on energy derivatives trades, a move that will help address extreme volatility in both energy and agricultural markets, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) said in a comment submitte

Agriculture and rural groups defend EPA’s ability to protect climate, public health

Minneapolis – Over 25 organizations representing agriculture organizations and rural communities sent a letter to the Senate yesterday urging Senators to reject attempts to undermine the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s ability to enforce the Clean Air Act.

Cheap food policy contributing to childhood obesity

Minneapolis – A decades-old “cheap food” policy has helped create a broken U.S. food system where unhealthy foods are both cheaper and more available to children than are healthy foods, writes the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s David Wallinga, M.D.

Agricultural Policy and Childhood Obesity

The March, 2010, Vol. 29, No.3 issue of the influential Health Affairs journal comes out blazing with editor-in-chief Susan Dentzer writing that “America is guilty of child abuse.” The issue focuses on childhood obesity and includes a series of articles related to kid's snacks, school lunches, food marketing and strategies for prevention.

USDA not the only federal agency influencing our food system, new paper reports

Minneapolis – While the U.S.

IATP applauds first lady Michelle Obama’s initiative on childhood obesity

Minneapolis– In a speech before the U.S. Conference of Mayors, first lady Michelle Obama cited Minneapolis mini farmers markets in underserved communities as an example of new local initiatives to combat obesity and connect children with healthier foods.

IATP congratulates Wayzata Public Schools nutrition leader for national award

Minneapolis – Mary Anderson, supervisor of Wayzata Public Schools’ Culinary Express foodservice program, was honored yesterday by the School Nutrition Association for her innovative leadership of Wayzata’s school nutrition program.