Press Release

Weak CFTC position-limit rule ineffective, unsound says IATP

Today’s Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)  3-2 vote to pass a weak position-limit rule will not suffice to prevent excessive speculation that has roiled commodity prices since at least 2006, according to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

Students to get a big taste of Minnesota during Farm to School Month

MINNEAPOLIS – Students across Minnesota will enjoy a wide variety of Minnesota-grown produce during the month of September as part of the expanding effort to connect K-12 students with fresh, locally grown foods and the farmers who grow them.

IATP applauds ethanol producer POET’s move to antibiotic-free ethanol production

POET, the world’s largest ethanol producer, announced Monday the launch of an antibiotic-free ethanol production process in select plants. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) applauded the initiative, and called for the rest of the ethanol industry to remove antibiotics from their production.

Governor Dayton proclaims September Farm to School Month in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – Governor Mark Dayton on Thursday, August 25, proclaimed September as Farm to School Month in recognition of the many benefits that Farm to School brings to K-12 students and the local agricultural economy in Minnesota.

Innovative program at six Minneapolis farmers markets helps low-income Minnesotans eat better, supports Minnesota farmers

MINNEAPOLIS – Affordable, healthy food is now easier to get for people who buy food with food stamps, thanks to a coordinated effort that allows more farmers markets to accept EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards. Now people can use EBT cards to buy fruits, vegetables and other healthy food at six Minneapolis farmers markets (up from three last year). The markets are:

Racing Ahead: U.S. Agri-Nanotechnology in the Absence of Regulation

This IATP report examines food and agricultural applications of nanotechnology, such as coatings used on fruits and vegetables to preserve shelf life, and details possible hazards to human health and the environment if they are marketed without pre-market safety assessment and post-market surveillance.