Latest Tom Vilsack News
USDA bans school lunch fees for low-income families
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that students eligible for free or reduced price school meals cannot be charged processing fees beginning in 2027. School districts currently work with processing companies to offer cashless payment systems for families....
US to hand over pest inspections of Mexican avocados to Mexico and California growers aren't happy
MEXICO CITY (AP) — California avocado growers are fuming this week about a U.S. decision to hand over pest inspections of Mexican orchards to the Mexican government. Inspectors hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been guarding against imports of avocados infected with...
The Clintons pitch philanthropic commitments as pro-democracy work at their 2024 foundation meeting
NEW YORK (AP) — With the backdrop of elections worldwide that highlight strains on democracy, former President Bill Clinton urged attendees of his foundation's annual meeting to meet their communities' needs through collective action. Strong democratic institutions, Clinton argued,...
Farmers in 6 Vermont counties affected by flooding can apply for emergency loans
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Farmers in six Vermont counties can now apply for emergency loans granted by a federal disaster declaration in response to heavy rain and flooding in July. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved Gov. Phil Scott's request on Thursday. ...
Senators demand the USDA fix its backlog of food distribution to Native American tribes
A bipartisan group of senators is demanding immediate action from USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack after several tribal nations reported that a federal food distribution program they rely on has not fulfilled orders for months, and in some cases has delivered expired food. Last spring,...
