The USDA published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), requiring that a broader variety of nutritious food is available to SNAP participants at authorized retailers. Since January 2025, the Food and Nutrition Service has taken action on nearly 3,200 retailers regarding current stocking standards, either for failing to meet them …

There is good news for walnuts in the newly released 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which emphasize “real”, nutrient-dense foods — including nuts — as the foundation of a healthy diet. The DGAs recognize nuts as a source of plant-based protein and emphasize consumption of healthy fats found in whole foods across multiple age groups and life-stages, and the …

A new article appearing in the current issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry explores the concept of “superfoods” and makes a case that fresh grapes have earned what should be a prominent position in the superfood family. The author, leading resveratrol and cancer researcher John M. Pezzuto, Ph.D., D.Sc., Dean of the College of Pharmacy and …

California walnuts are shedding their traditional image and emerging as a must-have ingredient for health-conscious young consumers. The California Walnut Board & Commission has launched its bold new “Feel Good” campaign – an integrated marketing effort designed to drive consumer demand and reposition walnuts as a vibrant, versatile offering within the fresh produce space. Grounded in extensive consumer research, the …

Afternoon snacking is becoming more prevalent than ever, with 35% of consumers now snacking between 2 and 5 p.m.* For most, the dreaded afternoon slump typically hits at 3 p.m. To help consumers snap out of the slump, Real California Milk is declaring 3:00 p.m. the official snacking hour for Californians! When it comes to delicious, satisfying snacks, nothing beats …

In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has taken bold action to support the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and work to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “President Trump has made fixing our chronic health problems a main priority. Our farmers and ranchers …

It doesn’t require a degree in ornithology, a lab test or even an app for most growers to determine whether bird poop near their crops presents a food safety risk. They just need to ask themselves a simple question: How big is it? That’s according to a study from the University of California, Davis, published today in the Journal of …

The best of organic – from innovative entrepreneurs and established organic brands to cutting-edge organic research and visionary scientists – will be honored next month at organic’s premier event at the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California. Hosted by The Organic Center and Organic Voices, “An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Year’s Best in Organic” on March …

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the return of its consumer promotion focused on holiday breakfast traditions made special with California dairy. The annual campaign – titled Holiday Mornings Mean More – debuted in 2020 and focuses on the California market. Holiday Mornings Mean More communicates messages of family, togetherness, and the importance of celebrating time together over the …

The Meat Institute announced that Dr. KatieRose McCullough has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) bringing her scientific expertise and industry knowledge to federal food safety agencies. “Dr. McCullough has her finger on the pulse of industry food safety best practices, scientific research and rulemaking,” said Meat Institute …