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Civil Eats
@civileats.com
· Jan 21
Introducing Civil Eats’ Food Policy Tracker, your go-to source for daily federal food and farm updates.
➡️ civileats.com/food-policy-...
➡️ civileats.com/food-policy-...
On the day that Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, restaurant owner Tracy Wong didn’t hesitate to immediately help her community.
“Whatever I do, like right now, I do with love. I like to tell everyone that. . . . When people need help, please help them.”
“Whatever I do, like right now, I do with love. I like to tell everyone that. . . . When people need help, please help them.”
In the Face of ICE, This Minneapolis Restaurant Owner Shelters and Feeds Her Community
After the shooting of Alex Pretti, Tracy Wong of My Huong Kitchen has kept her doors open to protestors, journalists, and residents alike.
civileats.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM
On the day that Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, restaurant owner Tracy Wong didn’t hesitate to immediately help her community.
“Whatever I do, like right now, I do with love. I like to tell everyone that. . . . When people need help, please help them.”
“Whatever I do, like right now, I do with love. I like to tell everyone that. . . . When people need help, please help them.”
Farm and meatpacking workers are going to court seeking justice, even as the Trump administration’s deportation efforts threaten their status.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports. ⬇️ civileats.com/2026/02/09/d...
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports. ⬇️ civileats.com/2026/02/09/d...
Despite Federal Immigrant Crackdown, Food Workers Sue Over Workplace Abuses
Farm and meatpacking workers are going to court seeking justice, even as the Trump administration's deportation efforts threaten their status.
civileats.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Farm and meatpacking workers are going to court seeking justice, even as the Trump administration’s deportation efforts threaten their status.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports. ⬇️ civileats.com/2026/02/09/d...
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports. ⬇️ civileats.com/2026/02/09/d...
At the Future Harvest conference in Maryland, we heard about distribution, equipment, infrastructure, and the weather.
Mid-Atlantic Farmers Share Challenges
At the Future Harvest conference in Maryland, we heard about distribution, equipment, infrastructure, and the weather.
civileats.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 AM
At the Future Harvest conference in Maryland, we heard about distribution, equipment, infrastructure, and the weather.
Despite claims that the agency is “reassessing” the safety of paraquat, the Trump administration is simply continuing work started by the Biden administration—but not reevaluating the science on the herbicide’s link to Parkinson’s.
The EPA Is Not Starting a New Review of Paraquat
Despite claims the EPA is ‘reassessing’ a controversial weedkiller, the Trump administration is not reevaluating its link to Parkinson’s.
civileats.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Despite claims that the agency is “reassessing” the safety of paraquat, the Trump administration is simply continuing work started by the Biden administration—but not reevaluating the science on the herbicide’s link to Parkinson’s.
More than 40 growers across the U.S. are working to preserve Palestinian heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
The US Farmers Saving Palestinian Seeds
More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
civileats.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
More than 40 growers across the U.S. are working to preserve Palestinian heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
The FDA will scale back on enforcing food dye labeling, making it easier for food companies to advertise products as made with no artificial dyes.
FDA Makes It Easier for Food Products To Be Labeled ‘No Artificial Dyes’
The agency said the move would make it easier for food manufacturers to transition to natural dyes, but public health groups say it will enable misleading labels on artificially colored foods.
civileats.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The FDA will scale back on enforcing food dye labeling, making it easier for food companies to advertise products as made with no artificial dyes.
The agency said the move would make it easier for food manufacturers to transition to natural dyes, but public health groups say it will enable misleading labels on artificially colored foods.
FDA Makes It Easier for Food Products To Be Labeled ‘No Artificial Dyes’
The agency said the move would make it easier for food manufacturers to transition to natural dyes, but public health groups say it will enable misleading labels on artificially colored foods.
civileats.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The agency said the move would make it easier for food manufacturers to transition to natural dyes, but public health groups say it will enable misleading labels on artificially colored foods.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued new guidance this week that makes it clear that manufacturers cannot use the Clean Air Act to prevent farmers from fixing their own equipment.
EPA Affirms Farmers’ Right to Repair
The agency issued new guidance on a Biden-era policy, which prohibits manufacturers from using environmental laws to prevent repair work.
civileats.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:01 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency issued new guidance this week that makes it clear that manufacturers cannot use the Clean Air Act to prevent farmers from fixing their own equipment.
In the town of Fayetteville, food security efforts have spanned the private and public sectors for many years. At the heart of the work is the community’s approach to nutrition education for youth, including growing food.
Fighting Hunger in Fayetteville, Arkansas
With federal funding gone, a multipronged community effort is underway in the town of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to maintain food access.
civileats.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:15 AM
In the town of Fayetteville, food security efforts have spanned the private and public sectors for many years. At the heart of the work is the community’s approach to nutrition education for youth, including growing food.
The EPA issued new guidance on a Biden-era policy, which prohibits manufacturers from using environmental laws to prevent repair work.
EPA Affirms Farmers’ Right to Repair
The agency issued new guidance on a Biden-era policy, which prohibits manufacturers from using environmental laws to prevent repair work.
civileats.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The EPA issued new guidance on a Biden-era policy, which prohibits manufacturers from using environmental laws to prevent repair work.
The USDA is starting to roll out more than a billion dollars of food aid funding that went unspent after the dismantling of USAID last year.
USDA Takes Over Food for Peace
The agency is starting to roll out more than a billion dollars of food aid funding that went unspent after the dismantling of USAID last year.
civileats.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The USDA is starting to roll out more than a billion dollars of food aid funding that went unspent after the dismantling of USAID last year.
On the day Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents, restaurant owner Tracy Wong didn’t hesitate to open her doors to protestors, offering them safety from law enforcement’s dispersal tactics. Now, residents are stopping by to thank her and dine at My Huong Kitchen.
In the Face of ICE, This Minneapolis Restaurant Owner Shelters and Feeds Her Community
After the shooting of Alex Pretti, Tracy Wong of My Huong Kitchen has kept her doors open to protestors, journalists, and residents alike.
civileats.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM
On the day Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents, restaurant owner Tracy Wong didn’t hesitate to open her doors to protestors, offering them safety from law enforcement’s dispersal tactics. Now, residents are stopping by to thank her and dine at My Huong Kitchen.
Since 2023, Israeli bombing and ground assaults have left only 1.5% of Gaza farmland undamaged. To continue the work of preserving seeds, the Palestinian Heirloom Seed Library launched the Seed Protectors Project in 2024. Today, more than 40 U.S. growers are working to preserve heirloom seeds.
The US Farmers Saving Palestinian Seeds
More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
civileats.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Since 2023, Israeli bombing and ground assaults have left only 1.5% of Gaza farmland undamaged. To continue the work of preserving seeds, the Palestinian Heirloom Seed Library launched the Seed Protectors Project in 2024. Today, more than 40 U.S. growers are working to preserve heirloom seeds.
Reposted by Civil Eats
Some news updates from me in the @civileats.com food policy tracker so far this week…. civileats.com/2026/02/04/u...
USDA Takes Over Food for Peace
The agency is starting to roll out more than a billion dollars of food aid funding that went unspent after the dismantling of USAID last year.
civileats.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Some news updates from me in the @civileats.com food policy tracker so far this week…. civileats.com/2026/02/04/u...
The USDA announced Tuesday that it is now operating the foreign food aid program Food for Peace and that it is moving quickly to get the program back on track to deliver “lifesaving food assistance.”
USDA Takes Over Food for Peace
The agency is starting to roll out more than a billion dollars of food aid funding that went unspent after the dismantling of USAID last year.
civileats.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
The USDA announced Tuesday that it is now operating the foreign food aid program Food for Peace and that it is moving quickly to get the program back on track to deliver “lifesaving food assistance.”
Last month, Mid-Atlantic farmers gathered for the 2026 Future Harvest conference to learn, network, and share resources. We spoke with attendees about the biggest challenges they’re facing today. buff.ly/QyP6fPh
February 4, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Last month, Mid-Atlantic farmers gathered for the 2026 Future Harvest conference to learn, network, and share resources. We spoke with attendees about the biggest challenges they’re facing today. buff.ly/QyP6fPh
On the day that Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, restaurant owner Tracy Wong didn’t hesitate to help her community. She opened her doors to protestors struggling to see and breathe after agents threw tear-gas canisters into the crowds.
In the Face of ICE, This Minneapolis Restaurant Owner Shelters and Feeds Her Community
After the shooting of Alex Pretti, Tracy Wong of My Huong Kitchen has kept her doors open to protestors, journalists, and residents alike.
civileats.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
On the day that Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, restaurant owner Tracy Wong didn’t hesitate to help her community. She opened her doors to protestors struggling to see and breathe after agents threw tear-gas canisters into the crowds.
More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve treasured heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
The US Farmers Saving Palestinian Seeds
More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
civileats.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:00 AM
More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve treasured heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attributes the decline to a stronger economy and higher wages, but an anti-hunger advocate says the drop in enrollment is not a sign that the need for food assistance has decreased.
At Least 1.75 Million Fewer People Are Receiving SNAP Since Trump Took Office
The drop in enrollment is not a sign that the need for food assistance has declined, however, according to an anti-hunger advocate.
civileats.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attributes the decline to a stronger economy and higher wages, but an anti-hunger advocate says the drop in enrollment is not a sign that the need for food assistance has decreased.
The West Bank-based Palestine Heritage Seed Library collects and distributes Palestinian seeds for cultivation. Approximately 40 growers in the U.S. are part of the library’s Seed Protectors Project and are working to preserve treasured heirloom seeds.
The US Farmers Saving Palestinian Seeds
More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.
civileats.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
The West Bank-based Palestine Heritage Seed Library collects and distributes Palestinian seeds for cultivation. Approximately 40 growers in the U.S. are part of the library’s Seed Protectors Project and are working to preserve treasured heirloom seeds.
In the town of Fayetteville, Ark., food security efforts have spanned the private and public sectors for many years. At the heart of the work is the community’s approach to nutrition education for kids.
Fighting Hunger in Fayetteville, Arkansas
With federal funding gone, a multipronged community effort is underway in the town of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to maintain food access.
civileats.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:00 AM
In the town of Fayetteville, Ark., food security efforts have spanned the private and public sectors for many years. At the heart of the work is the community’s approach to nutrition education for kids.
The Securities and Exchange Commission changed an obscure policy last week that could make it harder for shareholders to pass resolutions that call on companies—including food and agriculture companies—to improve environmental and social outcomes.
New Federal Policy Could Undercut Shareholder Food Activism
Shareholder resolutions are often used to push food and agriculture companies to reduce antibiotic use, improve pesticide reporting, and cut food waste.
civileats.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:30 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission changed an obscure policy last week that could make it harder for shareholders to pass resolutions that call on companies—including food and agriculture companies—to improve environmental and social outcomes.
An estimated 1.75 million fewer people are participating in SNAP since the start of the Trump administration, demonstrating a decline even before large policy changes to the program began to take effect in November.
At Least 1.75 Million Fewer People Are Receiving SNAP Since Trump Took Office
The drop in enrollment is not a sign that the need for food assistance has declined, however, according to an anti-hunger advocate.
civileats.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
An estimated 1.75 million fewer people are participating in SNAP since the start of the Trump administration, demonstrating a decline even before large policy changes to the program began to take effect in November.
Despite claims that the agency is ‘reassessing’ the controversial weedkiller, the Trump administration is simply continuing work started by the Biden administration—but not reevaluating the science on the herbicide’s link to Parkinson’s.
The EPA Is Not Starting a New Review of Paraquat
Despite claims the EPA is ‘reassessing’ a controversial weedkiller, the Trump administration is not reevaluating its link to Parkinson’s.
civileats.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Despite claims that the agency is ‘reassessing’ the controversial weedkiller, the Trump administration is simply continuing work started by the Biden administration—but not reevaluating the science on the herbicide’s link to Parkinson’s.
Arkansas has the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation. With federal funding gone, a multipronged community effort is underway to maintain food access.
Fighting Hunger in Fayetteville, Arkansas
With federal funding gone, a multipronged community effort is underway in the town of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to maintain food access.
civileats.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Arkansas has the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation. With federal funding gone, a multipronged community effort is underway to maintain food access.