Lisa Elaine Held
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social
Journalist: Food/ag/environment/health. Currently: Senior staff reporter + contributing editor @CivilEats, lisa@civileats.com. Secure: Signal/@lisaelaineh.47, lisaelaineh@protonmail.com
Pinned
Lisa Elaine Held
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social
· Feb 18
You can now reach me on Signal using the username @lisaelaineh.47.
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
#COP30, the 30th United Nations climate summit, kicked off this week in Brazil. The global food industry has been working to bring “a private sector voice” to the event. JBS, the world’s largest meat company, is at the forefront of those efforts.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
At COP30, Brazilian Meat Giant JBS Recommends Climate Policy
The world's biggest meat company, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is leading food-company efforts in global climate talks.
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#COP30, the 30th United Nations climate summit, kicked off this week in Brazil. The global food industry has been working to bring “a private sector voice” to the event. JBS, the world’s largest meat company, is at the forefront of those efforts.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
Also new this week, my @civileats.com reporting on salmonella in major poultry plants: civileats.com/2025/11/03/p...
Poultry Plants Consistently Violate Salmonella Standards, Report Finds
Perdue, Butterball, and Costco are among the companies that break food safety rules. Industry reps say contaminated chicken is not a danger.
civileats.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Also new this week, my @civileats.com reporting on salmonella in major poultry plants: civileats.com/2025/11/03/p...
New on @civileats.com yesterday morning: civileats.com/2025/11/03/u...
USDA Warns Retailers Not to Give Discounts to SNAP Recipients
Farms and grocery stores complied, scrapping plans to reduce prices for food-insecure families.
civileats.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
New on @civileats.com yesterday morning: civileats.com/2025/11/03/u...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, atrazine use poses little to no risk to endangered species if farmers follow EPA rules. But multiple assessments by the EPA detail the common herbicide’s environmental risks.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
Trump Administration Dismisses Risks of Atrazine, a Farm Herbicide
Experts say the chemical’s continued use will likely harm hundreds of endangered species, rendering some extinct.
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, atrazine use poses little to no risk to endangered species if farmers follow EPA rules. But multiple assessments by the EPA detail the common herbicide’s environmental risks.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
Core CDC functions threatened by mass layoffs during the government shutdown. Plus, MAHA is setting its sights on next year’s midterms.
foodfix.co/making-sense...
foodfix.co/making-sense...
Making sense of the mass, mid-shutdown CDC layoffs
Core CDC functions threatened by mass layoffs during the government shutdown. Plus, MAHA is setting its sights on next year’s midterms.
foodfix.co
October 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Core CDC functions threatened by mass layoffs during the government shutdown. Plus, MAHA is setting its sights on next year’s midterms.
foodfix.co/making-sense...
foodfix.co/making-sense...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
@willienelsonmusic.bsky.social launched @farmaid.org in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too.
Read more from Senior Staff Reporter @lisaelaineh.bsky.social. ⬇️
Read more from Senior Staff Reporter @lisaelaineh.bsky.social. ⬇️
At 40, Farm Aid Is Still About Music. It’s Also a Movement.
Willie Nelson launched the festival in 1985 to save family farms. Amid corporate consolidation, it’s now a platform for populist organizing.
buff.ly
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
@willienelsonmusic.bsky.social launched @farmaid.org in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too.
Read more from Senior Staff Reporter @lisaelaineh.bsky.social. ⬇️
Read more from Senior Staff Reporter @lisaelaineh.bsky.social. ⬇️
My latest news story for @civileats.com civileats.com/2025/10/06/l...
Trump Administration Eases Application Process and Lowers Wages for Guest Farmworkers
United Farm Workers said the shifts will hurt both migrant and domestic farmworkers. Farm groups praised the changes.
civileats.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
My latest news story for @civileats.com civileats.com/2025/10/06/l...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
During his first term, President Trump appointed leaders to the government’s food and farm departments that had strong industry ties. This time, many top officials at the USDA, EPA, and FDA have connections to chemical, agribusiness, or fossil fuel interests.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
The Industry Ties Within Trump’s Food and Ag Leadership
Many of the president’s top officials at USDA, EPA, HHS, and FDA have connections to chemical, agribusiness, or fossil fuel interests.
buff.ly
October 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
During his first term, President Trump appointed leaders to the government’s food and farm departments that had strong industry ties. This time, many top officials at the USDA, EPA, and FDA have connections to chemical, agribusiness, or fossil fuel interests.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
"We believe everyone who eats should know how policy decisions shape their food options."
Hear from our Operations Director @mattwheeland.bsky.social and Senior Staff Reporter and Contributing Editor @lisaelaineh.bsky.social in a Q&A interview with @npcinstitute.bsky.social. ⬇️
Hear from our Operations Director @mattwheeland.bsky.social and Senior Staff Reporter and Contributing Editor @lisaelaineh.bsky.social in a Q&A interview with @npcinstitute.bsky.social. ⬇️
How Civil Eats helps reporters and audiences understand federal food policy - Journalism Institute
As government cuts and the current shutdown threaten food safety and food access across the country, journalists need timely information about how communities may be affected. To connect federal food…
buff.ly
October 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"We believe everyone who eats should know how policy decisions shape their food options."
Hear from our Operations Director @mattwheeland.bsky.social and Senior Staff Reporter and Contributing Editor @lisaelaineh.bsky.social in a Q&A interview with @npcinstitute.bsky.social. ⬇️
Hear from our Operations Director @mattwheeland.bsky.social and Senior Staff Reporter and Contributing Editor @lisaelaineh.bsky.social in a Q&A interview with @npcinstitute.bsky.social. ⬇️
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
Why our agriculture secretary sees growing demand for beef (and whole milk) even amid high prices. Ben Carson dings processed foods, touting SNAP stocking rule. Plus, a new documentary turns up the heat on Big Food.
foodfix.co/booming-beef...
foodfix.co/booming-beef...
Booming beef demand could get a boost from dietary guidelines
Why our agriculture secretary sees growing demand for beef (and whole milk) even amid high prices. Ben Carson dings processed foods, touting SNAP stocking rule. Plus, a new documentary turns up the he...
foodfix.co
September 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Why our agriculture secretary sees growing demand for beef (and whole milk) even amid high prices. Ben Carson dings processed foods, touting SNAP stocking rule. Plus, a new documentary turns up the heat on Big Food.
foodfix.co/booming-beef...
foodfix.co/booming-beef...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
At @civileats.com, @lisaelaineh.bsky.social is up with a fascinating interview with influencer Jessica Knurick, who recently rose to fame on Instagram with her reels fact-checking MAHA.
civileats.com/2025/09/30/j...
civileats.com/2025/09/30/j...
Jessica Knurick Is on a Crusade to Correct MAHA Misinformation
The researcher has been studying food and chronic disease prevention for years. Now she’s a leading fact-checker in a national conversation.
civileats.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
At @civileats.com, @lisaelaineh.bsky.social is up with a fascinating interview with influencer Jessica Knurick, who recently rose to fame on Instagram with her reels fact-checking MAHA.
civileats.com/2025/09/30/j...
civileats.com/2025/09/30/j...
Our first story on today’s MAHA report release, with more to come. @civileats.com civileats.com/2025/09/09/m...
MAHA Report Moves Further Away From Restricting Pesticides
The final recommendations from the MAHA Commission align more with the agricultural industry’s goals than the MAHA movement’s asks.
civileats.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Our first story on today’s MAHA report release, with more to come. @civileats.com civileats.com/2025/09/09/m...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
Despite MAHA promises to reduce chemical exposures, experts warn the Trump administration is approving a wave of ‘frightening’ pesticides.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
EPA Approves Four New Pesticides That Qualify as PFAS
Despite MAHA promises to reduce chemical exposures, experts warn the Trump administration is approving a wave of ‘frightening’ pesticides.
buff.ly
September 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Despite MAHA promises to reduce chemical exposures, experts warn the Trump administration is approving a wave of ‘frightening’ pesticides.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
While the Clean Water Act led to a massive reduction in pollution from other industries, the EPA has failed to regulate nitrogen and phosphorus from meat processing facilities in the same way. civileats.com/2025/09/02/e...
EPA Scraps Rules to Curb Pollution from Meat and Poultry Plants
Administrator Lee Zeldin said the decision will support lower food prices, but environmental groups argue it will allow multinational meat companies to taint drinking water.
civileats.com
September 3, 2025 at 2:39 PM
While the Clean Water Act led to a massive reduction in pollution from other industries, the EPA has failed to regulate nitrogen and phosphorus from meat processing facilities in the same way. civileats.com/2025/09/02/e...
4 key leaders resigned, including Daniel Jernigan, who led the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)….responsible for tracking foodborne illness outbreaks, zoonotic diseases, and antibiotic resistant bacteria, which can develop on farms. civileats.com/2025/08/28/c...
CDC Exodus Includes Lead Official Tracking Food Safety and Animal Agriculture Disease
Health expert warns that personnel losses and low morale are ‘strangling public health.’
civileats.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:58 PM
4 key leaders resigned, including Daniel Jernigan, who led the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)….responsible for tracking foodborne illness outbreaks, zoonotic diseases, and antibiotic resistant bacteria, which can develop on farms. civileats.com/2025/08/28/c...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
Taking stock of one year of MAHA. Kennedy: Dietary Guidelines on track for late September. The latest on SNAP restrictions waivers.
foodfix.co/its-official...
foodfix.co/its-official...
It’s officially been one year since MAHA was born. Tracking the latest.
Taking stock of one year of MAHA. Kennedy: Dietary Guidelines on track for late September. The latest on SNAP restrictions waivers.
foodfix.co
August 27, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Taking stock of one year of MAHA. Kennedy: Dietary Guidelines on track for late September. The latest on SNAP restrictions waivers.
foodfix.co/its-official...
foodfix.co/its-official...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
Factcheck: Trump’s climate report includes more than 100 false or misleading claims @carbonbrief.org interactive.carbonbrief.org/doe-factchec...
Factcheck: Trump’s climate report includes more than 100 false or misleading claims
interactive.carbonbrief.org
August 14, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Factcheck: Trump’s climate report includes more than 100 false or misleading claims @carbonbrief.org interactive.carbonbrief.org/doe-factchec...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
A really thoughtful piece by @lisaelaineh.bsky.social.
MAHA w/o addressing climate change and its ag causes, including confined animal feeding operations & biofuels, is a pathetic fig leaf while extractive ag keeps adding fuel to the fire.
Energy & ag policies need to change to address CC impacts.
MAHA w/o addressing climate change and its ag causes, including confined animal feeding operations & biofuels, is a pathetic fig leaf while extractive ag keeps adding fuel to the fire.
Energy & ag policies need to change to address CC impacts.
The #MAHA movement wants farmers to produce healthier food, but the climate crisis and Trump’s energy policies are making that harder to do.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
The MAHA Movement’s Climate Conundrum
Make America Healthy Again wants farmers to produce healthier food, but the climate change and Trump's policies are making that harder to do.
buff.ly
August 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
A really thoughtful piece by @lisaelaineh.bsky.social.
MAHA w/o addressing climate change and its ag causes, including confined animal feeding operations & biofuels, is a pathetic fig leaf while extractive ag keeps adding fuel to the fire.
Energy & ag policies need to change to address CC impacts.
MAHA w/o addressing climate change and its ag causes, including confined animal feeding operations & biofuels, is a pathetic fig leaf while extractive ag keeps adding fuel to the fire.
Energy & ag policies need to change to address CC impacts.
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
The #MAHA movement wants farmers to produce healthier food, but the climate crisis and Trump’s energy policies are making that harder to do.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
The MAHA Movement’s Climate Conundrum
Make America Healthy Again wants farmers to produce healthier food, but the climate change and Trump's policies are making that harder to do.
buff.ly
August 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The #MAHA movement wants farmers to produce healthier food, but the climate crisis and Trump’s energy policies are making that harder to do.
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
@lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
🎙️Journalist @lisaelaineh.bsky.social of @civileats.com says that food policy is never just one thing. It affects everything from rural communities and the environment to hunger, wellbeing, and immigration.
Listen to Lisa in conversation with Douglas Haynes here: www.wortfm.org/food-program...
Listen to Lisa in conversation with Douglas Haynes here: www.wortfm.org/food-program...
Food Programs Scrounge While ICE Feasts - WORT-FM 89.9
Journalist Lisa Held decodes the opaque realm of federal food and agriculture policy from cuts to SNAP to immigration.
www.wortfm.org
August 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
🎙️Journalist @lisaelaineh.bsky.social of @civileats.com says that food policy is never just one thing. It affects everything from rural communities and the environment to hunger, wellbeing, and immigration.
Listen to Lisa in conversation with Douglas Haynes here: www.wortfm.org/food-program...
Listen to Lisa in conversation with Douglas Haynes here: www.wortfm.org/food-program...
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
Democrats and Republicans are co-sponsoring the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, which has broad support among farm groups.
Bipartisan Proposal Aims to Make Up for USDA’s Cuts to Local Food Funding
Democrats and Republicans are co-sponsoring the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, which has broad support among farm groups.
buff.ly
August 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Democrats and Republicans are co-sponsoring the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, which has broad support among farm groups.
Reposted by Lisa Elaine Held
During a Senate hearing, Stephen Vaden said the agency’s plan to move employees out of DC will reduce costs; senators complained about not being consulted.
USDA Deputy Secretary Defends Reorganization Plan
During a Senate hearing, Stephen Vaden said the agency’s plan to move employees out of DC will reduce costs; senators complained about not being consulted.
buff.ly
August 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
During a Senate hearing, Stephen Vaden said the agency’s plan to move employees out of DC will reduce costs; senators complained about not being consulted.
“The public health consequences will be immediate, widespread, and devastating.” That includes for farmers and the entire food system. @civileats.com civileats.com/2025/07/30/e...
EPA Proposes Eliminating Its Own Ability to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The repeal of the ‘endangerment finding’ has profound implications for farmers and the entire food system.
civileats.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:59 PM
“The public health consequences will be immediate, widespread, and devastating.” That includes for farmers and the entire food system. @civileats.com civileats.com/2025/07/30/e...
I wrote about the Regional Food Business Centers for @civileats.com back in April. Today, USDA cancelled the program. civileats.com/2025/07/15/u...
USDA Cancels More Support for Regional Food Systems
The agency is eliminating the Regional Food Business Centers, a program meant to help small farms and other food businesses build local infrastructure.
civileats.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I wrote about the Regional Food Business Centers for @civileats.com back in April. Today, USDA cancelled the program. civileats.com/2025/07/15/u...