Since taking office in January, the Biden-Harris administration has been on a mission to “Build Back Better.” From the American Rescue Plan to the American Jobs Plan and now with the introduction of the American Families Plan last month, action has been taken to rescue and begin to rebuild our economy. Over the last 100 Days, we have seen containment of COVID-19, efforts to curtail hunger and provide better nutrition security, efforts to address climate change, and new initiatives to help struggling farmers and food producers. These efforts, no matter whether one is a Democrat or a Republican, have decreased food insecurity and poverty rates, increased agricultural and export opportunities, and improved critical infrastructure and business investments within the food sector. Now where are we headed?
Moving Forward
The American Rescue Plan is now shifting into higher gear by continuing to help families recover by delivering $12 billion in nutrition assistance to needy families; providing financial investment across the food supply chain including investments in farming and to producers by putting approximately $5 billion in assistance to socially disadvantaged producers; and putting nearly $700 million toward healthcare and housing assistance for rural Americans.
USDA’s accomplishments in the first 100 days of the new administration have played a major role in helping to get the economy back on track, reducing hunger, and transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production.
All of this will cost money…. lots of money. The U.S. economy still has a long way to go. Yes, there will be roadblocks as Democrats and Republicans debate how to pay for all these initiatives. But at least the country is moving forward to rebuilding now that the pandemic is just about in our rearview mirror. Following is what the two major departments that oversee the food and farm industry – USDA and FDA – are seeking in the recently announced President’s Fiscal 2022 budget. Specifically, funds requested for the food industry are as follows:
Within the president’s $6 trillion request is a nearly 17 percent increase in discretionary funding for USDA. USDA has requested a total of $198.1 billion. The budget’s impact upon USDA, among other things, will support a stronger nutrition safety net and request $6.7 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to help vulnerable families.
FDA Budget Needs
Within FDA, the agency’s budget for foods and food safety would get almost $1.2 billion, up from $1.1 billion in fiscal 2021. Specifically, FDA is requesting, among other critical needs, $97 million in additional investments to fund core FDA safety programs. This includes food safety investments to support implementation of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint that I have written about previously to reduce the number of illnesses attributed to FDA-regulated foods. There is also funding set aside to bolster support programs for maternal and infant health and nutrition.
Well, that is a quick snapshot of the first 100 plus days! Now, let us read about other news from the Hill impacting our food business.
FDA and Delis
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new report on a study of foodborne illness risk factors in retail food store deli departments. This study is part of a 10-year initiative that examined when foodborne illness risk factors, such as employees practicing poor personal hygiene, and food safety practices, like improper handwashing, occur. An analysis of the study data showed that deli departments had the best control over ensuring no bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods and cooking of raw animal foods to the required temperatures. In contrast, the most common food safety behaviors and practices needing better control included ensuring employees practiced proper handwashing, holding foods requiring refrigeration at the proper temperatures, and cooling foods properly.
Foodborne illness remains a major public health concern in the U.S. causing approximately 48 million illnesses and 3,000 deaths each year and costing roughly $77.7 billion annually. For more information or to ask questions about the study, contact retailfoodpolicyteam@fda.hhs.gov.
Food Help For Seniors
USDA announced last month that the department will increase food assistance for low-income seniors by providing $37 million in additional support to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. States will soon receive the additional funds, in addition to up to $2.6 million in administrative funds from a previous COVID relief bill.
Food aid spending, according to Politico News, surpassed $122 billion in 2020, a 30 percent increase in fiscal year 2020 because of the pandemic, thus setting a record amount.
But wait! Additional help is on the way to help feed Americans. Senator Cory Booker (D- NJ), the new chair of Senate agriculture’s nutrition and specialty crops subcommittee, said just last month that he plans to focus on the country’s food justice and nutrition problems. He cited worsening rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases in a Politico interview. We will be watching for new legislative initiatives to come from the former Presidential candidate as he also called for a second White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health (the last such conference took place in 1969, under former President Richard Nixon). Booker also wants to create a permanent USDA specialty-crop food box program to help farmers and low-income Americans. You may recall in a prior column when I reported that the Trump administration’s Farmers to Families Food Box program was cancelled due to errors and complications. All I can say is let us see how Senator Booker facilitates a proposed new Food Box program. Such a program is a good idea if it is executed properly with no grandstanding.
Beef With Beef
As you should know, the president wants to do more for the environment especially wanting the U.S. farm industry to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions before other nations. The problem is that his administration has yet to specifically identify how to cut the flow of methane from livestock and dairy production. Rumors have sprung up already with stories in the media about how the president wants Americans to consume less meat. Politico has reported that the meat industry is countering stating that U.S. producers are already ahead of their foreign counterparts when it comes to sustainable farming and ranching, and that more voluntary efforts are needed as opposed to legislative fixes.
One potential benefactor of all this effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may be the alternative protein folks who produce plant-based meat! I keep telling you to keep your eye on this plant-based meat ball!
Food Supply Chain
USDA has just closed the official comment period that sought comments on a department-wide effort to improve and reimagine the supply chains for the production, processing and distribution of agricultural commodities and food products. The next step is for USDA to prepare a report and recommendations for the food industry. Comments received and future actions taken by USDA will help the Department assess the critical factors, risks, and strategies needed to support resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains and ensure U.S. economic prosperity, and nutrition security for all Americans. So, stay tuned for further news and recommendations as the report moves on to the next stage of implementation.
New Food Allergen
Can you name the eight major food allergens? They are peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, soy, milk, eggs and wheat. They were officially named major allergens with the passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act in 2004. Well, President Biden has signed into law the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act that now designates sesame as the ninth major food allergen. What does this mean for the retail food industry? You have until January 1, 2023, to ensure that food products sold in your stores that sesame are clearly labeled on products sold in your stores.
More Weird Things
Last month I ended my column by citing a report from Wyoming ‘s General Assembly allowing roadkill to be legally used for meat consumption by humans. This month is perhaps even stranger. It appears as if the Customs Border Protection Service (CBPS) at Dulles Airport reported that they found two cow dung cakes in a suitcase left behind after passengers from an Air India flight cleared a CBPS inspection station. The cow dung cakes were later destroyed. Why cow dung? Cow dung is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source in some parts of the world. Yuk!
Barry Scher is associated with the public policy firm of Policy Solutions LLC and may be reached at Bscher@policy-solutions.net.
