pandemic

Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows food away from home spending varied during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In April 2020, spending at full-service restaurants declined 71% compared with April 2019.  Spending at fast-food restaurants fell 32%, and spending at all other food-away-from-home establishments dropped 41% over the same period.   Full-service res...

Because of the pandemic, many businesses and industry were forced to adopt new restrictions and guidelines very quickly, including the aquaculture industry.  But, thanks to AMS, some of those costs can now be addressed. Through the Agricultural Marketing Service Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program, another round of grants are available to seafood processors and proc

Most Oregonians who receive food assistance through the SNAP program will again see a larger allotment this month; but it’s the last time emergency food benefits will go out.  Around 416,000 Oregon households will share an additional 71-thousand dollars in payments in February.  March will be...

In today's Wine Minute, Katie Salisbury with the Washington Wine Commission talks about international efforts in a post-pandemic world.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

A newly published report from Oregon State University shows producers are slowly recovering from the pandemic.  OSU Professor of Applied Economics Jeff Reimer said the last, nearly three years, were tough for Oregon food and beverage exporters who rely on the ability to build relationships overseas.   “...

Oregon senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkely as well as Washington’s Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell joined 10 others this week sending a letter to the USDA about the western Drought and conservation priorities.  The lawmakers are asking the agency to give parity to the urgent priorities of Western growers and communities through existing authorities, new funding, and collaboration across government.  

In fiscal year 2021, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, served an average of 41.5 million people monthly.  ERS reported this week the 2021 figure is an increase of about 5.8 million per month compared with fiscal year 2019.  SNAP pa...

President Joe Biden has declared this week as National School Lunch Week.  The annual declaration highlights how school meals remain a vital lifeline, supplying well-balanced, free or low-cost meals to kids across the country since the program began in 1946.  USDA’s ...

The Department of Agriculture this week announced 15 organizations to receive funding through the Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program.   Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "The grant recipients today will help us provide relief payments to workers across the country who kept food moving to our families during an especially challenging time." ...

On Monday, USDA’s Economic Research Service reported data that shows the H-2A seasonal worker program has expanded over time.   U.S. agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of U.S. domestic workers can fill seasonal farm jobs with temporary foreign workers through the H-2A visa program.  The Depa...