Today, September 21, 2022, at the United Nations General Assembly, President Biden announced $2.9 billion in assistance to address global food insecurity and urged other countries to follow suit. President Biden stressed: “If parents cannot feed their children, nothing else matters.” This announcement comes as the Biden administration is taking serious steps to combat […]
Food Security a Priority at UN Read More »
The White House announced the long-awaited White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, to be held in Washington this September, with the specific date yet to be announced. As the White House announcement said: “The Biden-Harris Administration has set a goal of ending hunger and increasing healthy eating and physical activity in the U.S. by 2030
White House Announces Nutrition Conference Read More »
It was Senator George McGovern, D-S.D., who brought me from South Dakota in 1973 to serve as Counsel to the Select Committee on Nutrition but I wound up serving both Senator McGovern and Senator Bob Dole, R-Kan., on food, agriculture, and nutrition. (I suspect that could not happen today.) Bob Dole was Chair of the
Opinion: My Bob Dole Read More »
Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced legislation calling for a second White House Conference on Nutrition. They are correct; it is time. The first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health was conducted by President Richard Nixon in 1969. President Nixon called it a “moral imperative.” He continued: “This nation
Opinion: Needed: A Second White House Nutrition Conference by Marshall Matz Read More »
The challenge is daunting. Agriculture must produce enough food to meet the needs of a growing world population while at the same time cope with climate change. The UN Food Systems Summit (FSS) has concluded, so it is fair to ask if it was successful? If you were expecting a few simple recommendations to
Opinion: The UN Food Systems Summit by Marshall Matz Read More »
The African Green Revolution Summit concluded and served as an introduction for the UN Food Systems Summit to be held at the UN in New York on September 23. Dr. Agnes Kalibata hosted the African Forum and will also Chair the UN Summit. The goal of the UN Summit is to drive an agenda that will
African Agriculture Forum Read More »
This week the President of Kenya, H. E. Uhuru Kenyatta, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, with its partners, will again host the Alliance for a Green Revolution Forum (AGRF). It is of particular importance this year because it comes right before the UN Food Systems Summit, and they are both chaired
Opinion: Africa and the UN Food Systems Summit by Marshall Matz Read More »
For many years in the Senate, Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) teamed up with Senator George McGovern (D-SD) to create a legacy of bipartisan leadership on nutrition. Working together in the 1970s, they completely reformed the Food Stamp Program (now SNAP); established the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; with Senator Humphrey, created the Women’s Infants
Bob Dole and George McGovern: A Nutrition Legacy that Continues Read More »
This piece was originally published by Agri-Pulse Communications. As preparations for the United Nations Food System Summit (FSS) get underway in the US and around the world, the respected author Walter Isaacson has released a new book entitled The Code Breaker. Isaacson, well known as a talented historian and biographer, has written eloquently of Albert Einstein, Benjamin
Opinion: The Code Breaker, CRISPR, and the UN Summit Read More »
After Congress certified the 2020 election, the Trump administration asked all of its political appointees to submit resignation letters by Inauguration Day. That same day, Agriculture Secretary Perdue issued a memo designating the following individuals as acting officers in their respective positions: Jason Hafemeister, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
Acting Officers at the USDA Read More »
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides valuable assistance to millions of Americans who need help because they have lost their jobs, do not earn sufficient money to meet their needs, or have been emergency victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study by USDA’s Economic Research Service found that a hypothetical $1 billion increase in
The Future of SNAP (Food Stamps) Read More »
Reauthorization of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 has been stalled since 2015. Even though the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee reported their respective bills, the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016 (S. 3136) and the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016 (H.R.
Child Nutrition Reauthorization Moves Forward Read More »
During this Holiday Season, we all enjoy those extra calories and special desserts. It is part of giving thanks and enjoying family. There is no need to give that up, but let’s also keep an eye on the obesity equation. Food labeling regulations and guidelines, such as the USDA- HHS Dietary Guidelines for for Americans, are
Opinion: The Obesity Equation Calories in; Calories Out Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse When it comes to agriculture research, no organization is as important to our farmers as is USDA and the Agriculture Research Service (ARS). ARS works with our land grant universities to support US farmers and ranchers. Our unique system of research and extension is a major reason for our
The Vast Army Fighting Hunger Around the Globe Read More »
By Senator Bob Dole and Marshall Matz, as published in The Des Moines Register The World Food Prize Foundation, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is again focusing attention on food security by honoring Dr. Akin Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank. With a PhD in agriculture from Purdue, Dr. Adesina is the first “aggie”
By Marshall Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The 2018 Senate Agriculture Appropriations Report notes that global food production will have to increase by 60 percent to meet the needs of 9 billion people forecast for 2050. The report then calls upon USDA Secretary Perdue “to take a leadership role in working with other relevant departments and
The Missing Link in Global Food Security Read More »
By Senator Bob Dole and Marshall Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse Perhaps no sector of the American economy is more dependent on trade than agriculture. It is the life blood of the heartland supporting over 15 million jobs throughout the United States. Our economy is so large, however, that the importance of agriculture is frequently overlooked.
Trade is Key for Agriculture Read More »
As published in Agri-Pulse The landmark civil rights lawsuit by Indian farmers and ranchers against the Department of Agriculture for discriminatory lending practices has come to a conclusion (barring any unexpected turn of events on appeal). U. S. District Court Judge Emmett Sullivan approved an agreement reached by the Government, counsel for the plaintiffs’ class,
$380 Million Keepseagle II Settlement Reached Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The March edition of the National Geographic Magazine, in its cover story entitled “The War on Science,” notes that “there’s no evidence that GMO’s are harmful to human health.” A recent Pew poll found that 90% of all scientists believe GMO’s are safe but only 37% of the public
The Vilsapp: Secretary Vilsack’s High Tech Solution to Labeling Read More »
Trade policy may present an opportunity for the Obama Administration and the Congress to work together in a bipartisan manner but it is sure not unanimous. While Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative’s Chief Agriculture Negotiator Darci Vetter are making the case for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), Senator Ron Wyden, the Senior Democrat on
Trade is Critical to Rural America; Agriculture is Key to TPA Read More »
Contact: Marshall Matz (202) 789-1212; [email protected] or Marion Watkins (202) 654-4863; [email protected] “As co-author with Senator George McGovern of the original 1977 ‘Dietary Goals for the United States’ report, I commend the USDA, HHS and its Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for continuing to focus attention on human nutrition. The Committee’s recently-released report notes the staggering numbers of
Statement by Senator Bob Dole on Nutrition Report Read More »
By Marshall Matz and Dr. Nina Fedoroff, as published in Agri-Pulse The new study on genetically engineered (GE) crops now being conducted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, deserves your attention. It has the potential to impact the agriculture economy, food prices and global food security. The NAS is
The NAS is Examining GE Crops Read More »
Dr. Janey Thornton, the USDA Deputy Under-Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, has resigned her post effective at close of business Friday, January 9, 2015. She will be returning to Kentucky to turn her attention to important family needs. Also, Sam Kass has left the White House as Executive Director of Let’s Move! and
Two Obama Nutrition Leaders Move On Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. The year kicked off on December 5, 2014, with events in Rome, New York and Chile, all in an effort to raise awareness and promote more sustainable use of this critical resource. “Healthy soils
2015: The Year of Soils Read More »
By Nina Fedoroff, Ken Cassman and Marshall L. Matz, as published in the Des Moines Register The Ghost of Christmas Future is the most fearsome character in “The Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas story, giving Scrooge a glimpse of his bleak future. Horrified, Scrooge changes his selfish lifestyle in a heartbeat. An abundant Thanksgiving 2014 is
The Ghost of Thanksgiving Future Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The “Feed the Future” initiative is aimed at improving agriculture productivity and economic development around the world. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the both the House and Senate to make this discretionary program permanent. The legislation (H.R. 5656; S.2909) has the support of private sector corporations as well
Feed the Future: A Bipartisan Opportunity Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz and Peter B. Matz, as published by the National Farmers Union Kudos to National Farmers Union for recognizing the link between family farming and meeting the challenge of global food security. Family farms are indeed the key to ending world hunger. First, for purposes of this blog, let’s define a smallholder farmer as anyone
Family Farms in Africa Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz and Peter B. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse On September 29, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva issued a call for climate smart agriculture and a “paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture and family farming.” It is a theme we have seen in a number of recent reports by leading organizations, including:
Climate Smart, Sustainable Agriculture Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch According to Forbes Magazine, Mr. Strive Masiyiwa is the Bill Gates of Africa. The Econet Wireless Group headed by Masiyiwa and based in South Africa now operates in 17 countries, employs 6,000 and generates $3 billion a year. Yet Masiyiwa believes it is agriculture development that
“…agriculture development is critical, because it’s the best way to boost incomes for the majority of the Africans who are farmers, especially as they deal with the impacts of climate change…” President Obama, August 5, 2014 What is the White House U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit? The first ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit took place on Monday, August
White House U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit: Agriculture Prospective Read More »
By Marshall Matz, as published in the Des Moines Register Next month President Barack Obama is hosting an Africa summit with heads of state and corporate chief executive officers. The timing is excellent. Africa’s unique green revolution, with its focus on smallholder farmers, is now moving beyond the tipping point. And as smallholder farmers make
Farming’s transformation starts to change Africa Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz and Nathaniel B. Fretz, as published by Agri-Pulse There is a new question surrounding the Dietary Guidelines for Americans now being drafted for release in 2015. The question is whether the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee should continue to focus their review and recommendations on scientific advances in nutrition and diet or should they venture
The Next Dietary Guidelines Debate Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse Organic foods are “in.” Analysts estimate that U.S. organic food sales have reached $35 billion, or over 4% of all the foods consumed at home. While that means 96% of the foods we consume are not “USDA Organic,” 4% is statistically significant. Produce and dairy are the top two
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse Agriculture is a business, a very big business. Whether you look at net farm income, agriculture exports or the number of people employed in the farm and food value chain, agriculture is big business by any criteria. As the Old Testament tells us, however, agriculture is more than just
Global Food Security Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz with Molly O’Connor, as published in Agri-Pulse When the subject of agriculture comes up, the focus usually starts with corn. It is the price of corn or the genetic modification of corn, ethanol (food vs. fuel), trade or the regulatory process here in the United States and its synchronization with other countries. Just last
Wheat: The Staff of Life Read More »
