Tag: USDA

Tyson Foods Recalls 8.5 Million Pounds Of Chicken Over Listeria Concerns

SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Tyson Foods Inc., one of the largest food manufacturers in the country, is recalling more than 8-million of pounds of chicken products after illnesses and one death linked to Listeria. On Sunday, the US Department of Agriculture issued a press release. It states the frozen, fully cooked chicken products were produced between

The People Who Pick America’s Fruits And Vegetables Are Getting Older

The average age of farmworkers born outside the U.S. steadily increased from 2008 to 2019, while the average age of U.S.-born workers has stayed about the same over the same period.  Foreign-born farmworkers are on average 5 years older than their U.S.-born counterparts.  An analysis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Research Service attributes the

For Farmland Conservation, It Comes Down To Who Owns It

TOLONO — Lin Warfel puts farmland owners in central Illinois into two categories: Those with a deep connection and desire to preserve their land, and those obsessed with short-term money.   The 80-year-old still owns the land that’s been in his family since his great-grandfather arrived in Champaign County in the 1800’s. After farming it

New Limits On Free Meals For Kids Concern Illinois School Officials

CHAMPAIGN – Some Illinois school officials are upset that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not extended waivers that would allow districts to continue serving free meals to all students under 18 years of age.  In a typical school year, students must meet specific criteria to qualify for the USDA-operated National School Lunch Program. Families

Ask The Newsroom: SNAP Benefits For July And Beyond

Each month throughout the pandemic, Illinois Newsroom has received questions from listeners about whether maximum SNAP benefits will be issued. To find out more about how the program works and what SNAP recipients in Illinois can expect going forward, Illinois Newsroom reporter Dana Cronin spoke with Leslie Cully, who oversees the SNAP program for the

Hundreds Discuss Growing Hemp In Illinois

  Hundreds of farmers, processors, and researchers gathered at the Illinois state fairgrounds on Tuesday to talk about hemp. It’s been over a year since former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner legalized growing hemp in the state. One year later… growers, processors, and government officials have learned a lot. The purpose of the summit in Springfield