USDA Organic Certification to Undergo Changes to Root Out Fraud, Simplify Processes for Growers

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is advancing a common Organic System Plan (OSP) as part of its broader effort to tighten organic oversight while easing paperwork burdens that have weighed on smaller fruit and vegetable growers, according to multiple sources.

The movement follows USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, which took effect March 19, 2024, and expanded certification and traceability requirements across the organic supply chain to curb fraud. The common OSP is meant to create a more uniform baseline for certification...

SAWA Bill Would Reshape US Farmer's Labor Costs

As of June 15, a newly proposed bill called "Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act" (SAWA) would update the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program via changes related to worker eligibility, wage calculations, and administrative procedures, reported Fresh Plaza about a topic that would impact US vegetable growers, and other ag market participants as pressure builds to modernize the temporary visa program for farm labor.

Day 40 of Iran War: US, Iran Agree to Two-Week Truce as Hormuz Reopening Tied to Talks

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week truce late Tuesday, with Tehran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under temporary arrangements. The White House said Israel was also party to the truce. 

Under the ceasefire terms, Iran and Oman would coordinate shipping access and could levy transit fees on vessels passing through Hormuz, a critical artery for roughly one-fifth of global oil flows.

The reopening of the strait would free approximately 130 million barrels of crude oil...

Serving Holidays with a Side of Chaos: Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Meal Is Coming to McDonald's

CODE PICKLE: Dr. Seuss's The Grinch has successfully slipped into the Golden Arches and on Dec. 2, he's unleashing The Grinch Meal. The meal, made in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and McDonald's, will be available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last. His diabolical culinary debut features Dill Pickle "Grinch Salt" McShaker Fries, arriving for the first time in the U.S.

Sprinkle the tangy, dill pickle seasoning into the McShaker bag and shake for a bold...