Using Trade As A Rural Jobs Engine

 

USDA is working to expand trade by increasing exports as a strategy for creating job opportunities in rural communities. Susan Carter has more …

 

Agriculture Deputy Secretary joined local business leaders at the NC Biotechnology Center to talk about efforts to expand trade:

 

“We are talking about Congress’ trade promotion authority for the President and the significance of being able to give the President that authority so he can negotiate on a few key trade agreements that are pending right now. There is also talk of growing markets for creating opportunities and jobs in rural communities.”

 

 

Potatoes that won’t bruise and apples that won’t brown are a step closer to grocery store aisles. The Food and Drug Administration has given its blessing to the genetically engineered produce and says they are “as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts.” However, McDonald’s – said it won’t use the potatoes. Other firms aren’t commenting. The apples and potatoes are still a few seasons away from being available.

 

 

Consumer reports says 85% of us are concerned about pesticides and our food.   CBS’s Steve Kathan has more…

 

“A Consumer Reports look at 48 fruits and vegetables found that 17 contained high or very high levels of pesticides. The magazine says that those in that category need to be washed carefully.”

 

 

Ten states will test new ways to get food stamp recipients back to work, using Agriculture Department grants. California will test child care programs for people who need work training as part of a family-centered approach. The grants come as Congress explores ways to cut the program, which cost $74 billion last year – twice what it cost in 2008.

 

 

Think that banning fast food will cut down on obesity rates?  Think again. Correspondent Jim Chenevey explains.

 

“In 2008 Los Angeles restricted the opening of new fast food restaurants in one of the poorest sections of the city, an area of high obesity rates. A new report is in and it suggests that it had no meaningful effect. According to experts there is no evidence that diets have improved there and obesity rates have not fallen. You also need to increase access to healthy food.”

 

 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the University of Kentucky will become home to his department’s first center assigned to tackle childhood hunger and nutrition problems in rural America.

 

Vilsack told a group on the university’s campus Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $2.5 million in the new Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center. It will include UK researchers as part of the team looking for new ways to combat child hunger.