Content about Department of Agriculture

January 30, 2013
Nonprofit supermarket aims to address food deserts in Philadelphia area

A hunger relief group serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas has hired a New York-based brand and retail design consultancy to design a prototype nonprofit grocery store to address food deserts.

NEW YORK — A hunger relief group serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas has hired a New York-based brand and retail design consultancy to design a prototype nonprofit grocery store to address food deserts.

The agency, CBX, said the Philabundance had hired it to design the store, Fare & Square, which will open this summer in Chester, Pa.

June 15, 2012
CRN cites HHS and FDA recommendations in defending virtue of vitamin D, calcium

The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Thursday issued a response to a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force draft recommendation around the ineffectiveness of vitamin D and calcium to prevent cancer or fractures.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Thursday issued a response to a Preventive Services Task Force draft recommendation around the ineffectiveness of vitamin D and calcium to prevent cancer or fractures. The draft guidance also suggested vitamin D and calcium could equate to a greater risk of kidney stones in older women.

March 26, 2012
Ahold stores to stop carrying 'pink slime'

Ahold's 756 stores in the Northeast will no longer carry a beef filler product that has attracted significant controversy among consumers lately.

QUINCY, Mass. — Ahold's 756 stores in the Northeast will no longer carry a beef filler product that has attracted significant controversy among consumers lately.

Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle simultaneously announced that they would no longer purchase ground beef containing finely textured beef, which often is derided as "pink slime" due to its pink color and viscous texture.

February 7, 2012
Walmart calls out healthy foods with 'Great For You' icon

In an effort to assure customers that private-label products are meeting the proper nutrition criteria, Walmart announced it is implementing a transparent initiative called "Great For You," an icon that calls out healthy foods sold in Walmart stores.

WASHINGTON — In an effort to assure customers that private-label products are meeting the proper nutrition criteria, Walmart announced it is implementing a transparent initiative called "Great For You," an icon that calls out healthy foods sold in Walmart stores, Walmart announced on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

August 29, 2011
Should pharmacy retailers get into food game? Signs point to 'yes'

Economic troubles and an interest in saving money are just two of the growing number of reasons why it behooves nontraditional retailers to start thinking about offering fresh food in their stores, especially pharmacy retailers.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Economic troubles and an interest in saving money are just two of the growing number of reasons why it behooves nontraditional retailers to start thinking about offering fresh food in their stores, especially pharmacy retailers.

(THE NEWS: Food trips to nontraditional stores — mass, dollar, drug — on rise. For the full story, click here)

February 1, 2011
Prevention focus shapes dieting

According to the Calorie Control Council, an international association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry, a focus on weight-gain prevention will help shape dieting attitudes in 2011.

According to the Calorie Control Council, an international association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry, a focus on weight-gain prevention will help shape dieting attitudes in 2011. And newly released dietary guidelines from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services urge people to eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, foods with omega-3 fatty acids and low-calorie dairy products.


January 31, 2011
USDA, HHS reveal revamped dietary guidelines

Addressing the obesity epidemic in the United States, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

WASHINGTON — Addressing the obesity epidemic in the United States, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

DGA can help Americans maximize the nutritional content of their meals by providing advice for making food choices that promote good health, a healthy weight and prevent disease for healthy Americans ages 2 years and older, the USDA and HHS said. Key recommendations include:

  • Balancing calories to maintain a healthy weight;

September 1, 2010
Extract found in cinnamon may curb diabetes, heart disease

A water-soluble extract of cinnamon, which contains antioxidative compounds, could help reduce risk factors associated...