Food and Agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), the co-chairs of Bipartisan Congressional Food Recovery Caucus, welcomed President Trump’s announcement that his administration will focus on food waste reduction throughout April. The president’s official message states that food waste “undermines environmental stewardship and the… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a long-time organic farmer and advocate for sustainable agriculture, has led a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Gottlieb urging him to provide guidance on lawful pathways for food products containing hemp-derived CBD in interstate commerce. Read more »

Today, Congresswomen Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Connectitut) wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General and requested an investigation into reports that Coca-Cola inappropriately influenced public health policy through relationships with high-level Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials, including by pushing… Read more »

Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME)—a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture—announced that she will regain her seat on the House Committee on Agriculture.  In Congress, Pingree has distinguished herself as a successful advocate for reforming food policies to help consumers access healthier food and to support… Read more »

During House floor debate on agriculture appropriations legislation today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree highlighted the need to reinstate funding for the USDA and FDA amid many negative impacts the shutdown is having on agriculture and families in Maine.  This week, the House is voting on a series of bipartisan appropriations bill—which had previously received overwhelming… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced HR 7330, the “Agriculture Research Integrity Act” today to block the reorganization and relocation of federal agriculture research agencies. The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), James P. McGovern(D-MA), Eleanor… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) released the following statement on USDA’s final standard for labeling genetically modified (GMO) food. The agency plans to use the lesser-known term “Bioengineered” while using a label that avoids any reference to artificial genetic alteration.   “The USDA’s plan for labeling genetically modified food is an… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is announcing her support for the 2018 Farm Bill released today and negotiated by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. The legislation contains numerous provisions that Pingree introduced and fought for to support farmers serving organic and local markets, and to reduce food waste.     She released the following statement on the… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announced today that Buxton-based VitaminSea would receive a $600,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) USDA grant to further develop SeaKelp+, a kelp-based additive for bread.  “Some of the most exciting things about Maine aquaculture right now are consumers’ growing awareness of seaweed’s nutritional benefits and the… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that over $2 million in USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants will be awarded to the University of Maine and a Waterville small business to advance Maine’s agricultural economy. FoodCorps, a program that offers food and agriculture education programs in several Maine communities, also received… Read more »