Food and Agriculture

State leads New England in farmland, sales up nearly 25% over five years Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that farming in Maine is on the increase, with Maine leading New England in the number of farms in operation. "The farm economy in Maine is alive and well and growing," Pingree said. "It's grown by almost 25% over five… Read more »

Legislation would roll back nutrition standards that have made for healthier school lunches Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said she will oppose efforts in a House bill to roll back nutrition standards for school lunches that are paid for with federal funds. The provision is part of the Agriculture Appropriations Bill that is being debated on the House floor today. “If the… Read more »

Seaside specialty crushes cheese steak, ham biscuits and boardwalk fries in Congressional Quarterly Roll Call’s Taste of America competition Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that the Maine lobster roll has made the final round of Congressional Quarterly Roll Call’s Taste of America contest, and the polls are currently open for Americans to vote for the… Read more »

Republicans push through legislation that would allow schools to skip new nutrition standards Congresswoman Chellie Pingree opposed a Republican effort today to roll back new nutrition standards for school lunches. Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which today passed a bill that included a provision that would let school districts opt out of the new… Read more »

New program will offer coverage for farmers growing fruits and vegetables and organic growers A major new "whole-farm" insurance program based on a proposal in a bill written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was announced yesterday by the Obama Administration. The new program allows diversified farmers who raise a variety of crops access to crop insurance. Since traditional crop… Read more »

Pingree helped triple funding for Farmers Market Promotion Program Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that the USDA would be awarding $30 million in grants through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program—triple the amount given out in prior years. The increase is due to Pingree's reforms in the 2014 reauthorization of the Farm Bill. “This is a… Read more »

Feds agree using byproduct of beer brewing for animal feed presents minimal risk, agree to change proposed rules Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that federal regulators are acknowledging that the centuries-old practice of using the byproduct of beer brewing and distilling as animal feed is safe and should be allowed to continue. Previously the Food and Drug Administration… Read more »

USDA says not doing so brings threats of lawsuits and loss of funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voiced her agreement with concerns raised in a letter the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) sent to the state regarding plans to require ID photos on EBT cards. “The USDA’s letter is another message that adding this burden on families and retailers is not the… Read more »

Upgrades can help school buy more local, fresh food Chellie sampling the healthy school lunch at Reiche Elementary in Portland. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Maine will be getting $111,000 in federal funding to help schools buy the kind of kitchen equipment they need to produce healthy meals using fresh ingredients. Schools around the… Read more »

Funding up 50% over previous year, thanks to provision Pingree pushed for in the Farm Bill Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Maine will get $600,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grants, a 50% increase over the previous year's funding. Pingree, who serves on the Appropriations Committee that sets funding levels for the US Department of Agriculture, successfully pushed for a… Read more »