Food and Agriculture

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 »

Says bill would block states like Maine from requiring labeling of GMO products Congresswoman Chellie Pingree had harsh words for a bill introduced today that she says would effectively block states that want to pass laws requiring that genetically modified (GMO) products are labeled. "This bill is nothing but an attempt by chemical companies like Monsanto and giant food industry… Read more »

Two Democrats and two Republicans offer bill to protect centuries-old practice Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and three of her House colleagues have introduced a bill that would prevent federal regulators from imposing harsh new rules on a centuries old practice of brewers giving the spent grain from the brewing process to local farmers. In October 2013, the Food and Drug… Read more »

Says regulations "absurd"; FDA chief promises "reasonable solution" Congresswoman Chellie Pingree questioned the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today about a proposed rule that would end a longtime arrangement between beer brewers and farmers that allows spent grain used in the brewing process to be utilized as cattle and pig feed. Pingree challenged Dr. Margaret… Read more »

Bipartisan Coalition of 20 Lawmakers Introduces Legislation to Improve Consumer Choice and Protect Local Farmers. Congressman Massie (R–KY), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D–ME) and a bipartisan coalition of 18 other lawmakers have introduced legislation to improve consumer food choices and to protect local farmers from federal interference. The two bills – the… Read more »