8-24 NWR Cheese Giveaway

8-24 NWR Cheese Giveaway

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday plans to purchase approximately 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to assist food banks and pantries across the nation, while reducing a cheese surplus that is at its highest level in 30 years. The purchase, valued at $20 million, will be provided to families in need across the country through USDA nutrition assistance programs, while assisting the stalled marketplace for dairy producers whose revenues have dropped 35 percent over the past two years.

In fact, the nation's dairy farmers are in need of emergency assistance amid low milk prices. Members of Congress recently asked USDA to provide assistance as the U.S. all-milk price fell to $14.50 per hundredweight in May, the lowest level since 2009. AFBF market intelligence director John Newton says USDA has the authority to help.

And following up on a story from yesterday from myNorthwest.com,

a former New Hampshire sheriff candidate's guilty pleas to federal charges in an armed confrontation with U.S. land management agents near cattleman Cliven Bundy's ranch in Nevada have been delayed.

Defense attorney Brian Smith said Tuesday that a paperwork snag caused the postponement of Gerald "Jerry" DeLemus' plea date to Thursday.

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