DWR releases suspected cause in death of multiple vultures in Rocky Mount
Read full article: DWR releases suspected cause in death of multiple vultures in Rocky MountNumerous state and local agencies were on the location of a wooded lot on the corner of Dent Street and Franklin Street due to a discovery of numerous dead vultures in a creek bed in Rocky Mount on Tuesday.
Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP management funds from states that don't share data
Read full article: Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP management funds from states that don't share dataThe Trump administration says it will withhold funds for administering SNAP food aid in most Democratic-controlled states starting next week unless they provide data about those receiving the assistance.
Montvale School preservation gets $1 million USDA boost, renovation planned
Read full article: Montvale School preservation gets $1 million USDA boost, renovation plannedBedford County has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to breathe new life into the historic Montvale School building. This is part of Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine securing about a $48 million grant for community projects across Virginia.
FACT FOCUS: Trump says Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year. His numbers are misleading
Read full article: FACT FOCUS: Trump says Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year. His numbers are misleadingWith Thanksgiving less than three weeks away, the question of how much this yearโs turkey and trimmings will cost looms large, especially with grocery prices 2.7% higher than they were in 2024. President Donald Trump has claimed over the past two days that costs for the Thanksgiving meal are down 25% this year, citing a prepackaged Thanksgiving meal basket from Walmart. But this is misleading. While Walmartโs 2025 meal basket costs about 25% less than the one from 2024, thatโs because it offers fewer items and different products to make it more affordable.
Grayson Countyโs River Ridge Farm owner faces millions in losses a year after Hurricane Heleneโs devastation.
Read full article: Grayson Countyโs River Ridge Farm owner faces millions in losses a year after Hurricane Heleneโs devastation.One year after Hurricane Helene ravaged River Ridge Farm in Grayson County, owner Charlotte Hanes continues to grapple with millions in damages.
Virginia opens $60.9 million farm recovery grants for farmers, timber landowners impacted by Hurricane Helene
Read full article: Virginia opens $60.9 million farm recovery grants for farmers, timber landowners impacted by Hurricane HeleneVirginia has become the first state in the nation to launch the Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, a disaster recovery initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Listeria found in Walmart, Trader Joe's meals may be linked to deadly outbreak
Read full article: Listeria found in Walmart, Trader Joe's meals may be linked to deadly outbreakFederal health officials are warning consumers not to eat certain pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's stores nationwide.
Virginia debuts $60.9M USDA grant for farmers hit by Helene.
Read full article: Virginia debuts $60.9M USDA grant for farmers hit by Helene.Virginia has become the first state in the nation to roll out the U.S. Department of Agricultureโs Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, providing direct financial assistance to farmers and timber landowners affected by Hurricane Helene.
Federal officials to take over inspections when troubled Boar's Head plant reopens
Read full article: Federal officials to take over inspections when troubled Boar's Head plant reopensFederal inspectors will assume direct oversight of a Boar's Head deli meat plant when it reopens after an deadly listeria outbreak.
Kraft Heinz recalls turkey bacon over possible listeria contamination
Read full article: Kraft Heinz recalls turkey bacon over possible listeria contaminationKraft Heinz Foods Company is recalling about 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agricultureโs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled over possible listeria contamination
Read full article: Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled over possible listeria contaminationThe maker of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon is recalling nearly 368,000 pounds of the product because it may be contaminated with listeria bacteria.
University Club members unite to support YMCAโs fight against child hunger
Read full article: University Club members unite to support YMCAโs fight against child hungerThe YMCA at Virginia Tech announced a $1,520 donation from the University Club of VPI & SU to support its Meals On Main (MOM) program.
Keep your barbecue safe with USDA food safety guidelines
Read full article: Keep your barbecue safe with USDA food safety guidelinesAs summer grilling season heats up, the U.S. Department of Agricultureโs Food Safety and Inspection Service is reminding Americans to take precautions to prevent foodborne illness during Fourth of July celebrations.
Lynchburg City Schools join USDA Summer Food Service Program for free meals
Read full article: Lynchburg City Schools join USDA Summer Food Service Program for free mealsLynchburg City Schools is set to participate in the USDA Summer Food Service Program for 2025, providing free meals to children throughout the community.
Senator Mark Warner seeks answers for USDA cuts, bipartisan letter sent to officials
Read full article: Senator Mark Warner seeks answers for USDA cuts, bipartisan letter sent to officialsSen. Mark Warner, D-Va, says heโs still waiting for answers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about funding cuts that are impacting food pantries across the Commonwealth.
Henry County Public Schools to offer free meals for local children over summer break
Read full article: Henry County Public Schools to offer free meals for local children over summer breakHenry County School Nutrition will be sponsoring the USDA Summer Food Service Program to help supply local students and children with free meals and snacks.
59-year-old Lynchburg grocery store owner indicted on federal food stamp fraud charges
Read full article: 59-year-old Lynchburg grocery store owner indicted on federal food stamp fraud chargesThe owner of Taste of India, a grocery store in Lynchburg, was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged fraud regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to the U.S. DOJ.
USDA launches an internal investigation into the deadly Boar's Head outbreak
Read full article: USDA launches an internal investigation into the deadly Boar's Head outbreakU.S. Agriculture Department officials have launched an internal investigation into how the agency handled reports of serious problems tied to a deadly listeria outbreak at a Boar's Head deli meat plant in Virginia.
USDA and local rural organizations meet for rural development meeting
Read full article: USDA and local rural organizations meet for rural development meetingIn rural areas, having access to everything can be difficult for folks, but thatโs why the USDA held a meeting to give an update on what they are doing to help folks out in our region.
Fake letter sent to Hunting Hills residents claiming theyโre eligible for SNAP benefits
Read full article: Fake letter sent to Hunting Hills residents claiming theyโre eligible for SNAP benefitsA fake letter is circulating around Roanoke County claiming some residents are eligible for SNAP benefits, when theyโre not.
Mountain Valley Pipeline project moves forward
Read full article: Mountain Valley Pipeline project moves forwardThe project has been held up in court, but now, the USDA Forest Service has issued a Record of Decision signed by USDA Undersecretary Wilkes to allow for the plan to move forward in a 3.5-mile corridor of the Jefferson National Forest.
Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second year
Read full article: Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second yearThe ongoing bird flu outbreak has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers' pain at the grocery store as officials slaughtered more than 58 million birds to help limit the spread of the virus.
Commercial turkeys in Virginia test positive for avian influenza
Read full article: Commercial turkeys in Virginia test positive for avian influenzaA flock of commercial turkeys in Rockingham County, Virginia has tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Resources.
AG Miyares joins 22 attorney generals in lawsuit against US agencyโs new LGBTQ school guidance
Read full article: AG Miyares joins 22 attorney generals in lawsuit against US agencyโs new LGBTQ school guidanceMore than 20 Republican attorneys general filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Joe Biden's administration over a Department of Agriculture school meal program that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Bedford County offers free meals for students, USDA extends nationwide program
Read full article: Bedford County offers free meals for students, USDA extends nationwide programThe school system can continue providing meals thanks to USDA extending several nationwide waivers, including the Summer Food Service Program, which went into effect Monday.
US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert
Read full article: US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alertFarms that raise turkeys and chickens for meat and eggs are on high alert, fearing a repeat of a widespread bird flu outbreak in 2015 that killed 50 million birds across 15 states and cost the federal government nearly $1 billion.
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Plan donโt panic: Roanoke Valley SPCA shares what to do with pets
Read full article: Plan donโt panic: Roanoke Valley SPCA shares what to do with petsThe USDA and Humane Society of the United States are urging pet owners to make a plan from what we know so far. So not coming into contact with people outside of your home, outside of your family that youโre living with,โ said Suzanne Cresswell, director of philanthropy and community engagement at Roanoke Valley SPCA. Roanoke Valley SPCA has made a lot of changes in the last several weeks to take care of pets while protecting staff, volunteers and potential new pet owners. The general public can no longer just walk into Roanoke Valley SPCA. New pet owners are required to sign a contract to bring their pet back when thing return to normal.

Trump admin proposes new logging in nation's largest national forest
Read full article: Trump admin proposes new logging in nation's largest national forestGuajajara tribe members on the reserve say their forests are being plundered(CNN) - The Trump administration is proposing opening more than 180,000 acres of the country's largest national forest, known as America's Amazon, for logging. The Agriculture Department proposal unveiled Tuesday would allow road construction and reclassify forest area -- including "165,000 old-growth acres" -- of the huge Tongass National Forest in the panhandle of southeastern Alaska. The forest -- about the size of West Virginia -- and region form the world's largest intact temperate rainforest. Both supporters and opponents of the proposal say it has important economic implications. "This is another Trump administration attempt to roll back protections for wildlife and hand over public lands to private interests," Defenders of Wildlife said in a joint statement.

Taco Bell recalls seasoned ground beef due to metal shavings
Read full article: Taco Bell recalls seasoned ground beef due to metal shavingsIn a news release, the USDA reports some Taco Bell ground beef may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal shavings. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the recall centered on a Columbus, Ohio company that prepares beef for Taco Bell restaurants. In a news release, the USDA reports the products may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal shavings. In a statement, Taco Bell says the product was produced at one plant location on only one of the two lines used to make seasoned beef. Taco Bell reports all the affected beef was removed by Monday night.

USDA announces raw beef product recall
Read full article: USDA announces raw beef product recallFreeImages.com/Koos SchwanebergWASHINGTON, D.C. - American Beef Packers of Chino, California is recalling more than 24,000 pounds of raw beef products that have been deemed unfit for human consumption. Bulk pack combo bins containing "AMERICAN BEEF PACKERS 90 BONELESS BEEF" with LOT NO. Bulk pack combo bins containing "AMERICAN BEEF PACKERS 85 BONELESS BEEF" with LOT NO. Bulk pack combo bin containing "AMERICAN BEEF PACKERS 90 BONELESS BEEF SIRLOINS" with LOT NO. cases containing "AMERICAN BEEF PACKERS DESC: BEEF FOR FURTHER PROCESSING 75/25" with lot code 08347412719.

Giles one of two counties to earn USDA 'Turnip the Beat' award for summer meals
Read full article: Giles one of two counties to earn USDA 'Turnip the Beat' award for summer mealsGILES COUNTY, Va. - Giles was one of two Virginia counties to earn the USDA 'Turnip the Beet' award. The county was awarded a silver award for improving access to summer meals that featured local, culturally appropriate foods, according to the Department of Education. The division had sites at two schools in the county where it would serve food and even provide transportation for participating students. Giles County also works with the Virginia Cooperative Extension to operate the Giles County Agriculture Land Lab, where students can have hands-on learning experiences. Vegetables and beef from cattle raised on the student-run land are used in school and summer meals.

'Sad day': Northwest Roanoke grocery store closes, limiting food options for hundreds
Read full article: 'Sad day': Northwest Roanoke grocery store closes, limiting food options for hundredsROANOKE, Va. - Save A Lot, a discount grocery store on Melrose Avenue in northwest Roanoke, abruptly closed for good Monday, further limiting food options for hundreds of people in the area. Now, I dont know what Im going to do.Traveling to grocery stores located farther away can be tough for many. Roanoke leaders have struggled to find potential grocery store owners to set up shop in some areas of the city. Neighbors said lots of elderly people and people using wheelchairs shopped at Save A Lot over the 11 years it was in business. Now, their choice is between dollar stores that may not have as many fresh options or paying to travel a little farther, if theyre able to do so.


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