Republicans have introduced a long-watched bill that would reform food ingredient reporting and review, after pushback from the MAHA movement.

SNAP, a vital service for 42 million Americans, is caught up in the middle of what is now the longest-running government shutdown in U.S. history. We put together a list of resources aimed at helping SNAP beneficiaries navigate lapses in funding.

Major brands—including Perdue, Butterball, Foster Farms, Koch Foods, Costco (Lincoln Premium Poultry), and Mary’s (Pitman Farms)—have been in violation of the standards for multiple years running, according to a new report. civileats.com/2025/11/03/p...


It’s not clear when the Trump administration will release SNAP payments. These alternatives offer food support in the meantime.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will register a new weedkiller, epyrifenacil, for use in corn, soybean, wheat, and canola fields.

Farms selling into local markets have been less affected by tariffs, but may bring in less revenue as cuts to SNAP benefits—and the government pause in SNAP funding—impact their customers.

We've entered the longest government shutdown in US history, and as a result, vital services like SNAP — which feeds 42 million people — have been impacted. For @civileats.com, I wrote a brief guide to help folks navigate this lapse in funding & find their next meal. civileats.com/2025/11/05/a...

Nonprofits and mutual aid groups across the country are working to help feed families no longer receiving SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown. Read the full list of resources aimed at helping SNAP recipients navigate lapses in federal funding. ⬇️

Farmers face shaky markets, not knowing when or to what extent other countries might retaliate with their own tariffs on U.S. goods. Meanwhile, the trade war has raised the overall cost of farming. buff.ly/mvbPhNT

New on @civileats.com yesterday morning: civileats.com/2025/11/03/u...

What's happening with SNAP is incredibly uncertain and I'm hearing from comrades all over who are struggling, confused, and getting mixed messages about their bennies. I wrote about how SNAP affects families with medically complex children who use SNAP/WIC at @civileats.com!

State agencies and aid recipients brace for delays in food assistance along with policy changes that are expected to kick millions off the program.

Our Food Policy Tracker unpacks key federal decisions shaping what ends up on your plate. Independent. Insightful. Powered by readers like you. Support the Tracker today — your gift makes an even bigger impact during #NewsMatch. ➡️ buff.ly/1fWMEYi

Also new this week, my @civileats.com reporting on salmonella in major poultry plants: civileats.com/2025/11/03/p...

The USDA's “SNAP Equal Treatment Rule” warnings came as grocery stores, farmers’ markets, farm businesses, and other food sellers across the country rushed to come up with ways to help food-insecure SNAP recipients.

The market challenges U.S. soybean growers faced this year are one of many examples of what’s at stake for farmers and the food system as the Supreme Court hears arguments this week about whether Trump’s sweeping tariffs are legal and can remain in place. @lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports. ⬇️

The USDA sets standards for salmonella testing at processing plants, but when plants violate the standards, the agency can’t prevent companies from selling the chicken or turkey.

New work requirements for SNAP went into effect this weekend and are expected to make millions ineligible for benefits during an already uncertain time.

"It’s time for us to decide whether we want food, health, and stability for millions of Americans—or fear, hunger, and hardship,” writes journalist and The Flytrap Media cofounder s.e. smith in an op-ed.

At the end of last week, as retailers braced for the first pause in food aid benefits in history, the USDA warned them not to offer food discounts to SNAP recipients.

Perdue, Butterball, and Costco are among the companies operating facilities that break food safety rules. Industry reps say contaminated chicken is not a public health threat, since properly cooking poultry kills the bacteria. @lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️

The EPA has been working to identify methods on farms that reduce the likelihood of chemical runoff, but environmental experts worry the measures won’t be enough to keep atrazine out of waterways.

Community Kitchen wants to make high-quality restaurant food accessible for everyone by offering a sliding scale of prices that people choose from —no questions asked.

In her new book, "Reaping What She Sows," author Nancy Matsumoto documents the women designing systems that benefit communities and the environment.

Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project has been converting neglected lots into resilient neighborhood green spaces for 30 years. Today, it owns and operates 51 community gardens throughout all five New York boroughs.

No ads. No paywalls. No corporate agenda. Just fearless reporting about food, climate, and power. This #NewsMatch, stand with Civil Eats and keep independent food journalism strong. ➡️ buff.ly/cYepM8T

The EPA will now require farmers to adopt practices called “mitigation measures” to help protect endangered animals. But experts say those measures won’t be enough to keep atrazine out of waterways.

BREAKING: A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must use emergency funds to continue food assistance during the government shutdown. buff.ly/Ll1O49J

A House Democrat has introduced a bill with bipartisan support that would require food companies to label products containing synthetic dyes and sweeteners.

"Families with medically complex children . . . live on razor-thin margins, and losing their SNAP benefits, even briefly, could be devastating." Read the op-ed by The Flytrap Media cofounder s.e. smith. ⬇️

Make America Healthy Again advocates met with federal officials who oversee pesticide regulations to discuss their concerns about the health risks of farm—and other—chemicals.

My latest for Civil Eats brought me and my camera to New York, where I was able to spend the day with the team at Community Kitchen and learn how their nonprofit restaurant is challenging the norms of our food system. Watch the full video below ⬇️

Community Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant, aims to make high-quality food available to all, regardless of income. Making a profit is not its goal.

This restaurant believes high-quality food should be accessible to everyone. The Community Kitchen offers three different price points: $15, $45, and $125, all for the same 9-course meal.

States Sue Trump Administration to Release SNAP Reserve Funds Read more from the Food Policy Tracker. ➡️ buff.ly/hYAkJ1r

Community Kitchen wants to make high-quality restaurant food accessible for everyone by offering a sliding scale of prices that people choose from—no questions asked. buff.ly/AM3HYp2

Experts say the continued use of atrazine, known as the second most widely used herbicide in the U.S. after glyphosate, will likely harm hundreds of endangered species, rendering some extinct.

Democratic leaders from 25 states have sued the Trump administration over its refusal to use contingency funds to support food assistance next month amid the government shutdown.

“What kind of America are we to become?,” asks journalist and The Flytrap Media cofounder s.e. smith in an op-ed. “It’s time for us to decide whether we want food, health, and stability for millions of Americans—or fear, hunger, and hardship."

ICYMI: I had some thoughts for @civileats.com on the pending SNAP crisis.

According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, atrazine use poses little to no risk to endangered species if farmers follow EPA rules. But multiple assessments by the EPA detail the common herbicide’s environmental risks. @lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️

Op-ed: One in eight Americans rely on food assistance. For families with complex medical challenges, these programs are non-negotiable lifelines.

Author Nancy Matsumoto documents the women designing systems that benefit communities and the environment in her new book, “Reaping What She Sows.”

U.S. farmers have no access to local ag-related offices, critical loans, or disaster assistance, adding even more stressors to the ongoing challenges they’re facing in agriculture.

“Ensuring that everyone in the United States has access to a diversity of fresh, safe food must be part of the larger healthcare framework,” writes journalist and @theflytrapmedia.com cofounder @sesmith.lol in an op-ed. “Apparently, our lawmakers have lost sight of this.”

To begin to track the influence that industry may exert on the food system over the next four years, we took a look at the backgrounds of the most prominent individuals currently working on food and agriculture within federal agencies. Here’s what we found. ⬇️

USDA Says It Won’t Use Emergency Funds to Provide SNAP Benefits During Shutdown Read more from the Food Policy Tracker ➡️ buff.ly/LJqNwA9

As the government shutdown continues, farmers say they are feeling increasing pressure as services, loans, and federal programs remain on pause.

The USDA says it lacks the legal authority to use contingency funds for food assistance benefits, increasing the likelihood that millions of people will go without aid next month.

States are warning recipients of SNAP that benefits will stop next month if the government remains shut down, potentially impacting millions of individuals that rely on the program. ➡️ buff.ly/gTsKK6J