Food security

ProducePay Raises $38 Million to Improve Predictability and Transparency Across the Global Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

On a mission to transform the global agricultural industry by eliminating economic and food waste, ProducePay’s Predictable Commerce Platform gives growers and buyers an unprecedented level of transparency and predictability in the increasingly volatile fresh produce supply chain .

Key Points: 
  • On a mission to transform the global agricultural industry by eliminating economic and food waste, ProducePay’s Predictable Commerce Platform gives growers and buyers an unprecedented level of transparency and predictability in the increasingly volatile fresh produce supply chain .
  • To date, the company has supported more than $4.5 billion in fresh produce transactions globally.
  • "Extreme weather events, supply shortages, and price fluctuations are just a few examples of factors contributing to the increasing volatility of the fresh produce industry,” said Patrick McCullough, chief executive officer of ProducePay.
  • ProducePay and its investors aim to replicate this success across more partners, more produce categories, and more regions around the world.

Study Confirms Fears that COVID Pandemic Reduced Kindergarten Readiness

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

CINCINNATI, Feb. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Numerous studies have raised alarms about how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning, development and mental health among school-aged children. But few have focused on the effects felt by the 22 million children under age 6 who were not yet in school.

Key Points: 
  • Now a study published Feb. 5, 2024 , in JAMA Pediatrics, led by researchers at Cincinnati Children's in collaboration with the Cincinnati Public Schools, documents the pandemic's harmful effects on kindergarten readiness.
  • The findings are based on data from about 8,000 kindergartners who took a state-required Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) in 2018, 2019, and 2021–including 3,200 children who receive care through Cincinnati Children's primary care clinics.
  • "This means that 7 of every 10 children in the Cincinnati Public Schools were considered not ready to learn when they entered kindergarten during the pandemic.
  • "The good news is that we identified several factors that predicted later kindergarten readiness that we already measure during primary care visits," Copeland says.

Where did the ingredients in that sandwich come from? Our global nutrient tracker tells a complex story

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

Research on global food trade – particularly trade in cereals – has a long history.

Key Points: 
  • Research on global food trade – particularly trade in cereals – has a long history.
  • Read more:
    Five ways to reboot the global food economy to make it healthier for all

Mapping global nutrient trade

  • Working with researchers at the University of São Paulo and State University of Campinas in Brazil, we have now published a broader analysis of global nutrient trade over time and its impact on health.
  • It shows the variation in nutrient trade between countries with differing wealth, and some positive links between nutrient trade and health.
  • At the same time, nutrient trade over the 35 years we analysed has grown rapidly, as shown in the chart below for vitamin B12.

The wealth and nutrient gap

  • This is despite those countries having only around 15% of the global population.
  • In contrast, low-income countries have little involvement in global trade of any nutrients.
  • In contrast, nearly 60% of New Zealand’s protein imports comes from Australia, largely in wheat and wheat products.
  • We also analysed the socioeconomic, demographic and health outcome data potentially associated with food consumption patterns and nutrient trade.
  • The findings suggest higher involvement in nutrient trade networks was significantly associated with improvements in infant mortality rates, lower prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age, and greater life expectancy.

Food security and nutrition

  • This knowledge can be used to identify weaknesses in the global food system, and which shocks (climatic, political or biological) might have the greatest consequences for nutrition.
  • Food trade plays a key role in fostering food security and good nutrition.


This work was partially funded by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. Andrew John Fletcher is also employed by Fonterra Cooperative Group. Warren McNabb receives funding from MBIE, MPI, Fonterra, Zespri, Beef & Lamb NZ, HVN and NewFish.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger want to leave Ecowas. A political scientist explains the fallout

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have sent Ecowas, west Africa’s main political union of 15 countries, a formal notice of their withdrawal from the bloc. The three countries are governed by military rulers who have overthrown democratically elected leaders over the past 12 months. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo asked political scientist Olayinka Ajala about the implications of the withdrawal.Why are Mali, Benin and Burkina Faso withdrawing from the bloc?First is what they call the “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions” imposed on them for truncating their democracies.

Key Points: 


Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have sent Ecowas, west Africa’s main political union of 15 countries, a formal notice of their withdrawal from the bloc. The three countries are governed by military rulers who have overthrown democratically elected leaders over the past 12 months. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo asked political scientist Olayinka Ajala about the implications of the withdrawal.

Why are Mali, Benin and Burkina Faso withdrawing from the bloc?

  • First is what they call the “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions” imposed on them for truncating their democracies.
  • Second is the failure of Ecowas to assist them in their “existential fight against terrorism and insecurity”.
  • It has asked for a clear and definite transition timetable, especially for Mali and Burkina Faso.

What impact will the withdrawal have on Ecowas?

  • The main impact will be on trade and economic development.
  • Ecowas is primarily an economic community and the loss of any member will affect trade and economic development.


The economic collapse of the countries. These countries have strategic importance, especially in food security. Niger is a key source of onions while Burkina Faso exports tomatoes to the sub-region.
This would lead to an exodus of citizens to other Ecowas countries, further threatening the stability of the bloc.
Concerns that the three countries will enter into bilateral relationships with countries that might not be favourable to other Ecowas countries. For example, there are already concerns about Niger’s alliance with Russia after it severed ties with France.

What impact will it have on each of the countries?

  • Citizens of Ecowas countries can live and work in any country in the bloc.
  • For instance, there are more than 5 million citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger living and working in Côte d'Ivoire alone.
  • The citizens of all three landlocked countries would no longer be able to travel to other Ecowas states without impediments.

What impact will it have on security in the region?

  • There is already limited security cooperation between the three countries and other Ecowas members.
  • For instance, they have all withdrawn from the G5 Sahel, resulting in the collapse of the organisation.
  • Ecowas leaders have indicated that they are willing to have a dialogue with the three countries.
  • I think Ecowas granting some concessions to prevent them from exiting would be in the interest of the bloc and all the citizens of Ecowas countries.


Olayinka Ajala does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Idaho Milk Products Celebrates Pranav Vashisht’s Best Paper Award at International Conference

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

Jerome, ID, Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idaho Milk Products congratulates Pranav Vashisht for receiving the Best Paper Award at the 13th IDEA Convention & International Conference.

Key Points: 
  • Jerome, ID, Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idaho Milk Products congratulates Pranav Vashisht for receiving the Best Paper Award at the 13th IDEA Convention & International Conference.
  • Pranav Vashisht received the best paper award at the International Conference on the “Recent Advances in Engineering Applications for Sustainable Dairying” organized by the Dairy Engineering Association of India and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
  • During his recent presentation, Pranav shared details about his paper, which focused on optimizing a UV-C system for processing whole milk.
  • Idaho Milk Products proudly supports personal, professional, educational, technical, and, above all, leadership development to help employees realize their potential and be part of a world-class team.

FSIS Highlights 2023 Accomplishments in Protecting Public Health and Strengthening the Food Supply Chain

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Washington, D.C., Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced its key achievements in 2023 that protected public health through food safety and strengthened the food supply chain.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced its key achievements in 2023 that protected public health through food safety and strengthened the food supply chain.
  • The goal was to increase access to regulatory information and best practices to maintain and enhance food safety and strengthen the food supply chain.
  • In partnership with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, FSIS incorporated culturally appropriate food safety information in boxes delivered through the Food Distribution Program in Tribal communities.
  • FSIS protected public health by conducting ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of 161 million head of livestock and 9.8 billion poultry carcasses.

AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith Visits California Volunteers

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Washington, DC, Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith and AmeriCorps leadership visited California last week, engaging with California Volunteers, the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteer, and civic action to tackle the state’s most pressing challenges.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith and AmeriCorps leadership visited California last week, engaging with California Volunteers, the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteer, and civic action to tackle the state’s most pressing challenges.
  • California Volunteers, the Governor-appointed state service commission, administers federal AmeriCorps funding, supporting nearly 7,000 state service opportunities across California.
  • During his visit, CEO Smith met with AmeriCorps members serving with the California College Corps.
  • "I leave California feeling inspired by the transformative service of our AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers across the state,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps.

APTIM Partners with Three Science-Focused Youth Organizations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- APTIM has formed partnerships with three organizations focused on developing the next generation of environmental and sustainability scientists, professionals, and thought leaders.

Key Points: 
  • Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- APTIM has formed partnerships with three organizations focused on developing the next generation of environmental and sustainability scientists, professionals, and thought leaders.
  • APTIM shares and celebrates the missions of these organizations through the firm’s daily work and will continue to support them through volunteer and engagement opportunities in 2024.
  • The FAMU School of Environment’s Sustainability Institute provides experiences that inspire students to advance sustainable solutions to food security.
  • These programs are designed to engage, increase confidence, and introduce STEM careers to girls by providing meaningful, hands-on learning.

Eden Green Partners with Sharing Excess to Expand Donation Capabilities, Better Address Food Insecurity

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eden Green Technology (Eden Green), a next-generation indoor vertical farming company, today announced a partnership with Sharing Excess, a nonprofit organization that works to address food insecurity, that will enhance its robust food donation program.

Key Points: 
  • DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eden Green Technology (Eden Green), a next-generation indoor vertical farming company, today announced a partnership with Sharing Excess, a nonprofit organization that works to address food insecurity, that will enhance its robust food donation program.
  • Eden Green’s donations have totaled over 365,000 pounds of fresh, hydroponic lettuce to date, and the partnership with Sharing Excess will further this initiative’s impact.
  • Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges for families and individuals across the United States.
  • Addressing food insecurity with healthy, reliable produce has been central to Eden Green’s mission since its founding.

GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Food Market Analysis Report 2024: Consumption is Expected to Reach 59.64 Million MT by 2028 - Regional Insights, Size and Trends with Impact of COVID-19 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

GCC food market by consumption is expected to reach 59.64 million MT by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.90% during the forecast period of 2023-2028.

Key Points: 
  • GCC food market by consumption is expected to reach 59.64 million MT by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.90% during the forecast period of 2023-2028.
  • The GCC Food market holds immense potential for growth and innovation due to its strategic location and the region's burgeoning population.
  • The GCC Food market growth is driven by factors such as increased population, per capita income, and tourism.
  • Impact Analysis of COVID-19 and Way Forward:
    The COVID-19 epidemic had a negative impact on market trends in GCC food market.