Public News Service

The Environmental Working Group said multiple studies indicate pesticide levels in the body drop when people adopt an all-organic diet. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: 75% of conventionally grown produce has pesticide residue

Marylanders shopping for fresh produce may want to consider a new report that finds chemical residues in much of the crop. In its 2024 "Shoppers …

More than 600,000 Marylanders participate in SNAP in an average month. (Adobe Stock)

One-year extension of farm bill buoys food insecure in MD

The November continuing resolution included a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, marking a temporary reprieve for Marylanders relying on …

Maryland SNAP participation peaked during the summer of 2021 with more than 860,000 enrolled in the program. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 1 in 9 Marylanders rely on federal programs to avoid food insecurity

A new report looking at hunger in Maryland showed the role federal nutrition programs play in supporting many residents, as well as the state's food …

Baltimore City students can experience hands-on planting at Great Kids Farm. (Adobe Stock)

USDA announces partnership to reform school food procurement

October is National Farm to School Month and the Department of Agriculture has announced a new effort to improve students' access to high-quality food…

The Open Access portal concept was originally developed by the Aspen Institute's Food and Society Program. (Adobe Stock)

Open Access Baltimore Brings Free Support to Food Entrepreneurs

A new web resource supporting food entrepreneurship in Baltimore is open for business. Morgan State University has partnered with the City of …

The new Kids Count Data Book indicates 54% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Maryland were not enrolled in preschool programs between 2017 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Maryland Ranks 21st for Child Well-being

The new Kids Count Data Book found the child care system still struggling in the wake of the pandemic. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report showed …

Estimates indicate Maryland will lose $69 million of federal funds per month. (Piman Khrutmuang/Adobe Stock)

MD SNAP Benefit Reductions Will Total Nearly $700 Million in 2023

With the end of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments, hunger advocates are sounding the alarm over food insecurity …

60 days notice when the decision is made to terminate or allow the current public health emergency to expire. (Adobe Stock)">

Food Insecurity Looms Amid Inflation, End of COVID Era Supports

The issue of charity around meals is a common theme during the holidays, though this year the prospect of a sudden drop-off in federal benefits has …

In a new survey of HBCU students, 55% reported their housing situation was not secure at some point in the last year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: HBCU Students Face Obstacles to Meeting Basic Needs

The pandemic's lingering effects are being felt by some college students struggling to make it to graduation. A new report focuses on the barriers …

MD Groups Press for Action on “Forever Chemicals”

With the Maryland General Assembly set to start next week, environmental groups are urging lawmakers to regulate toxic chemicals, after a new report …

MD Seniors Honored for Aiding Vets, Nourishing Hungry

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Two Maryland men have received AARP Maryland's highest honors for folks age 50 and older for giving back to their communities…

The number of Maryland fourth graders who were not proficient in reading increased to 65% in 2019, according to a new report. (Adobe stock)

Report: MD Lawmakers Need to Keep Spotlight on Child Well-Being

BALTIMORE -- Advocates said Maryland lawmakers need to focus more than ever on helping children, as a new report shows the state dropped from 21st in …

Food insecurity in Maryland increased 88% during the pandemic, according to the Maryland Food Bank. (Adobe stock)

Health Group Launches New Faith-Based Grants for MD Community Projects

ANNAPOLIS. Md. - More and more people are turning to faith-based groups for help during the pandemic. In Maryland and other East Coast states…

The number of Marylanders enrolled in the SNAP benefits program soared from 630,000 at the start of the year to almost 845,000 during the pandemic, a new report found. (Adobe stock)

Reports: Maryland Food Insecurity Skyrockets During Pandemic

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland is experiencing a hunger crisis during the pandemic, and schools will need to reach out to more low-income children with …

The Capital Area Food Bank in Maryland is receiving a $400,000 grant this month. (Capital Area Food Bank)

$1M in Grants Help MD Groups Address COVID-19 Impact

BALTIMORE -- Spurred by concern for supporting underserved communities battling the impact of COVID-19, UnitedHealthcare awarded $1 million to …

Maryland's nascent oyster industry may not survive the pandemic, scientists say. (Chesapeake Bay Program)

Senators: Expand Pandemic Aid for Seafood Industry

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With the U.S. seafood industry in an economic free fall during the pandemic, senators and advocacy groups are calling on Congress …

The United Food and Commercial Workers union says it's crucial that all supermarket workers are able to be tested for the new coronavirus. (Adobe Stock)

After Deaths, Push to Declare Grocery Workers “First Responders”

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With major grocery chains reporting their first COVID-19-related employee deaths, including one worker at a Giant food store in …

New cooking classes in Baltimore help participants prepare healthy meals to reduce risk of diabetes. (Adobe stock)

In National Diabetes Month, Underserved Area Gets Healthy-Cooking Program

BALTIMORE — November is National Diabetes Month, and a new pilot program in East Baltimore is teaching an underserved community heart-healthy …

Lawful permanent residents (LPR) are eligible for public benefits after they have resided as legal residents of the U.S. for five years. (Pixabay)

Should Immigrants Who Use Public Benefits Lose Green Cards?

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – People can now officially weigh in on a proposal by the Trump administration to punish legal permanent residents who have used …

Despite living in one of the wealthiest states in the country, more than 650,000 Marylanders struggle with hunger. (Pixabay)

Maryland Food Bank Aims to Decrease Food Insecurity

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – People around the country are stepping up to to help fight hunger, including for the nearly 665,000 struggling with food …

If Congress doesn't pass a new Farm Bill before the existing bill expires on Sept. 30, many programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be stranded without funding. (Pixabay)

Debate Over SNAP Work Rules Slows Farm Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Congress may not be able to finish the farm bill by the end of the month, when the old one expires. One deadlock is a …

Kids in Baltimore will need to be accompanied by an adult and will need their permission to order a sugary beverage. (Twenty20/Darby)

Baltimore Restaurants Bar Sodas, Sugary Drinks on Kids' Menus

BALTIMORE — Thanks to a city ordinance that went into effect Wednesday, Baltimore now is the biggest U.S. city - and the first on the East …

AARP Maryland, the AARP Foundation and REAL School Gardens partner to build an outdoor classroom for southwest Baltimore students. (REAL School Gardens)

Outdoor Classroom to Help Baltimore Students Learn, Grow

BALTIMORE – In southwest Baltimore, an empty schoolyard will be transformed into an outdoor classroom and learning garden to help students …

According to Maryland Hunger Solutions, older people who don�t know where they will get their next meal are five times more likely than their food-secure peers to suffer from depression. (Pixabay)

Volunteers Across MD Launch Food Drive to Alleviate Senior Hunger

BALTIMORE – While hunger is a persistent issue in America, one group of people that many may not immediately recognize as struggling are senior …

The National Chicken Council says allowing poultry processors to operate at faster speeds would not create food-safety issues. (Pixabay)

Poultry Industry Proposes Speeding Up Slaughter Times

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The poultry industry is proposing changes that would allow faster line speeds in factories. But opponents are asking what the …

World Health Organization recommendations aim to help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics in human medicine by reducing their unnecessary use in animals. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Will New Maryland Law Change Antibiotic Use on Farms?

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Starting in January, Maryland becomes the second state in the nation to restrict the routine use of antibiotics in animals…

The USDA's Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program provides grants to state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to create incentives for food stamp recipients to shop at farmers' markets and other fresh food outlets. (Pixabay)

Double Your Cash at Local Farmers' Market

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – There's more to be thankful for at farmers' markets this holiday season. In addition to making fresh, locally grown produce …

Advocates say the presidential candidates have been ignoring the issue of poverty and hunger in America. (usda.org)

Call to Candidates: Let's Talk About Hunger, Poverty

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The presidential candidates in two formal debates and on the campaign trial have talked about jobs and the economy, …

A mandatory GMO food labeling law that went into effect in Vermont this month already is affecting all 50 states, including Maryland. (Veronica Carter)

Vermont's GMO Law Changes Labels in Maryland

BALTIMORE – There's a new warning on many of the foods you eat, a label saying they contain a genetically modified organism, or GMO. That's …

A new report says just an extra $30 a month per person in SNAP benefits would help lower-income families afford healthier meals. (usda.gov)

Report: Families Need Higher SNAP Benefits to Stay Healthy

BALTIMORE – New research commissioned by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows giving low-income families in Maryland a little more m…

Opponents of Senate Joint Resolution 28 say Americans' health is at risk if a fish inspection program ends. (Veronica Carter)

Catfish Inspection Program Could Be Gutted

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The House could vote soon on a plan to scrap a catfish-inspection program. Senators approved Joint Resolution 28 last month…

Hip, knee and back pain can set in by overdoing it, or also by not getting enough exercise. (Kevin Patrick Allen)

Put Down the Phone and Get Moving

BALTIMORE, Md. - It may sound like a joke or an insult, but Dormant Butt Syndrome is a real issue and affects millions of Americans. It's a …

Many parents and guardians don't know where children can get free summer meals. (Christine Marie Fletcher)

Thousands of Maryland Children Go Hungry During Summer

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - About a quarter of a million children in Maryland rely on free and reduced-price school breakfast and lunch programs during the …

A new study finds older Americans, especially men, and certain ethnic groups need to drink more water to stay healthy. (Veronica Carter)

Americans Need to Step Up Their Water Intake

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has followed up on a study that was done about a decade ago that looks at whether …

Could some foods in your cupboard be toxic? A new report says harmful chemicals have been found in the linings of the cans. (Virginia Carter)

Canned Foods May Pose Toxic Risk

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Chemicals in the linings of most food cans may be dangerous to consumers, according to a new report released jointly by six …

New food-stamp regulations are going into effect in Maryland next month, and food pantries may not be able to handle the influx. (Virginia Carter)

1 in 5 Children in Maryland Experience Food Insecurity

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - People age 18 to 49 who are considered able-bodied adults with no dependents will lose SNAP benefits on April 1 unless they meet new …

Senate Committee OKs "DARK Act"

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Senate Agriculture Committee has given approval to what opponents call the DARK Act, or Deny Americans the Right to Know…

More than 750,000 Marylanders don't have enough to eat and volunteers are helping to end that by participating in a food drive. (AAR.)

Campaign Underway to Feed Maryland's Hungry

BALTIMORE – There are more than 750,000 people in Maryland who don't know where their next meal is coming from, and according to AARP many of …

Researchers say boys who are heavy are more likely to start puberty early. (Virginia Carter)

Study: Obese Boys Start Puberty Later

BALTIMORE - Childhood obesity is linked to multiple health problems for both boys and girls, but new research shows how extra weight has a different …

The EPA erred in allowing a bee-killing pesticide, sulfoxaflor, on the market, according to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Credit: Deborah C. Smith.

Federal Court Not Sweet on Bee-Killing Pesticide

WASHINGTON - A pesticide that kills bees should not have been cleared for agricultural use by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a …

Volunteers at the National Mall will pack one million meals for the hungry. Credit: USDA

Volunteer Army to Pack One Million Meals at National Mall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - An army of volunteers, including a busload from Baltimore, will fill the National Mall tomorrow to prepare one million meals for …

Three farmers markets in Baltimore have partnered with the Summer Food Service Program to dish up healthy food and nutrition education for children. Credit: Deborah C. Smith.

Farmers Market Celebration: Connecting Kids with Healthy Food

BALTIMORE - Fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs - and kids - are the stars of the party for National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 2-8) in Maryland. At an …

Hilton Worldwide says it will begin to eliminate the use of cages for egg-laying hens and gestation crates for breeding pigs from its global supply chain. Credit: gellinger/Pixabay.com.

Hilton Hotels Go "Cage-Free"

BALTIMORE - Hilton Worldwide, one of the largest resort and hotel chains in the world, has announced it will eliminate the use of cages for egg-…

More than 800,000 students in schools across Maryland are set to take a synchronized crunch into an apple at 9:15 Wednesday morning. While not just for students, the Hear the Maryland Crunch Initiative is intended to promote school breakfast. Credit: Sipa/Pixabay.com.

Grab an Apple and Get Ready for the "Crunch Heard Around the State"

BALTIMORE - More than 800,000 students in school districts across Maryland, along with Catholic schools in Baltimore, are set to take a synchronized …

GRAPHIC: A new report ranks Maryland in the top ten for its rate of school breakfast participation among low-income students. Graphic courtesy of Food Research and Action Center.

Maryland Makes Honor Roll in School Breakfast Report Card

BALTIMORE - Maryland has moved up to ninth - from 14th last year - in the new School Breakfast Scorecard from the Food Research and Action Center…

PHOTO: Maryland schools in high-poverty areas are taking part in a new program that allows them to serve no-charge, nutritious breakfast and lunch to all students. Administrators report the program is running smoothly. Photo courtesy of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

"Hunger-Free" Option Receives School Kudos

SALISBURY, Md. - A new program offering breakfast and lunch in school at no charge is now in place for all public schools in Somerset County on the …

PHOTO: The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation effort that encourages farmers to address resource concerns in new and innovative ways. Those farmers whose contracts are up this year must renew by Sept. 12 to continue with the program. Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Conservation Stewardship Program Deadline Approaches

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Time is running out for some Maryland farmers who want to continue receiving federal assistance to improve soil, water, air and …

PHOTO: Maryland Hunger Solutions has joined several anti-hunger groups in backing federal legislation that would expand summer meal availability. Photo courtesy of USDA Summer Food Service Program.

Summer Push Underway to Get More Meals to Low-Income Kids

BALTIMORE - Anti-hunger organizations want next summer to be the best possible summer for low-income kids, and are backing the new federal Summer …

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MD: Hunger/Food/Nutrition