There is a LOT going on and we're working to make it digestible this evening. A big potential $200B SNAP cut, FDA leadership changes, and food prices going through the roof aren't just headlines – they're reshaping who gets to eat what in America. Our workforce is shifting before our eyes, but we have to stay focused and adjust. Here's what's on the docket:

Small farms and food entrepreneurs are battling broken supply chains and new tariffs. But watch this space – more mood-boosting beverages, protein tech breakthroughs in chocolate, and community-focused programs are where the real action is happening.

As the former FDA Lead, Jim Jones, is out, Kennedy marks his first two weeks – and major implications are coming for our industry. Looks like Seed Oils are right at the top of the list.

At Expo West next week, I'm diving into how these shifts are prioritizing profits over impact.  I'll join fellow CEOs exploring how tariffs and pricing could fundamentally change sustainability efforts in our communities.

Check out Octavia's Price model for eggs below.

Beef and poultry are just as golden as our reserves...

Riana and the Journey Team 🌱

‍

FDA Leadership Change: Jim Jones Departs
The resignation of Jim Jones as head of the FDA is being seen as a positive shift toward modernization. Advocates are pushing for a startup-style approach to government operations—prioritizing rapid innovation, efficiency, and real-time data-driven policies. Historically, in the 1940s, the U.S. invested nearly three times more of its GDP in research than today. This era of bold investment fueled major breakthroughs in food safety, medicine, and infrastructure. Policymakers and industry leaders alike are calling for a renewed commitment to breaking things fast, alternative influence,competitiveness, and research-driven policy solutions.

Meat Prices Soar as Farmers Struggle
The price of ground beef has surged over 43% in just five years, now averaging $5.92 per pound as of this week. Rising feed costs, climate change challenges, and corporate consolidation in the meatpacking industry continue to drive up consumer prices. Meanwhile, small-scale cattle ranchers are struggling to keep up, sparking conversations around antitrust enforcement and sustainable farming solutions.

Urban Revitalization: Bringing Greenery Back to Cities
Innovative urban design projects, such as vegetal canopies, are being introduced to bring nature back into densely populated areas. These suspended green structures, designed to cool city environments and improve air quality, are gaining traction as cities look to combat climate change and urban heat islands. Could this model expand across the U.S.?

Women’s Representation in the Food Industry (More in March)
Recent data highlights the gender disparity in the food industry, particularly in event circuits and leadership roles. Women chefs and speakers remain underrepresented in major conferences, pointing to ongoing systemic barriers in visibility and career advancement. Efforts like the Cherry Bombe Jubilee and similar platforms continue to push for greater inclusion.

USDA Reverses Suspension of 1890 Scholars Program
Following intense public and congressional pressure, the USDA has reinstated the 1890 Scholars Program, which supports students at historically Black land-grant universities. The decision marks a victory for advocates fighting for equity in agricultural education and workforce development. DOGE is backtracking on this and EBOLA cuts among other huge mistakes.

How to Build a hyperlocal economy in the winter
The hyperlocal manufacturing economy shows significant growth during winter months, with a 37% increase in home-based production businesses registered between November and February compared to summer quarters, according to 2024 data from the Small Business Administration. This seasonal shift represents approximately 125,000 new micro-manufacturing enterprises nationwide, generating an estimated $3.2 billion in hyperlocal economic activity. Winter's indoor confinement, combined with increasing consumer preference for locally-made goods (68% of consumers now prefer local products versus 41% in 2019), creates ideal conditions for entrepreneurs to participate in this growing sector that emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and community economic development.

We are all coupon queens! $200 Billion SNAP Cut ProposedNow, I get cutting some food SKUs from food stamp purchase ability like candy, but a newly Congress-approved budget proposal includes a massive $200 billion cut to SNAP benefits, which could drastically impact millions of food-insecure Americans. This is the land of the bold, but today, we are all boldly hungry. This move signals the nuances of a big push for workforce participation over flexible or remote work, with policymakers focusing on job fulfillment across all sectors rather than continuing social assistance programs. Let's be real:  in the short-term this is tone deaf food security management and will push low-income families into deeper economic strain affecting us all.

Love what you're reading? Click to subscribe here so you never miss an update!