MIDAS & SNAP

MIDAS & SNAP plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

With the 2012 Farm Bill in question a lot of House Republican’s are saying even if it were to get done that the USDA would not be able to implement the program for some time. But USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse says the new computer system at USDA’s Farm Service Agency called MIDAS will allow the department to implement the next farm bill much faster than previous bills.
MIDAS stands for Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agriculture Systems and will go live in January.

The USDA has been working hard to counter abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That abuse has cost the country millions of dollars according to Under Sec. for Food and Nutrition Services Kevin Concannon.

CONCANNON: Trafficking - the sale of benefits knowingly occurs in supermarkets or large stores at the rate of three tenths of one percent. Already in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 we have imposed sanctions or penalties to fines or disqualifications on more than 574 stores found violating our program rules and we’ve permanently disqualified 1016 stores for trafficking. Under these new proposals, USDA would have the ability yo permanently disqualify a retailer who participates in trafficking and

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

It’s no secret that food prices are expected to increase, but that doesn’t mean you and your family have to eliminate foods you love, such as beef, from your grocery list - you just have to learn how to shop on a budget and know what to look for in the meat case. Many consumers maybe aren’t aware that beef is also a seasonal commodity. In the summer, when everyone is barbecuing, the focus is on steaks and ground beef and the price reflects that. Same story in the winter when roasts are the top sellers. So, buy your beef in the “off season”. When it’s hot enough outside to fry eggs on the side walk most people aren’t thinking about firing up the oven to cook a roast, but beef producers still have to sell them, so they lower the price. Now is the time to buy your roasts, take them home and wrap them for the freezer. When the weather cools down, (you know it will eventually), you and your family will be enjoying that tri-tip, rump, or top loin roast. Just don’t forget when the weather does cool down that’s the time to be buying your favorite steak cuts. With the right combination of seasonal shopping, watching ads and comparing prices you and your family will continue to enjoy all the foods you love.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.