http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR82/ERR82.pdf

Examines the structure, costs, and challenges of organic milk production. Compares organic and conventional milk production methods and costs. Concludes that economic forces have made organic operations more like conventional operations and that the future of organic operations may depend on the interpretation of new pasture rules. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR85/

Examines household food access for several months prior to initial receipt of federal assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and for several months after joining the program. Concludes that the SNAP program reduces very low food security by about one-third. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/ORA/menu/Published/CNP/FILES/NSLPDirectCertification2009.pdf

Reports on the progress made by states and school districts in directly certifying eligibility for free school lunch programs for children from households that receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Asssistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program). Reports that 78% of all school districts directly certified some SNAP participants. From the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB61/EIB61.pdf

Traces trends in the declining percent of spending by households on food and a corresponding increase in food insecurity in low-income and even middle-income households. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

http://docustore.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/newsroom/wfp209430.pdf

Represents the 10th progress report on world hunger since the 1996 World Food Summit. Reports that the global economic crisis has confronted poor developing countries with declines in export earnings and foreign aid. Estimates that 1.02 billion people are undernourished in 2009. From the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09873.pdf

Examines how several federal agencies are trying to assure the safety of imported foods and describes what problems remain to be resolved. From the Government Accountability Office

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5079490&acct=wdmgeninfo

Reports that more than 4,900 farmers markets are currently in operation, up from fewer than 1800 fifteen years ago. They provide access to locally grown food, revitalize neighborhoods, and enhance social interaction. This guide describes how market operators and building managers can establish and operate farmers markets on federal property which is often located in central business districts. From the Department of Agriculture and the General Services Administration.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cesan.pdf

Reports that average annual consumer expenditures rose 1.7% in 2008 following an increase of 2.6% in 2007. Increases in spending for housing and food were somewhat offset by decreases in spending for transportation, and apparel. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58e1005a1.htm

Summarizes the results of an analysis that showed the percentage of secondary schools in which students could not purchase candy, salty snacks, soda pop or sports drinks and the trend from 2002 to 2008. Tables provide individual state percentages for 40 states for snacks and 34 states for soda pop or sports drinks. Includes Virginia in both tables. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB58/EIB58.pdf

Reports that organic foods accounted for $21 billion in retail sales in 2008, compared to $3.6 billion in 1997. Describes developments in the organic food delivery chain as a whole and component categories. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/acsbr08-8.pdf

Reports that 9.8 million or 8.6% of U.S. households received food stamps/SNAP benefits in 2008. Shows the number and percentage of households receiving federal food benefits by state. From the Census Bureau.