Civil Eats
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Award-winning news and commentary about the U.S. food system. Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://civileats.com/newsletter/
With polluted waterways and rising cancer rates, many Iowa voters say they'll be choosing candidates based on their plans to address the problem. “I think there’s a jailbreak about to happen on water quality.”
Water Contamination From Ag Is a Top Issue in Iowa Midterms
With polluted waterways and rising cancer rates, many Iowa voters will be choosing candidates based on their plans to address the problem.
civileats.com
Immigrant women in the U.S. face higher risks when it comes to maternal healthcare—especially amid the current immigration crackdown. In Madison, Wisconsin, a cooperative of immigrant doulas is working to change that.
Meet the Immigrant Doulas Feeding Their Wisconsin Communities
At Roots4Change, a group of immigrant women supports expecting mothers with fresh food from local farms. Many share the same experiences.
civileats.com
The Republican candidate for governor has ties to the Koch family, one of the country’s most powerful pro-industry forces.
Will MAHA Candidate Zach Lahn Stand Up to Big Ag in Iowa?
The Republican candidate for governor has ties to the Koch family, one of the country’s most powerful pro-industry forces.
civileats.com
From SNAP cuts to USDA grant cancellations, rapid changes to federal policy have had a deep impact on food and farming. Take a look at some of our key reporting from 2026 so far. ⬇️
The Most Impactful Food Policy Stories of 2026 (So Far)
From loosened regulations to cuts in SNAP and USDA, rapid changes to federal policy have had a deep impact on food and farming.
civileats.com
Food safety experts say federal handling of the outbreak highlighted gaps in the food safety system created in part by cuts from the Trump administration.
What the Cyclospora Outbreak Says About the Food Safety System
The U.S. is facing a food-borne illness outbreak, and food safety experts say Trump cuts have made it harder to respond.
civileats.com
It’s been an eventful year already, and we look forward to bringing you more news about how these fights shape up in the months ahead. Here are our most important food policy stories of 2026 so far. ⬇️
The Most Impactful Food Policy Stories of 2026 (So Far)
From loosened regulations to cuts in SNAP and USDA, rapid changes to federal policy have had a deep impact on food and farming.
civileats.com
Summer’s not over yet! Check out this year’s 2026 Food and Farming Book Guide, which features titles written by and about farmers. 📚 ⬇️
Our Summer 2026 Food and Farming Book Guide
This year’s collection is rich in books by and about farmers.
civileats.com
From SNAP cuts to USDA grant cancellations, rapid changes to federal policy have had a deep impact on food and farming. Here’s our key coverage to date. ⬇️
The Most Impactful Food Policy Stories of 2026 (So Far)
From loosened regulations to cuts in SNAP and USDA, rapid changes to federal policy have had a deep impact on food and farming.
civileats.com
What the Cyclospora Outbreak Says About the Food Safety System
What the Cyclospora Outbreak Says About the Food Safety System
The U.S. is facing a food-borne illness outbreak, and food safety experts say Trump cuts have made it harder to respond.
civileats.com
Jamila Norman, the founder and operator of Patchwork City Farms, is a member of several organizations dedicated to strengthening the community of Black farmers in Atlanta and improving the city’s food system. Read about her work in our series, Farming 250. ⬇️
‘We Can’t Build a System on Luck’
Jamila Norman founded Patchwork City Farms to provide fresh food for her community and strengthen the network of Black farmers in Atlanta.
civileats.com
Will MAHA Candidate Zach Lahn Stand Up to Big Ag in Iowa?
Will MAHA Candidate Zach Lahn Stand Up to Big Ag in Iowa?
The Republican candidate for governor has ties to the Koch family, one of the country’s most powerful pro-industry forces.
civileats.com
Legislation pushing an overhaul of the U.S. food labeling requirements and putting warning labels on ultra-processed foods have been introduced or advanced in the Senate.
Congress Moves Forward on Two Food Labeling Bills
Legislation pushing an overhaul of the U.S. food labeling requirements and putting warning labels on ultra-processed foods have been introduced or advanced in the Senate this month.
civileats.com
Senators are pushing for stronger labeling requirements on foods, including a warning label for ultra-processed foods and those containing non-nutritive sweeteners.
Congress Moves Forward on Two Food Labeling Bills
Legislation pushing an overhaul of the U.S. food labeling requirements and putting warning labels on ultra-processed foods have been introduced or advanced in the Senate this month.
civileats.com
“We recognized that the most fulfilling act we can do as parents is to have our child grow up not just eating these traditional foods but helping farm them, too." Hear more from Zachariah Ben (Diné), co-founder and owner of Bidii Baby Foods, in our series, First Person. ⬇️
Providing Traditional Foods for Indigenous Children
With Bidii Baby Foods, sixth-generation Navajo farmer Zachariah Ben is growing crops for future generations.
civileats.com
At Roots4Change, a group of immigrant women is supporting expecting mothers with fresh food from local farms. Many share the same experiences.
Meet the Immigrant Doulas Feeding Their Wisconsin Communities
At Roots4Change, a group of immigrant women supports expecting mothers with fresh food from local farms. Many share the same experiences.
civileats.com
On the national stage, Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn won over MAHA. Now, on the ground in Iowa, farmers and other voters concerned about corporate power in agriculture are considering his record.
Will MAHA Candidate Zach Lahn Stand Up to Big Ag in Iowa?
The Republican candidate for governor has ties to the Koch family, one of the country’s most powerful pro-industry forces.
civileats.com
"The future I imagine is more recognition and awareness of where the food that we eat every day actually comes from. And it really does come from small farms,” says Jamila Norman, founder of Patchwork City Farms. Read her story in our series, Farming 250. ⬇️
‘We Can’t Build a System on Luck’
Jamila Norman founded Patchwork City Farms to provide fresh food for her community and strengthen the network of Black farmers in Atlanta.
civileats.com
Immigrant women in the U.S. face higher risks when it comes to maternal healthcare, as they navigate a system that often doesn’t feel safe to enter—especially amid the current immigration crackdown. In Madison, Wisconsin, a cooperative of immigrant doulas is filling the gap. ➡️ buff.ly/5c0ocd1
Zach Lahn, a Republican candidate in Iowa’s gubernatorial election, has ties to the Koch family, one of the country’s most powerful pro-industry forces. With so much at stake in Iowa, farmers and other voters are considering his record. Read more from @lisaelaineh.bsky.social. ⬇️
Will MAHA Candidate Zach Lahn Stand Up to Big Ag in Iowa?
The Republican candidate for governor has ties to the Koch family, one of the country’s most powerful pro-industry forces.
civileats.com
Jamila Norman founded Patchwork City Farms to provide fresh food for her community. She now works to strengthen the network of Black farmers in Atlanta. Read her story in our series, Farming 250. ➡️ buff.ly/z8KUoO6
"We didn’t set out to spark a revolution,” says Zachariah Ben (Diné), co-founder and owner of Bidii Baby Foods. "My wife, Mary, and I just wanted to feed our first child fresh, local, culturally significant foods." Read his story from our series, First Person. ⬇️
Providing Traditional Foods for Indigenous Children
With Bidii Baby Foods, sixth-generation Navajo farmer Zachariah Ben is growing crops for future generations.
civileats.com
Food safety experts say federal handling of the outbreak has highlighted gaps in the food safety system created in part by cuts from the Trump administration.
What the Cyclospora Outbreak Says About the Food Safety System
The U.S. is facing a food-borne illness outbreak, and food safety experts say Trump cuts have made it harder to respond.
civileats.com
With Bidii Baby Foods, sixth-generation Navajo farmer Zachariah Ben is growing crops for future generations. “We became determined to normalize . . .access to healthy traditional foods so we could shape our children’s palates and improve health outcomes.” Read more from our series, First Person. ⬇️
Providing Traditional Foods for Indigenous Children
With Bidii Baby Foods, sixth-generation Navajo farmer Zachariah Ben is growing crops for future generations.
civileats.com
The U.S. is facing an "explosive" food-borne illness challenge, and food safety experts say Trump cuts have made it harder to respond. "We’re really hampering and strapping the people that are charged with doing this.”
What the Cyclospora Outbreak Says About the Food Safety System
The U.S. is facing an ‘explosive’ food-borne illness challenge, and food safety experts say Trump cuts have made it harder to respond.
civileats.com
Democrats have sent a letter to Taylor Farms, seeking more information on political donations and access to the White House, amid the ongoing cyclospora outbreak. Read more ➡️ buff.ly/FP9WHvD
House Democrats are investigating the involvement of Taylor Farms in the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, citing concerns over potential political influence and attempts to mislead consumers.
House Democrats To Investigate Taylor Farms' Role in Cyclospora Outbreak
One representative alleges the food company’s political donations could have been used to influence the ongoing food-borne illness investigation.
civileats.com
Come November, many Iowa voters will be choosing candidates based on their plans to address water contamination and rising cancer rates. “I feel like we have representatives right now who don’t care,” one voter said.
Water Contamination From Ag Is a Top Issue in Iowa Midterms
With polluted waterways and rising cancer rates, many Iowa voters will be choosing candidates based on their plans to address the problem.
civileats.com
The cyclospora outbreak is a reminder of the gaps in federal food safety and response, due in part, experts say, to cuts made early in the Trump administration and years of insufficient funding.
What the Cyclospora Outbreak Says About the Food Safety System
The U.S. is facing an ‘explosive’ food-borne illness challenge, and food safety experts say Trump cuts have made it harder to respond.
civileats.com
Voters are poised to shift their state toward action on a problem that now affects daily life and ecosystems within Iowa—and beyond.
Water Contamination From Ag Is a Top Issue in Iowa Midterms
With polluted waterways and rising cancer rates, many Iowa voters will be choosing candidates based on their plans to address the problem.
civileats.com