A bill that reauthorizes federal child nutrition programs passed in an important house committee last week. It’s called the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act. Both the National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association are in support of the bill, saying in addition to expanding eligibility and increasing support to schools the bill increases students access to nutritious food by securing the ability for schools to serve all milk options consistent with dietary guidelines. The bill now moves forward to the full house.
Oregon Dairy Controversy
Controversy continues to swirl around Easterday Farms. The focus is now on a northern Oregon dairy operation. The Tri-City Herald reports Easterday Dairy has repeatedly been cited for failing to bring nitrate levels in water at the site under control, even without cattle there. The site is located east of Portland in Boardman, Ore.
Now, Easterday is suing the former owners of the site for breach of contract saying it’s their fault the cleanup hasn’t been accomplished. Easterday is asking for millions of dollars in damages or to be released from the purchase agreement. So far the Oregon Department of Ag has refused to issue a permit for a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) until the nitrate levels are in compliance. Easterday filled for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy last year. That came after Cody Easterday pleaded guilty in a so-called ‘ghost cattle scheme.’
