Garamendi: Delta tunnel plan should consider impacts to ag lands * State lists foothill yellow-legged frog as endangered * State office rejects food waste regulations

An annual gathering of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture produced language the state leaders hope will shape trade, climate, and food policies for the coming year.

Lawmakers hope to include provisions in a new farm bill that would reduce food waste by encouraging donations of ugly produce and surplus commodities that would otherwise be discarded.

The online food store seems like any other grocery site: The five-pound wheel of Blue Stilton cheese is no longer in stock, but there’s still plenty of beef, chicken, basmati rice, apples, Yukon Gold potatoes, yogurt, and a host of other foodstuffs available, all part of a plan to cut food waste.

Food banks and other non-profits are stepping up to help the government turn what would be wasted food much needed nourishment to "food-insecure" families.

By just about any measure, more food is wasted in developed countries than developing countries, but when it comes to measuring impact, lost food can be absolutely tragic in countries like Nigeria where a lack of infrastructure and energy sources commonly wipes out crops, bankrupts farmers and steals food from the hungry.

Three federal agencies -- USDA, EPA and FDA -- have signed a formal agreement aimed at making Americans more aware of the importance of reducing food waste.