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Since 1818, loyal readers of the Farmers Almanac have turned to the publication for weather predictions, gardening tips, astronomy calendars, and more. But, on November 6, the Farmers Almanac announced that the 2026 edition of the magazine will be its last. The news came through a post to the Farmers Almanac website by editor Sandi Duncan and editor emeritus Peter Geiger. It is with a great appreciation and heartfelt emotions that we write to share some sad news, the note reads. After more than 200 years of sharing a unique blend of weather, wit, and wisdom, weve made the very difficult decision to write the final chapter of this historical publication. Per the post, readers will be able to access the Farmers Almanac website until December, and they can find the last edition of the magazine on its website, Amazon, and in certain local stores. The shuttering of this legacy publication is yet another blow to a beleaguered print media landscape. “Tell your kids how grandad always swore by the ‘Almanac'” The Farmers Almanac was founded by Jacob Young, a poet, astronomer, and teacher who ran the publication for 34 years. Its long-range weather predictions, which have been trusted by some American farmers over other forecasts for decades (despite the publication being notoriously cagey about how it devises said predictions), predate the creation of the National Weather Service by more than 50 years. During its 207-year run, the Farmers Almanac has had just seven editors. Its become particularly known for its Best Days section, which offers readers suggestions on the ideal timing to garden, go fishing, kill plant pests, or even cut hair and quit smoking. Farmers Almanac did not immediately respond to Fast Company‘s request for further details on the reasoning behind its closure, but the writing has likely been on the wall for some time now. Over the past several years, print media has become a notoriously difficult business as readers turn to digital publications and social media for their news. Print publications that have either gone fully digital or shut down entirely include O: The Oprah Magazine, Life Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, and, most recently, Teen Vogue. Print magazines have seen something of a revival as a luxury good among young consumers in recent months, but theyre unlikely to see a return to the heyday of publications like the Farmers Almanac. Already, dedicated fans are taking to the comments of the Farmers Almanac announcement, as well as social media, to mourn the loss of the annual publication. Oh no, I buy this every year & my friends & family call to ask if we have any storms coming! one person commented under the publications post. The Almanac is so accurate, Ill be lost without it. Another follower on Instagram wrote: This is so sad! I just got land to start growing herbs and food, and planned to get a membership just as my dad always had. In their note to readers, Duncan and Geiger expressed their gratitude for supporters, contributors, and partners, adding that though the Almanac will no longer be available in print or online, it lives on within you. So go aheadplant your peas when the daffodils bloom, Duncan and Geiger wrote. Watch for a red sky at night. Tell the kids how granddad always swore by the Almanac. Thats how our story stays alive.
Category:
E-Commerce
The Trump administration isnt backing down from its refusal to fully fund the SNAP program even after being ordered to by a judge on Thursday. The federal government asked a federal appeals court on Friday to block a judges order directing the Trump administration to fully distribute Novembers SNAP benefits by the end of the day. In the U.S., 42 million people 12% of Americans rely on food stamps to buy groceries and afford food. Nearly 40% of SNAP recipients are children and another 20% are over the age of 60. On Thursday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the government to release the full amount of federal funds for food stamps set to be distributed in November. People have gone without for too long, U.S. District Judge John McConnell said during the Thursday hearing. Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable. On November 3, the Trump administration said in a court filing that it would pay out half of Novembers benefits to SNAP recipients, tapping into a USDA contingency fund, after being ordered to distribute funds by two federal judges. A day later, Trump declared that SNAP benefits will only be restored after the shutdown. SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Bidens disastrous term in office will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before! Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this week. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the SNAP program on the federal level, said that it would not deploy a $6 billion contingency fund to cover the cost of food stamps, in contrast with a version of a shutdown funding plan that was later removed from its website. SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits, a USDA memo stated in late October. The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists. Picking up the SNAP slack The SNAP program has found itself on the chopping block as the federal shutdown drags on, but the Trump administration has found ways to keep other programs funded without court intervention. In the shutdowns early days, Trump ordered the Pentagon and the White House to use all available funds to pay active-duty members of the military, avoiding the fallout of service members going unpaid. In contrast to the fight over SNAP, the White House also chose to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC, using money collected from tariffs. The Trump White House will not allow impoverished mothers and their babies to go hungry because of the Democrats political games, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios. In many cities, food banks and restaurants are scrambling to pick up the slack from the lapsed food program. In Portland, one coffee shop raised over $300,000 to provide free meals to people who have seen their SNAP benefits dry up. Many other local businesses followed suit, offering free special meals for residents in need. The USDA has warned grocery stores offering special deals for SNAP recipients that they might be breaking the law. You must offer eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions to SNAP-EBT customers as other customers, a USDA notice confirmed by Fast Company reads. You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than any other customers.
Category:
E-Commerce
Wendys announced plans to close a “mid-single-digit percentage” of its underperforming U.S. store locations, or 200 to 350 of some 6,000 locations, during its quarterly earnings call on Friday. The news comes as the fast-food giant reports third-quarter profits of $44.3 million and $549.5 million in revenue, beating analyst expectations by 2.71%. The company’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at 24 cents, versus expectations of 20 cents. International business delivered strong system-wide sales growth, with international net unit growth expected to come in over 9% in 2025. Shares in Wendy’s Co. (NASDAQ: WEN) were up about 2% in midday trading on Friday, after Wendys stock surged 11.66% in pre-market trading. On the earnings call, Interim CEO and CFO Ken Cook said the shutterings will begin this year and continue through 2026, but did not give a list of specific locations. (Reached by Fast Company, Wendy’s declined to provide a specific number or list of locations.) Cook said Wendy’s will approach underperforming restaurants on a case-by-case basis. He explained some current restaurants “do not elevate the brand” and are “a drag from a franchisee financial performance perspective.” The goal is to address and fix those restaurants by improving operations, through additional technology or equipment. In other cases, closing the restaurant “will put money back in franchisees pockets and enable them to reinvest both capital and resources in their remaining restaurants.” The bottom line: “Closures of underperforming units are expected to boost sales and profitability at nearby locations,” Cook said. One year ago, in November 2024, Wendy’s also announced it was closing 140 “outdated” restaurants.
Category:
E-Commerce
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