Marketplace

Feeding the Family (bonus episode)

For many people gathering around the table this holiday season, things feel a little different. Maybe it’s the cost of ingredients that’s on your mind, or cuts to USDA funding that have left your food bank running low. Or maybe it’s the simple reality of a packed schedule — there’s a lot to cook, and so little time.  In this special from Marketplace, we bring listeners a collection of stories on the business and economics of food. Our reporters take us across the country to farms, home kitchens, and restaurants. We visit a refugee farmer in Houston, a chocolate-making lab in California, and stop for a bite at an award-winning restaurant in Portland.

Off-price retailers shine as consumer moods sour

TJX, the parent company of off-price retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, posted excellent earnings this week, while Target cut its sales forecast. “Off-price” means TJX sells excess inventory at a discount, which may be more attractive to increasingly stressed shoppers hunting for deals. Also in this episode: Political affiliation colors consumer sentiment, USDA cuts end a major revenue stream for small-scale farmers, and supply chains are unusually slow this holiday season. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] — and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

The long-awaited September jobs report arrives

The September jobs report finally arrived after a six-week delay, showing employers added 119,000 jobs — well above expectations. The BLS also recorded an unusually strong 80% employer response rate, the highest since 2019. Improved accuracy came as a consequence of the deferred report. Also in this episode: Food service gained 36,000 jobs, America’s brand image hit a new low, and a scholarship celebrated 20 years of supporting Latina students. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] — and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

Too little, too late?

China's purchase of 1 million tons of U.S. soybeans ends a trade war freeze. And while it's better than nothing, it's still far below typical November numbers. With no confirmation of more big shipments, and cheaper suppliers like Brazil and Argentina ready to fill in, how are U.S. farmers reacting? Plus: What to expect in September's jobs report, how the rise of gambling might change political media, and why tech giants are issuing debt to fuel expansion. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] — and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.

Rural hospitals were already short-staffed. Then came Trump's H-1B visa fee

The White House’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications is adding extra pressure to health care systems in rural and low-income areas. Historically, the visa has been a critical pipeline for skilled health workers in hard-to-staff settings. Affected hospitals are already feeling the added strain. Also in this episode: A bitcoin downturn won’t just hurt crypto bros, Panera announces an overhaul amid floundering fast-casual sales, and the EV market soldiers on, despite sunsetted tax subsidies and emissions regulations. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe [https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters] to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org [https://www.marketplace.org/] — and consider making an investment [https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment] in our future.