USDA Food Assistance and Food Boxes Update: How to Apply, and Why Food Box Program Awards Are Under Scrutiny
May 15, 2020 Note: This story was updated on Friday, May 15.
USDA recently approved $1.2 billion in contracts through its Farmers to Families Food Box Program in a continued response to the coronavirus crisis. While the move is positive, it’s not without some controversy.
“We were pleased to see the abundance of interest from both food distributors and non-profit organizations,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in a prepared news release. “Within days, the Farmers to Families Food Box Program will begin distributing surplus food, while safeguarding food safety techniques, to communities across the country where it’s needed most.”
Gotham Greens is among the recipients. Click here to see a full list of approved suppliers by region.
United Fresh Pushes Back
After hearing from qualified growers, processors, and other food industry operations who did not receive a contract, United Fresh Produce Association sent an open letter to Bruce Summers, who is the Administrator of Agricultural Marketing Service, the USDA division awarding the contracts.
“This is not ‘sour grapes’ from those that may not have been awarded; this is a genuine effort to ensure integrity and confidence in the program and that fresh produce actually gets to those in need in an efficient and cost-effective way,” United Fresh’s President and CEO Tom Stenzel wrote in the letter.
To continue reading and to see more of the letter, visit GrowingProduce.com.
(May 15 Update: How to Apply for the Food Assistance Program)
USDA hosted a webinar on May 14 that briefly offered information on how produce growers who have been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Click here for details on how you can prepare, and to watch a recording of the webinar. While the application process has not started, you can start gathering/understanding your farm’s recent sales and inventory. Your local Farm Service Agency staff will work with you to apply for the program.
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