COVID-19

$330M in specialty crops grants, incentives to purchase produce set

The USDA announced April 13 the availability of more than $330 million to help agricultural producers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is... more »

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program reopened by USDA

The USDA Farm Service Agency announced its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 signup is reopened as of April 5, as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Farmers and ranchers will have at least... more »

30 recommendations presented that would help guide a new food box program

United Fresh Produce Association’s Produce Box Working Group on March 31 presented USDA with a set of 30 recommendations that would help guide a new program around produce food boxes. Release of the recommendations is in... more »

USDA establishing new programs, efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced March 24 that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. [caption id="" align="alignright"... more »

Fresh produce sales added $483M versus comparable period in 2020

“In December, we saw consumers moving around much more than any other month during the pandemic,” said Jonna Parker, Team Lead Fresh for IRI. “But come February, trips and basket size trends moved back to... more »

PPP loans also available to self-employed farmers

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created in the CARES Act in 2020 to provide forgivable loans to small businesses, including farms. Much has been made of the provisions that focus on payroll expenses. However,... more »

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has provisions for ag, Farm Bureau notes

In early March the Senate passed, on a party-line vote, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The legislation goes back to the House – likely this week – before... more »

Comments sought for potential successor to food box purchase program

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service seeks comments on the development, coordination and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance. If... more »

Michigan’s food, ag workers encouraged to register to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Michigan’s food processing and agricultural workers are encouraged to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination appointment as eligibility expands to Michiganders working in the food and agriculture sector. "Throughout the pandemic, Michigan’s food and agriculture... more »

Michigan ag director issues emergency rules to protect agricultural workers

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell issued on March 2 Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency Rules. The rules require licensed housing providers to create and implement... more »