COVID-19

Applications accepted for Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program

The USDA announced Nov. 11 that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021. The program will provide $665 million to fund competitive... more »

Application period opens for Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

The USDA announced Oct. 14 a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant... more »

USDA sets Oct. 12 deadline for CFAP 2 applications, modifications

USDA is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced... more »

Fresh produce reaches highest year-on-year gain since March 2021

The multi-month normalization of grocery shopping patterns came to a halt in August. “Since January 2021, we had been seeing the share of meals prepared at home decrease a little each month,” said Jonna Parker,... more »

USApple: Many apple businesses omitted from COVID-19 assistance program

Many U.S. apple businesses won’t qualify for critical COVID-relief assistance that was announced Sept. 9 by USDA, said the U.S. Apple Association. The $700 million Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program is intended to... more »

Ag employers’ group offers new chance to vaccinate California farmworkers

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) announced Sept. 9 that the council’s ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has resulted in another new opportunity to protect farmworkers from COVID-19. “Earlier this... more »

USDA invests $700M for farm and food workers impacted by COVID-19

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Sept. 7 that $700 million in competitive grant funding will be available through the new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program to help farmworkers and meatpacking workers with... more »

Michigan ag department continues migrant housing emergency rules

On Aug. 31, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell issued a continuation of the Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency rules through the end of the 2021... more »

USDA updates pandemic assistance for specialty crop growers, others

The USDA is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who... more »

USDA gives $3.4M for another round of produce box contracts

The USDA released the contract recipients for another round of Emergency Food Assistance Program produce box program Aug. 16. A total of $3,419,049 will pay for 436,229 boxes to be delivered from October 1 to... more »