Trump Administration Announces $19 Billion in Aid to Farmers
The Trump administration announced on Friday that it would be providing $19 billion in aid to farmers as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) as American farmers deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The American food supply chain had to adapt, and it remains safe, secure, and strong, and we all know that starts with America’s farmers and ranchers,” Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said on Friday evening. “This program will not only provide immediate relief for our farmers and ranchers, but it will also allow for the purchase and distribution of our agricultural abundance to help our fellow Americans in need.”
Most of the money — $16 billion — will be used in direct support to agricultural producers to help them with adjustment and marketing costs from lost demand and short-term oversupply brought about by the pandemic. The remaining $3 billion will be used by the USDA to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat. It will be distributed to “food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need,” according to the USDA’s press release.
Part of the money will be coming from the coronavirus stimulus package (the CARES Act), which set $9.5 billion aside for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help livestock, fruit, and vegetable farmers. (Read more from “Trump Administration Announces $19 Billion in Aid to Farmers” HERE)
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