USDA Announces Fifth Round in Farmers to Families Food Box Program

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the USDA will purchase an additional $1.5 billion worth of food for nationwide distribution through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

According to a USDA release, the program has distributed more than 132 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“This new round of Farmers to Families Food Boxes will go a long way in helping American families access nutritious and healthy meals as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the President Trump’s leadership, we have helped tens of millions of families and countless farmers with this program,” Secretary Perdue said in the release. “President Trump has committed to helping the American people recover and rebuild and this program helps American families get back on solid ground by ensuring they receive the nutritious food they need during these difficult times.” 

The additional funding for the program was included in the COVID-19 relief package as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed December 21, 2020. In this fifth round of purchases, USDA will again purchase combination boxes to ensure all involved recipient organizations have access to fresh produce, dairy products, fluid milk and meat products. Seafood products will also be included in this round.

The Farmers to Families Food Box program is part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), created in response to the pandemic. Using authority provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, USDA said it has partnered with national, regional and local distributors, whose workforces were significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase and distribute agricultural products to Americans in need.

“With over 3.3 billion meals distributed to families across this nation, I am proud to share that thanks to the Trump administration’s efforts, the Farmers to Families Food Box Program has an additional $1.5 billion to continue to feed families in need, provide employment and support our small farmers. During these unprecedented times, this Administration will continue to fight for American families and will always put them first!” says Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump.

The fourth round of the program purchased a total of $463 million worth of food. By the end of the third round on Oct. 31, USDA purchased more than $3.566 billion worth of food. In the second round, USDA purchased more than $1.781 billion of food. The first round of purchases saw more than 35.5 million boxes delivered in the first 45 days. 

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