The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the Farmers to Families Food Box Program through the end of October with an additional $1 billion in funding.

Eggs and egg products are now eligible for inclusion in boxes.

The program devised by USDA Secretary Dr. Sonny Perdue was originally authorized at $3 billion to be expended from mid-May through the end of August.  The first round of distribution from mid-May to the end of June achieved distribution of 36 million food boxes with an additional 35 million from July 1st to August 24th.

Boxes of fresh produce, dairy and meat have been distributed through 10,000 food banks and non-profit organizations.  This has alleviated hunger and created jobs through the entire food chain. 

The program has however come under criticism from Democratic members of the House based on questions of transparency, selection of contractors and record keeping.  It must however be remembered that this was an emergency program implemented in response to a pressing need to address hunger among lower income demographics. The program has created a channel to distribute vegetables and agricultural products that would otherwise have been wasted.