The USDA has announced that $330 million will be available under the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.  The allocation will include $170 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and $75 million for the Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.  Funds will expand the specialty crop food sector and allow for the purchase of fruits and vegetables from family-owned and small farms for low-income consumers.

According to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, “We launched USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers to respond to losses experienced by farmers”. Of the allocation, $73 million will be derived from Farm Bill funding already authorized.  The additional $97 million will be emergency funding available under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.