Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Pt 1

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I’m Bob Larson. President Trump and the USDA announced details Tuesday on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program that includes $16-billion in direct support for the nation’s food producers, with payments limited to $250,000 per person.

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says it’s a good start …

QUARLES … “We knew early on that this was going to be a down payment on what the industry really needed. Congress and the administration worked quickly to get resources out, but you know, two months ago no one really had their arms entirely around how big this crisis is. And, I’m still not entirely sure that we completely understand how big the crisis is.”

Bottom line, Quarles says more will be needed …

QUARLES … “We’re now certain that the initial round just wasn’t enough, and so as much as we appreciate all the work that has been done by USDA over the past couple of months, I think it’s pretty clear we’re going to need substantially more resources both for direct payments for growers as well as surplus commodity buys to get this product that’s all clogged up in the pipeline out so supply and demand can start to balance.”

CFAP applications will be accepted starting Monday, but how much will go to the potato industry, Quarles says …

QUARLES … “How much actually goes to the potato industry will depend on how many producers actually sign up.”

Go to www.farmers.gov/cfap for more information.

Listen tomorrow for more.

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