The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking comments on a food distribution program intended to provide aid to non-profits serving individuals and families needing nutritional assistance.
An AMS release noted, “If implemented, the program will serve as a successor to the temporary food box purchase program created in April 2020 in response to the rapidly developing crisis within the food supply chain and increased joblessness due to COVID-19. While the food box effort served some communities well, it faced challenges in others.”
Comments can be submitted through midnight ET on March 31 via online portal or by email to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov.
“We welcome feedback from all interested parties, and we appreciate early response. Additional information is available on the AMS website,” the release said.
As with the grant program comment solicitation, AMS will also host an additional listening session to provide groups and individuals an opportunity to share their views on “how USDA can best serve people in need of food assistance as well as the industry through this program. All interested stakeholders are invited to attend. Stakeholders are also invited to register to provide oral comments during the session,” the release said. The Zoom webinar will be held from 2-5 p.m. ET on March 22.
“Registration will remain open until the start of the event, or until the session is full. However, you must register by midnight ET on March 17, 2021, to provide oral comments during the listening session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Registrants who request to speak will be contacted by a staff member and must participate in a practice session to test audio requirements. Speakers will be introduced by a moderator; and speaking time is no more than three minutes. AMS will make the agenda for the session available on the website by March 19, 2021,” the release said.
