The Biden administration has reportedly announced a new $2.1 billion package to bridge gaps in the nation's food supply system, which has been left exposed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Tom Vilsack, U.S. Agriculture Secretary, during a speech at Georgetown University, unveiled the novel funding, specifically designed to boost competition in food distribution and processing, improve access to nutritious food, while also expanding the market farmers.
As per Vilsack, during the COVID-19 outbreak, worker illness, along with other downturns, caused setbacks and bottlenecks in the food supply chain, and Russia's invasion has resulted in increased prices for agricultural inputs as well as food products. These are all signs that the US food system needs some much needed strengthening.
Vilsack added that is it imperative to have a more robust system to deal with future disruptions, be it a future pandemic or anything else, and a system that has options is a more robust system.
The investments would include a $900 million package for food processing employee training as well as supply-chain infrastructure. The package would also include a $550 million support to reduce food waste and help out small food firms, over $375 million for urban and organic agriculture projects, along with $370 million to increase public access to healthy food.
Vilsack stated that the USDA and Congress will work alongside to secure longer-term funding for both expanded and new programs through the impending farm bill as well as the upcoming appropriations process.
The 2023 farm bill hearing has already begun, and policy advocates have stated that negotiations will probably begin in earnest in the following session. Generally, the farm bill is passed every five years.
Previously, the USDA has pledged $775 million in loans, technical support, as well as grants for independent poultry and meat processing plants.
Source credit: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-administration-announce-21-billion-strengthen-food-system-2022-06-01/
