UNITED STATES - We first reported on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in April as part of its $19 billion plan for ag relief. In a recent report from the United Fresh Produce Association, it noted that the USDA is now expanding the list of specialty crop products eligible for disaster assistance under CFAP. Industry association partners have strongly advocated for a further expansion for eligible products under CFAP since the program’s inception, and this is the second adjustment to eligible commodities under the program. In addition, USDA is extending the application sign up period to September 11, 2020, for products that are covered under the CFAP payments.

“CFAP has provided important relief to fresh produce growers across the country who produce a diverse range of produce that have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel. “We are grateful to USDA for expanding this program and look forward to continue working with them to support growers whose produce is not covered under this further expansion of covered specialty crops.”

The list of additional products include: aloe leaves, bananas, batatas, bok choy, carambola (star fruit), cherimoya, chervil (French parsley), citron, curry leaves, daikon, dates, dill, donqua (winter melon), dragon fruit (red pitaya), endive, escarole, filberts, frisee, horseradish, kohlrabi, kumquats, leeks, mamey sapote, maple sap (for maple syrup), mesculin mix, microgreens, nectarines, parsley, persimmons, plantains, pomegranates, pummelos, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, tangelos, turnips/celeriac, turmeric, upland/winter cress, water cress, yautia/malanga, and yuca/cassava.

Additionally, USDA has added seven commodities, onions (green), pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts, and watermelons, to the list of products that are eligible for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act funding for sales losses (Category 1). Originally, these commodities were only eligible for direct payments that were based on marketing adjustments, according to the press release. The announcement also adjusts payment rates for those commodities.

As our industry continues to battle for fresh produce protection amongst these challenging times, keep coming back to reports from AndNowUKnow.

U.S. Department of Agriculture United Fresh Produce Association