The Department of Agriculture Tuesday added additional commodities to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. USDA also extended the deadline to September 11 for producers to apply for the program, a request by agriculture organizations.
The changes follow USDA review of more than 1,700 responses from the public. The announcement expands the types of specialty crops covered under the program, as well as liquid eggs, frozen eggs and all sheep, and aquaculture and horticulture products.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the announcement shows, "President Trump is standing with America's farmers and ranchers to ensure they get through this pandemic."
USDA says the changes will give more farmers and ranchers the opportunity for assistance to help keep operations afloat. Farm groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, requested the changes in a recent letter to Secretary Perdue.
The coalition cited the low number of participants and that roughly half of the near $16 billion of aid is still available. USDA also extended the application deadline to September 11th.