Biden administration announces $2.1 billion to strengthen food system

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack speaks for the duration of a online video convention with farmers, ranchers and meat processors held by U.S. President Joe Biden from an auditorium on the White Property campus in Washington, U.S. January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) – The Biden administration introduced on Wednesday far more than $2.1 billion in funding to shore up weaknesses in the country’s foodstuff supply program uncovered through the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Near-record food stuff price ranges have challenged governments all over the world, and the Biden administration’s managing of inflation is a major worry for voters in advance of midterm elections in November.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the new funding, intended to enrich level of competition in foods processing and distribution, boost entry to healthier food items, and increase marketplaces for farmers, all through a speech at Georgetown University.

Worker disease and other disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic brought about delays and log jams in the food supply chain, and Russia’s invasion has led to bigger charges for agricultural inputs and foodstuff merchandise, indications that the U.S. food financial state requires to be manufactured extra robust, Vilsack instructed Reuters ahead of the speech.

“In get for us to be equipped to offer with long run disruptions, whether long term pandemics or a thing else, we want a more resilient procedure,” he said. “A much more resilient system is a method that has options.”

The investments, drawn from the American Rescue Strategy Act and other aid laws, involve $900 million for meals processing workforce teaching and provide-chain infrastructure, $550 million for modest meals firms and cutting down food stuff squander, $375 million for organic and urban agriculture initiatives, and $370 million to boost community accessibility to healthier meals.

USDA will use $400 million of the cash to establish regional foodstuff business enterprise centers that will present complex support to tiny and midsize meals and farm companies, the company mentioned.

Vilsack explained to Reuters that USDA will work with Congress to protected more time-time period funding for new and expanded plans through the forthcoming farm bill and the up coming appropriations course of action.

Hearings for the 2023 farm monthly bill are by now less than way and negotiations will most likely start off in earnest future session, policy advocates have told Reuters. The farm bill is typically handed just about every 5 decades.

USDA has beforehand pledged $775 million in specialized help, financial loans and grants for impartial meat and poultry processing crops.

Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington
Enhancing by Matthew Lewis

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