PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 18, 2020
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday, is intended to stabilize the country’s food producers as they weather the pandemic’s effects. The department will provide $16 billion in direct aid to producers to offset losses created by lost demand and short-term oversupply during the pandemic. It will also purchase $3 billion worth of products to distribute through food banks, faith-based groups and nonprofit organizations that are serving Americans in need. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to make sure small farmers and local food economies like Maine’s received support through the program.