Are Your Crops Now Eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program?
July 10, 2020 USDA has released an initial list of commodities that have been added to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and announced other adjustments based on comments received from agricultural producers and organizations and review of market data.
Producers will now be able to submit applications that include the new commodities starting Monday, July 13, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for CFAP through Aug. 28, 2020.
A sampling of some of the specialty crops added to the list include:
- Basil
- Beets
- Blackberries
- Brussels sprouts
- Collard greens
- Greens (others not listed separately)
- Kale greens
- Lettuce – including Boston, green leaf, Lolla Rossa, oak leaf green, oak leaf red, and red leaf
- Peas (green)
- Pistachios
- Fresh sugarcane
- Swiss chard
Click here for a complete list of commodities added to CFAP as listed in the Federal Register.
In addition, CARES Act funding is expanding for seven currently eligible commodities (apples, blueberries, garlic, potatoes, raspberries, tangerines, and taro) for sales losses because USDA found these commodities had a 5% or greater price decline between mid-January and mid-April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for marketing adjustments.
Other noteworthy adjustments made by USDA include:
- Determining that peaches and rhubarb no longer qualify for payment under the CARES Act sales loss category
- Correcting payment rates for apples, artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, garlic, kiwifruit, mushrooms, papaya, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, tangerines, and taro
For more information about applying for CFAP, growers can visit farmers.gov/cfap.
According to USDA, it expects additional eligible commodities to be announced in the coming weeks.
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