NYFB President David Fisher has sent a letter to U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make the case for federal assistance
which spells out a number of ways USDA can help a diverse range of farms in New
York weather the storm that is affecting millions of small businesses. This
would help offset the fact that most farms may not meet the traditional
eligibility requirements for Small Business Administration programs. At a time
when food security is of utmost importance, we must do everything we can to
keep farmers in business during this most challenging time.
The letter from President Fisher reads in part, “While no
one could have predicted the extent of this virus on the country or its food
supply, the impacts have been real and unprecedented for America’s farmers,
including those in New York. Not only have farmers experienced the loss of
markets, dumping of products, and labor disruptions, also there remains
uncertainty of when they may see any type of recovery.”
In addition to direct payments, some additional requests
include:
•USDA should immediately make purchases of dairy products
including but not limited to fluid milk, butter, cheeses and dry milk powders.
Additional support could be provided through export assistance programs and
direct commodity support.
•The creation of a voucher program for people in need through
the Milk Donation Program, as authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill, to
facilitate the distribution of donated milk through grocery stores and other
venues since some food banks and food pantries often do not have enough cold
storage to accept large quantities of highly perishable products.
•With the steep decline in purchases in the food service
sector, USDA should consider developing a purchase program that would quickly
provide stability to all impacted fresh produce growers through the duration of
the COVID-19 public health emergency.
•Provisions should be made for livestock, equine,
horticulture, craft distilleries, maple producers and more who are facing
closures and a significant loss of business.
