House Ag Committee approves $16 billion food and nutrition portion of proposed stimulus package

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House Ag Committee approves $16 billion food and nutrition portion of proposed stimulus package

The House Ag Committee has voted in favor of the food and nutrition title included in the proposed $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package.

The legislation includes just over $16 billion in support for farmers, rural communities, and food insecure Americans.

During the mark up, Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois pledged her support for the passage.

“This coronavirus relief legislation will deliver desperately needed relief to our growers and producers while also providing food security to the 1 in 5 children in our nation who are experiencing hunger as a result of the pandemic.”       

She highlights portions of the bill directly benefitting farmers and food workers.

“The nearly $4 billion in agricultural assistance in this bill, including commodity purchases, will give farmers relief from market disruptions and uncertainty, while also providing funding for small- and mid-sized meat and poultry processors to protect workers with Personal Protective Equipment and social distancing. “

The title also includes a 15% boost in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through September, distribute COVID-19 vaccines to rural health care workers and provide farm loan assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers.

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says he is encouraged by the significant progress made by the committee and urges the full chamber to pass it quickly.

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