Food Program Purchase Listening Session

Start Date
03-22-2021 10:00 am
End Date
03-22-2021 10:00 pm

Date and Time: March 22, 2021 from 10 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET

The listening session will be conducted via webinar using ZOOM to provide groups and individuals an opportunity to share their views on how USDA can best serve people in need of food assistance and the industry regarding the development, coordination and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance. If implemented, it will serve as a successor to the temporary food box purchase program created in April 2020 in response to the rapidly developing crisis within the food supply chain and increased joblessness due to COVID-19. this program. All interested stakeholders are invited to attend. Stakeholders are also invited to provide oral comments during the sessions.

Please consider the following questions when submitting your feedback regarding food purchase programs:

  • What is the definition of a small and mid-sized in your sector? (food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, producers)
  • How would a business in your sector confirm their status as small or mid-sized? (number of employees, sales dollar figures, etc.) and what kinds of documents might show that status?
  • Should the current food purchase program continue?  If so, what worked well and should be preserved, as well as what didn’t work well and should be redesigned?
  • If this program should not continue as originally implemented, how should USDA support those experiencing nutrition insecurity and producers and distributors continuing to struggle.

Registration: Registration will remain open until the start of the event, or until the session is full. However, you must register by midnight ET on March 17, 2021, to provide oral comments during the listening session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Registrants who request to speak will be contacted by a staff member and must participate in a practice session to test audio requirements. Speakers will be introduced by a moderator; and speaking time is no more than three minutes.

These sessions are not intended for media.  All statements made during these sessions are not made for attribution.

AMS will make the agenda for the session available on the website by March 19, 2021.

AMS encourages comments from smaller businesses, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities, and/or organizations representing these entities. AMS expects commenters writing or speaking on behalf of these entities to engage and involve them in planning comments.

Contact: Questions regarding the listening session can be directed to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).