Pre-Solicitation Announcement for Cares Act TEFAP Purchase Plan
he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase approximately $400 million in produce, beef, pork, poultry, fish, and dairy products for distribution to outlets within The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Purchases will be made under the authority of the CARES Act, with the purpose of supporting the emergency food network so states, food banks and local organizations can reliably serve their communities.
Offers may be solicited in the following forms:
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PRODUCTS Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant ProgramThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Grant Program awarded approximately $670 million to fourteen nonprofit organizations and one Tribal entity to issue one-time $600 relief payments to eligible farm and food workers. The program is funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 funds. The full list of grant recipients is published at: FFWR description of funded projects (pdf). Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety (SPRS) Block Grant ProgramThe Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety (SPRS) Block Grant Program provides grants to eligible state agencies and territories to support seafood processors, including at-sea processing vessels, to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID-19. State agencies within select coastal States and American Samoa are eligible to apply directly to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for grant funds. Pandemic Response and Safety GrantsProgram Updates
Program Overview USDA Revises U.S. Standards for WatermelonThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the U.S. Standards for Watermelon to provide a common language for trade. Revision of United States Standards for Grades of WatermelonsDocket Number: AMS–SC–20–0096 Summary The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons. Changes will provide a common language for trade of watermelons. Contact Exceptions to Geographic BoundariesDocket Number: AMS–FGIS–19–0062 Summary Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance ProgramIn the first round of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program, USDA distributed over $250 million in pandemic assistance payments to more than 25,000 eligible dairy farmers who received a lower value due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic and ensuing Federal policies. The first round of payments were made on production up to 5 million pounds. USDA will now make PMVAP payments to eligible dairy farmers for fluid milk sales between 5 million and 9 million pounds from July through December 2020. USDA Seeks Comments on a Proposed Rule Allowing Exceptions to Geographic Boundaries for Some Grain InspectionsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Grain Inspection Service today announced that it is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the Federal Grain Inspection regulations. AMS is required to revise the regulations as a result of 2018 Farm Bill amendments to the U.S. Grain Standards Act. |