The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has sent a letter to US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of the the Farmers to Families Food Box program with recommended changes.
NASDA CEO Barb Glenn says state ag directors, secretaries, and commissioners have heard from farmers and ranchers that adjustments are needed to improve the program’s effectiveness.
As the USDA reviews the program, NASDA is asking the department to provide vendors two to three weeks between awarding the contract and the start of the performance period, remove county restrictions, and increase participation of socially disadvantaged and BIPOC farmers and vendors.
