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NASDA urges USDA to improve the Farmers to Families Food Box Program

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has sent a letter to US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of 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.

NASDA members recently approved policy to address food insecurity during its Winter Policy Meeting.

President Ryan Quarles says…”making sure that we do our part to address food insecurity whether it be with reducing food waste and also advocating for some tweaks to Farmers to Families Food Box program.”

Other recommendations in the letter are to remove restrictions that limit products to only pre-cooked meats, consider the impact on smaller farms and distributors when contracts are awarded to vendors solely on having a lower price, give preference to vendors who previously participated in the program based on contract performance, and provide vendors greater flexibility in curating food boxes.

Glenn says the recommendations will encourage and increase participation of local farmers and vendors and ensure USDA can make a greater difference in local communities.