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Perdue: Food supply is safe, supply chain adjusting

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue addressed the food supply issues caused by the coronavirus supply chain disruptions during President Trump’s Wednesday update. Perdue says, “COVID-19 is impacting food processing facilities as you know. For Americans who may be worried about access to good food because of this, I want to assure you the American food supply is strong, resilient, and safe.”

Perdue told reporters on the White House lawn the agricultural food supply chain has shown amazing agility to move product from foodservice and institutional settings to retail outlets.  He says the bare shelves people see are a demand issue, not a supply issue.  Perdue compared the food demand shift to a traffic accident. “You might think of it as an Interstate when it’s flowing along well and you have a crash at one place. It backs up, and that’s what’s happening in the food supply chain but we’re working through that.”

The Secretary thanked the people along the supply chain for keeping America supplied with safe, quality food. “These dedicated workers include obviously farmers and producers, but also processors, truckers, and grocery store workers as you know.”

President Trump says the administration will conference with Governors Thursday and he plans to announce plans to help states reopen their economies in areas at low risk for additional COVID-19 cases. 

Trump also warned Congress he would use his recess authority if necessary to put more than 100 appointments in place including judges and a USDA Under Secretary.