Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association
Farmers Encouraged to Visit Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Website
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who have suffered losses during the 2020 marketing year due to COVID-19.
About the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance program on April 17, 2020. CFAP will use funding and authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and other USDA existing authorities. This $19 billion immediate relief program will provide critical direct support to our farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensure every American continues to have access to the food they need.
Direct Support to Farmers and Ranchers
CFAP will provide $16 billion in direct support to agricultural producers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Direct support for farmers and ranchers available via CFAP will include:
CFAP will provide direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted.
CFAP will assist producers with additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19.
USDA evaluated commodity specific losses occurring during the January to April time frame for immediate assistance. In addition, near-term adjustment costs and supply disruptions over the next few months were also evaluated to the extent possible for sectors where prices have declined significantly for additional assistance.
CFAP is available to farmers regardless of size and market outlet, if they suffered an eligible loss. We know that the disruption to markets and demand is significant and these payments will only cover a portion of the impacts on farmers and ranchers.
USDA will announce more details related to CFAP soon.
CFAP’s Food Box Distribution Program
Beyond direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA will partner with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat. This will begin with the procurement of an estimated $100 million per month in fresh fruits and vegetables, $100 million per month in a variety of dairy products, and $100 million per month in meat products. The distributors and wholesalers will then provide a pre-approved box of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.
USDA will soon begin taking applications for CFAP. As part of applying for the program, you’ll need to contact the Farm Service Agency county office at your local USDA Service Center to schedule an appointment.
Your local FSA staff will work with you to apply for the program, and through forms that will ask for the following information:
Contact
Personal, including your Tax Identification Number
Farming operating structure
Adjusted Gross Income to ensure eligibility
Direct deposit to enable payment processing
Please do not send any personal information to USDA without first initiating contact through a phone call. We take your privacy and security of your information very seriously. You can find contact information for your local USDA Service Center at the bottom of the page.
In addition to the application form, our staff will work with you to complete portions of the CCC-902 – Farm Operating Plan – if necessary. Additionally, the following forms will be needed for CFAP; if you are an existing customer, this information is likely on file at your local Service Center.
CCC-901 (Also Available in Spanish) – Identifies members of a farm or ranch that is a legal entity. Member Information will be completed by legal entities and joint operations to collect the following:
1) member names, addresses, and Tax Identification Numbers
CCC-942 – If applicable, this certification reports income from farming, ranching, and forestry, for those exceeding the adjusted gross income limitation.
SF-3881 – Collects your banking information to allow USDA to make payments to you via direct deposit.
What Can You Do Now?
While the application process has not started, you can start gathering/understanding your farm’s recent sales and inventory.
FSA has streamlined the signup process to not require an acreage report at the time of application and a USDA farm number may not be immediately needed.
How Will USDA Accept Applications?
USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only. Once the application period opens, please call your FSA county office to schedule an appointment.
Our staff are working with our agricultural producers by phone and using email, fax, mail, and online tools like Box to accept applications.
New to Working with the Farm Service Agency?
FSA has county offices located at USDA Service Centers across the country. Click here to find your local USDA Service Center.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions: These include recent questions that we have received from producers. They were last updated on May 14, 2020.
Stakeholder Toolkit: USDA encourages producers and agricultural groups to share information with those in their network. This toolkit includes an article, an infographic, and social media posts.
CFAP Prepare Now Infographic: This infographic shares what producers can do now to prepare for applying for CFAP.
CFAP Introductory Webinar: This webinar hosted by USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Agricultural Marketing Service provides basic information on how producers can prepare for the upcoming signup for CFAP.
CFAP’s Food Box Distribution Program
Beyond direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA will partner with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat. This will begin with the procurement of an estimated $100 million per month in fresh fruits and vegetables, $100 million per month in a variety of dairy products, and $100 million per month in meat products. The distributors and wholesalers will then provide a pre-approved box of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.
In addition to CFAP, USDA has other programs and services available to farmers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
