Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 8/10/20

Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee are asking USDA to step up efforts to reimburse specialty crop producers, like growers of fruits, nuts and vegetables, for their financial losses stemming from supply chain disruptions during the pandemic.

In a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue, the members led by Del. Stacey Plaskett (V.I.) said the department’s direct payment program “has failed to provide equitable relief to the specialty crop sector,” which has taken in less than $270 million in aid so far. By comparison, livestock producers have received $3.4 billion and farmers of row crops like corn and soybeans have taken in nearly $1.8 billion.

“These funds have been particularly difficult to access for specialty crop farmers who are young, socially disadvantaged or rely on local markets with diversified production practices,” the Democrats wrote.

Small farmers also struggling: NBC News reports that the first $5.6 billion of direct payments favored larger farms and sent money to foreign-owned operations, while some small farmers have struggled to access the stimulus program. The top 10 percent of recipients received more than 60 percent of the initial money, according to the report.