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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) seeks comments regarding the development, coordination
and implementation of grant programs to support food processing, distribution,
seafood processing, farmers markets, and producers and other businesses
identified in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The legislation
directs USDA to use these grant funds to help businesses respond to
coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID-19. Comments can be submitted
through midnight ET on March 31, 2021, via online portal or by email to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov. We welcome feedback from all interested parties, and we
appreciate early response. Additional information is available on the AMS website. In addition, AMS will host a listening session to provide groups
and individuals an opportunity to share their views on how USDA can best serve
the industry through this program. All interested stakeholders are invited to
attend. Stakeholders are also invited to register to provide oral comments
during the session. Listening Session Information: The listening session
will be conducted via webinar using ZOOM. Date and Time: March 19, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET Registration: Registration will remain open until the start of the event, or
until the session is full. However, you must register by midnight ET on March
16, 2021, to provide oral comments during the listening session. After
registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the webinar. Registrants who request to speak will be contacted by a
staff member and must participate in a practice session to test audio
requirements. Speakers will be introduced by a moderator; and speaking time is
no more than three minutes. AMS will make the agenda for the session available on the
website by March 18, 2021.
To register, click here. Contact: Questions regarding the listening session can be directed to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov. Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large
print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202)
720-2600 (voice and TDD). AMS encourages comments from smaller businesses, new and
beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran
producers, and underserved communities, and/or organizations representing these
entities. AMS expects commenters writing or speaking on behalf of these
entities to engage and involve them in planning comments. Background: Sec. 751 of the COVID Stimulus Package, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides no less than $1.5B to purchase food and agricultural products, including seafood, fresh produce, dairy, and meat products, to distribute to individuals in need, including through delivery to nonprofit organizations that can receive, store, and distribute food items, and for grants and loans to small or midsized food processors or distributors, seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID–19.
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