Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters), – On Wednesday, the Biden Administration will announce more than $2.1 Billion in funds to strengthen the country’s food supply network. These weaknesses were exposed in the COVID-19 outbreak and in the aftermath.

During a Georgetown University address, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will announce new funding. This money is designed to improve competition in food distribution and processing, expand access to healthier food and increase markets for farmers.

Vilsack stated that worker illness, as well as other disturbances, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to delays in food supply chains and log jams. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also resulted in higher food prices, which Vilsack said to Reuters before the speech.

“We need to have a stronger system to handle future disruptions like pandemics or other events,” he stated. System that offers options makes it more resilient.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (and other relief legislation), these investments include $900 Million for food processing workforce training, supply-chain infrastructure and $550,000,000 for small food business and reducing food wastage, $375 Million for urban and organic agriculture, and $370M to increase access for all to healthy food.

Vilsack stated that USDA would work closely with Congress in order to obtain longer-term funding through the upcoming farm bill, and subsequent appropriations processes.

Hearings have already begun for the 2023 farm legislation and negotiation will likely start next session. Policy advocates told Reuters that this was confirmed by Reuters. The farm bill typically gets approved every five to six years.

USDA pledged previously $775 million of technical assistance, loans, and grants to independent poultry and meat processing plants.