Farmers and ranchers are getting a $16 billion boost from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program announced Tuesday by President Donald Trump.
The $19 billion program also will provide $3 billion to feed needy families and "$16 billion is going directly to farmers and ranchers" for coronavirus shutdown-related losses, Trump told reporters at the White House, The Washington Times reported.
"You remind us once again that the American farmer is the backbone of our country," Trump said.
The meat packing industry has suffered from shutdowns due to sporadic COVID-19 outbreaks and closed restaurants have not been buying meat and produce, leaving farmers to hold the bags. President Trump said 40% of vegetables and beef go to restaurants around the U.S. that have been shuttered by state-by-state shutdowns and orders.
Pork producers noted $10 million pigs might need to be euthanized by September, according to the report.
Farmers will be able to apply for the funding starting May 26.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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