$670 Million Awarded by USDA to Farm, Meatpacking and Grocery Workers for their ‘Essential Role’ in U.S. Food Systems During Pandemic

USDA says the organizations were selected for their proven track records working with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery workers. The funds amount to $600 per person and will be dispersed in the fall.

“We’re not going to negotiate on this,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre reiterated to reporters Tuesday, insisting that the debt limit will be raised “without conditions.”
“We’re not going to negotiate on this,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre reiterated to reporters Tuesday, insisting that the debt limit will be raised “without conditions.”
(Farm Journal)

USDA announced 15 groups will get $670 million in funds to farm and meatpacking workers that were negatively impacted during the pandemic, incurring expenses via the outbreak as they were deemed essential workers.

The funds would amount to $600 per person and start in the fall, USDA said. $20 million was also earmarked for a pilot program that would recognize the efforts of grocery workers.

The aim is to defray some of the costs incurred by workers relative to personal protective equipment, child care, and expenses for testing and quarantining.

Farm/meatpacking and grocery worker pilot program grant recipients:

“Please note that payments are not yet available and each organization may have application periods that begin at different times,” said USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

However, according to the announcement, these workers should be given the money from their organizations this fall.

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