Commissioner Amanda Beal Urges USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to Include Maine's Food Distributors in the Farmers to Families Food Box Program

January 14, 2021

For more information contact: Jim Britt at: jim.britt@maine.gov

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is again asking U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Perdue to improve the Farmers to Families Food Box Program program. Specifically, DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal is calling on the Secretary to ensure that food boxes are distributed equitably, create fair opportunities for local vendors and producers to participate; and broaden the program's scoring criteria.

"We are again requesting that Maine-based food distributors be included in Round Five of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program contract awards," said Commissioner Beal. "Maines distributors are best equipped to coordinate with local partners and meet the needs of families relying on this food box program."

The full text of the letter can be found here.