AmericanHort Applauds Inclusion of Horticulture in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – AmericanHort released the following statement after USDA announced expanded eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

“AmericanHort extends our sincere appreciation to the USDA for working with us to provide meaningful nursery and floriculture grower relief,” said Craig Regelbrugge, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations. “For countless horticultural producers, the effects of the coronavirus’ sudden closure of markets during our peak selling season risked destroying businesses across the supply chain. We are happy to report Secretary Sonny Perdue and Under Secretary Bill Northey responded with understanding to help the industry successfully navigate the pandemic by expanding eligibility to this program.”

The program, funded through the CARES Act and the Commodity Credit Corporation, provides direct assistance payments to eligible commodities for which significant losses occurred due to pandemic-related market disruption. Nursery and floriculture crops are now eligible for relief. USDA also extended the application deadline to ‪September 11. Application is through your local Farm Service Agency office; details can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Nursery-specific details can be found at farmers.gov/cfap/nursery.