USDA to Open Round 2 of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Posted on Sep 18, 2020 in Main

Sept 18, 2020

The second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will be accepting applications beginning Sept. 21 thru the Farm Service Agency (FSA). CFAP2, with an additional $14 billion infused into the program, will be available for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.

This program provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Producers will be compensated for ongoing market disruptions and assisted with the associated marketing costs.

The good news for Hawaii producers in this round is that it has added coffee, macadamia nuts, vanilla, ginger, tea, moringa, basil and watercress among others, to the eligible list of crops.

Producers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages with the team at the FSA county office. Language translation assistance is also available at that phone number.

As with all aid programs, producers are encouraged to file as soon as possible.  The program runs thru Dec. 11, 2020.

See the FSA announcement for more information: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap?utm_source=fsareferral…

See the Frequently Asked Questions page at: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/faq

To view and download contact information for Hawaii State FSA Service Centers, go to: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FSA-Contacts.pdf