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The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), invites comments on the development, coordination and implementation of grant programs to support food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, and producers and other businesses identified in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and on the development, coordination and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance.

Please consider the following questions when submitting your feedback regarding food purchase programs:

• What is the definition of a small and mid-sized in your sector? (food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, producers)
• How would a business in your sector confirm their status as small or mid-sized? (number of employees, sales dollar figures, etc.) and what kinds of documents might show that status?
• Should the current food purchase program continue?  If so, what worked well and should be preserved, as well as what didn’t work well and should be redesigned?
• If this program should not continue as originally implemented, how should USDA support those experiencing nutrition insecurity and producers and distributors continuing to struggle.

Please consider the following questions when submitting your feedback regarding coronavirus response grants:

• What is the definition of a small and mid-sized in your sector? (food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, producers)
• How would a business in your sector confirm their status as small or mid-sized? (number of employees, sales dollar figures, etc.) and what kinds of documents might show that status?
• The legislation directs USDA to use these funds to help businesses organizations respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID-19. What categories of expenses or investments have been or are now necessary in your business sector to respond to coronavirus?
• What are the impediments to people applying for these grants?  What kinds of assistance or resources will they need to be able to do apply?

Provide your on-line comment here or submit written comments via email to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov by March 31, 2021.