February 11, 2021 - WASHINGTON — This week, Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10) voted to pass the Agriculture and Nutrition Title of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Reconciliation out of the House Agriculture Committee. The package includes funds to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect workers from COVID-19. It also includes funds for purchasing and distributing of agricultural commodities, support for farmers including minority farmers, emergency grants for rural health providers, and continued increases in the SNAP program.

“Central Valley farmers and farmworkers need our help right now. They’ve kept our families fed through the pandemic and we have to have their backs. said Rep. Harder. “I was glad to vote for a package that includes grants and loans for our farmers to keep themselves and their workers safe, backup for our underfunded and understaffed health care centers, and support for those struggling to find their next meal. We’re not across the finish line yet, but today was a step in the right direction.”

The package provides $3.6 billion to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for purchasing and distributing food and agricultural commodities, making grants and loans to small and midsized farmers, farmers markets, food processors, and distributors to respond to and protect workers from COVID-19. It includes $500 million in emergency grants specifically set out to help rural health care providers like those in the Valley. It also continues the 15% increase in SNAP benefits through September 2021 and provides additional funding to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to ensure our kids, families, and seniors have continued access to affordable and nutritional food.
Source: Congressman Josh Harder