Trump's Food Aid Program Gives Little Funding to the Northeast, Where Coronavirus Hit Hardest

[turbinetree]

New York and New England have the most COVID-19 cases but received the second-lowest funding of any region. Maine can’t get any shipments because none of the selected contractors serve the state.

By Isaac Arnsdorf
|
May 26, 2020 9:59 a.m.

President Donald Trump’s signature food aid program is sending less relief to New York and New England than other parts of the country, even though the Northeast has the most coronavirus cases. Some states — Maine and Alaska at least — have been left out completely so far.

The regional imbalances are an unintended side effect of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s strategy in hiring private contractors to distribute food, the agency said. It is now looking for ways to reach areas that were passed over.

“USDA is evaluating how we might expand access to the program in areas that are underserved,” the agency said in a statement.

Out of $1.2 billion in the program’s first round, just $46 million is going to the Northeast. The region, which encompasses New York and New England, has the most coronavirus cases but received the least money of any region except the Mountain Plains, which has almost half as many people.

Beena Raghavendran contributed reporting.

Update, May 22, 2020: This article was updated to add a letter from three House Democrats to the USDA.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trumps-food-aid-program-gives-little-funding-to-the-northeast-where-coronavirus-hit-hardest

And the MF goes out golfing.................