STATE OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & FORESTRY

JANET T. MILLS
GOVERNOR

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
22 STATE HOUSE STATION
AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333

AMANDA E. BEAL
COMMISSIONER

May 21, 2020
Mr. Bruce Summers, Administrator
USDA - Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS)
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-3601
Dear Mr. Summers,
We appreciate the efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the
Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) in rolling out the new Coronavirus Food Assistance
Program (CFAP). This critical program aims to help provide direct support to farmers while
maintaining the integrity of our food supply chain and ensuring Americans have access to
healthy foods that they need.
Maine has a rich and diverse agriculture industry, comprised of producers and nonprofit service
providers and other businesses of all sizes that are interested in participating in the Farmers to
Families Food Box Program. Unfortunately, given the many logistical challenges of operating a
new program and the short turnaround for the bidding process, no Maine distributors were
selected for this program. Additionally, most of the distributors that serve Maine who were
awarded contracts will not be supplying food boxes due to either capacity or quality and food
safety concerns. We ask that the USDA strongly consider reopening the bidding process for
this fall, which will give distributors and partners in Maine adequate time to thoughtfully
develop a plan to implement this program.
Additionally, we suggest that the USDA consider enhancing flexibility of the design and
assembly of boxes to allow for local producer boxes, filled with state-produced vegetables, dairy,
and meat products that may be distributed across smaller regions throughout each state. Local
partners know first-hand how to maximize efficiency, reduce food safety issues, and streamline
labor and distribution methods. Additional flexibility of box design and assembly requirements
will allow for more state partners to participate in the program.
Like all small businesses in Maine, farmers in our state have been significantly impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic but are eager to continue to grow food for consumers. Likewise, many

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 families in Maine need extra support during this unprecedented time, and it has been projected
that food insecurity in Maine could increase by as much as 39 percent in 2020 due to COVID-19.
We are confident that the Farmers to Families Food Box Program can help provide much-needed
support for both, but only if the program can be adapted and flexibility be given to fit individual
state needs.
Thank you for your thoughtful attention to these requests. I’d be happy to discuss these matters
in further detail at your convenience.
Sincerely,

Amanda Beal
Commissioner
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry