Legislators received an update earlier this week about COVID-19’s impact on Minnesota’s food supply from Thom Petersen, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), and Dr. Beth Thompson, executive director of the Board of Animal Health. 

 State District 27B Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), chair of the House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division, says the Legislature has been working closely with Governor Walz, MDA, and agriculture leaders to provide economic security and flexibility for farmers and producers, and to implement strict public health guidelines at processing plants in the state…

As a result of legislative action in March and April 2020, farmer-lender mediations have been extended by 60 days and farmers impacted by COVID-19 losses are now eligible to receive financial assistance from the Rural Finance Authority’s Disaster Assistance Loan Program. The Legislature also increased funding for Second Harvest Heartland to purchase and distribute milk and protein products such as pork, poultry, beef, dry legumes, cheese, and eggs and distribute them to local food shelves to help Minnesotans facing food insecurity.