Ag News: Farmers to Families Hit 75-million Boxes
**Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 75 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this week, President Trump announced an additional up to $1-billion will be added to the Program while the economy continues to reopen.
Perdue says each of these milestones is marked by pride and has required hours of hard work and dedication from USDA employees, farmers, ranchers, distributors and the brave volunteers of countless non-profits.
**Produce industry operations in Salinas, California, have mostly returned to normal, over a week after two wildfires threatened the region, prompting evacuations for some employees, dumping ash onto crops, and significantly worsening air quality.
Mark Shaw, vice president of operations for Salinas-based Markon Cooperative, notes air quality began getting better August 21st and further cleaned up in the following days.
**Sales of milk, cheese and other dairy products typically increase during the autumn, but, of course, this is not a typical year.
The usual, seasonal rise in fluid-milk sales to schools will be muted, as many schools maintain distance-learning protocols during the pandemic.
Marketers say some of that demand may shift to at-home consumption.
Cheese sales may also be affected due to delays or cancellations of sporting events and other gatherings.