The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) implemented new changes to the millions of food aid boxes they are distributing to families in need across the nation. The surplus food boxes now must included a letter from President Donald Trump.
The USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed over 100 million boxes since May. It redirected groceries and fresh produce to families in need which would have gone to restaurants instead.
Organizations distributing the aid boxes have disapproved of including Trump’s letter. The mandate is speculated to have the effect of boosting the president’s image as the November election nears. Some organizations have even refused to further distribute anymore boxes.
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, director of Ohio Association of Food Banks, said, “In my 30 years of doing this work, I’ve never seen something this egregious. They are federally purchased boxes.”
The letter comes in both an English and Spanish version.
It ends with a message from Trump, indicating, “As President, safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities. As part of our response to coronavirus, I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America.”
