hawaii covid relief not coffee farmers

HAWAII COFFEE FARMERS WITH NO FEDERAL AID

Hawaii’s congressional delegation has continually asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand its COVID-19 relief programme to include coffee farmers. Still, the state’s roughly $50 million coffee industry is on hold.

The $16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Programme, funded through the CARES Act, provides money to farmers that have seen a 5% or more significant reduction in yield.

According to the Hawaii Coffee Industry’s website producers of wool, livestock, dairy and crops such as carrots, apples, and potatoes are eligible for the programme. Coffee farmers are not, despite being the second most valuable commodity produced in the state.

The state’s coffee harvest season is expected to begin in August. Lou Daniele, the head of the Kau Coffee Mill, said he’s still sitting on $1.2 million worth of coffee he bought in 2019.

Coffee is the second most valuable crop in the State of Hawaii. There was help for farmers growing papayas, guavas, and Brussels sprouts but not coffee.

Lou Daniele, the head of the Kau Coffee Mill

Lou Daniele questioned how he would be able to pay farmers without federal aid if he can’t even move the crops he bought a year ago.

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