United Fresh and allied food and agricultural organizations are urging both President Trump and President-elect Biden to provide priority access to Covid-19 vaccines as they become available. In a letter to the President this week and discussions with the Biden transition team, the groups emphasized the critical role the industry's workers in food and agriculture have played by continuing operations and ensuring Americans have access to safe and nutritious foods.
The groups are urging a federally orchestrated vaccine distribution program and prioritization of vaccinations for critical infrastructure employees in agriculture, food processing and distribution, retail and restaurants.
"Our members have been on the front lines of the response to the pandemic by continuing operations and ensuring Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. Challenges have taxed the food supply chain over the past eight months, but the food, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail industries are resilient, and the supply chains have not broken," the letter states.
The agricultural, food manufacturing, distribution, and retail industries will continue to fulfill the “special responsibility” critical infrastructure industries carry, and we are proud that our industry’s workforce has selflessly persevered to feed America. We also look forward to partnering with the Administration to reinforce the importance and safety of vaccinations and ensuring our essential workers can access and receive vaccinations when available," the letter concludes.
To read the full letter sent to the President, click here.
For more information:
Mary Coppola
United Fresh Produce Association
Tel: +1 (202) 303-3425
Email: mcoppola@unitedfresh.org
www.unitedfresh.org