The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has served as a reminder of the
critical role that the United States food and agriculture industries play in
fueling our nation and ensuring that Americans are supplied with an abundance
of safe food during this time of need. America's food and agricultural industry
is committed to helping the country get through the COVID-19 pandemic. A new
nationwide economic impact study, commissioned by 21 food and agriculture
groups and available at www.FeedingTheEconomy.com, reinforces the significance
of these industries as critical to day-to-day American life.
As Americans follow Center for Disease Control (CDC)
guidance to take precautions and practice social distancing, the 20 million
employees in the post-farm gate industry are working overtime to produce,
distribute and ensure access to high-quality food and agricultural products
during this unprecedented time. Further, the nearly 3 million people employed
at supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other establishments
are on the front lines providing for the needs of Americans.
Meanwhile, the lives of hard-working people in nearly 14.2
million jobs in establishments where food and beverages are sold for on-premise
consumption have been upended by state and local restrictions on gatherings,
events and dining.
The economic impact study released today shows that
one-fifth of the nation's economy and one-fourth of American jobs are linked to
the food and agriculture sectors, either directly or indirectly. Additionally,
the analysis broke down the food and agriculture sectors' economic impact by
state and congressional district.
Food industry experts have indicated the demand for food,
water and cleaning products over the course of recent weeks has exceeded any
previous shopping holiday season, causing retailers to experience delays
between replenishment. In a show of supply chain strength and collaboration, an
ad-hoc partnership between the International Foodservice Distributors
Association and FMI-Food Industry Association connects foodservice distributors
that have excess capacity (products, transportation services, warehousing services)
to assist food retailers and wholesalers that require additional resources to
fulfill needs at grocery stores, which are experiencing skyrocketing demand.