Using Truck-to-Trunk Programs to Increase Food Security and Help Support Farm Incomes

AAEA members publish new research in AEPP

Feeding America found that at the beginning of the pandemic, 4 in 10 people visiting the food banks were first time patrons. With the increase and need of food banks, the USDA created the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. This program purchased fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meat products from producers and sent them to food banks or to other consumers through a variety of contractors.

In the new article “Using truck‐to‐trunk programs to increase food security and help support farm incomes” published in AEPP, Jeffrey Dorfman, Jared Grant, and Julian Worley from the University of Georgia look into the lessons learned from USDA’s pandemic Food Box program and how to implement similar food giveaways in the future.

Dorfman says, “To maximize the benefits of such a program, farmers should be paid for their products (helping rural economies); logistics specialists should be used to keep things running smoothly and distribute meaningful volumes of food; as much local food as possible should be used; and people who cannot afford to pay market prices for the food boxes should be able to receive them for free/reduced price.”

If you are interested in setting up an interview, please contact Allison Ware in the AAEA Business Office.

ABOUT AAEA: Established in 1910, the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) is the leading professional association for agricultural and applied economists, with 2,500 members in more than 60 countries. Members of the AAEA work in academic or government institutions as well as in industry and not-for-profit organizations, and engage in a variety of research, teaching, and outreach activities in the areas of agriculture, the environment, food, health, and international development. The AAEA publishes two journals, the American Journal of Agricultural Economics and Applied Economic Perspectives & Policy, as well as the online magazine Choices and the online open access publication series Applied Economics Teaching Resources. To learn more, visit www.aaea.org.

Contact: Allison Ware
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(414) 918-3190
Email: aware@aaea.org