Capital City Fruit was awarded to participate in the recently announced USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program to support Americans in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved $1.2 billion in contracts to support American producers and communities in need. Of the over 850 applicants, Capital City Fruit is the only Iowa-based company to receive an award.

Awarded suppliers will package their commodities, including fresh produce, dairy and meat products, into family-sized boxes to deliver to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need. This award allows Capital City Fruit to reach over 50,000 Americans per week with fresh produce through their 23 food bank and food pantry partners.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the program as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program developed to help farmers, ranchers and consumers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership helps national, regional and local suppliers whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses to continue operations while also helping Americans in need.

Fresh produce box deliveries began on May 19, 2020 to Capital City Fruit’s network of food bank and food pantry partners and will continue through at least June 30, 2020 per USDA program guidelines.