Potato Industry Says Specialty Aid Falls Short

The National Potato Council is welcoming USDA’s latest round of specialty crop assistance, but industry leaders say the funding does not go far enough to meet the financial challenges facing growers. CEO Kam Quarles said the agency lacks the resources needed to fully address ongoing cost pressures and market volatility impacting potato producers nationwide. With specialty crops competing for a limited pool of funding that also includes sugar and other commodities, Quarles said the current $1 billion allocation is spread too thin.