In a news release from December 27, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) assured their business partners that AMS expects the Federal government shutdown to have minimal impact on most commodity procurement activities.
Many employees of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Food Distribution Division staff will not be able to work due to the lapse in appropriations. However, AMS remains in contact with essential FNS staff as well as State contacts, should any delivery issues arise during this time.
AMS expects suppliers and contractors to continue to produce and deliver as required under current contracts for both domestic and international food assistance programs on previously awarded contracts. Contract payments may be not be made until the office that issues payments has reopened. This may lead to a few payment delays should the shutdown be prolonged, but USDA will pay interest on any invoices affected by the shutdown.
