March 2, 2021 — U.S. foodservice industry groups celebrated after the House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan Act – U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposed USD 1.9 trillion (EUR 1.6 trillion) COVID-19 relief plan – in the early morning hours of Sunday, 28 February.
The legislation includes a USD 25 billion (EUR 21 billion) restaurant grant program, as well as USD 3.6 billion (EUR 3 billion) to support the food supply chain, including food purchases and loans to small- and mid-sized processors, with a specific mention of seafood processing facilities. The bill also calls for the creation of a USD 15 billion (EUR 13 billion) grant program for small business owners, separate from the existing Paycheck Protection Program.