USDA distributes $1.3 billion to support specialty crop producers within marketing assistance program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin issuing a second round of payments this week to specialty crop producers under the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced on April 29. The new disbursement will provide up to $1.3 billion in financial support, in addition to the nearly $900 million already distributed in the program’s first round.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers the payments, which are aimed at offsetting elevated marketing costs for specialty crop producers. The program was temporarily paused earlier in the year for a review of USDA program spending priorities. Secretary Rollins stated that the payments reflect the administration’s efforts to align funding with current agricultural and fiscal policies.

The MASC program was originally introduced in December 2024 and allocated $2 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation. The USDA increased total funding to $2.65 billion in January 2025 in response to producer demand and stakeholder input. Applications for the program closed on January 10.

MASC targets cost challenges specific to the marketing of perishable specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, floriculture, and nursery products. Covered expenses include specialized packaging, refrigerated transport and handling equipment, rapid delivery logistics, and elevated labor requirements.

Eligible crops under MASC include fresh and dried fruits, vegetables (including mushrooms, dry edible beans and peas, and vegetable seed), tree nuts, and other specialty crops intended for commercial sale.

The USDA has not yet indicated if additional funding rounds will be considered.