First Daughter and White House Senior Adviser Ivanka Trump took charge of the White House’s $3 billion Farmers to Families program. This week, Ivanka volunteered to distribute food boxes to the families that were affected financially when the pandemic began.
The Hill reports Ivanka Trump personally distributed food boxes filled with fruit, vegetables, milk, and meat under the Farmers to Families Program in the community center in Washington DC. Televangelist Paula White, who is also part of the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative and around 12 other volunteers were present, all of whom were wearing face masks as they handed out food boxes to the families in need through their vehicles for 45 minutes.
According to a White House official, this program was in partnership with groups Operation Blessing, Blessings of Hope, City Serve, as well as the City of Destiny. The US Department of Agriculture initially held the program from May 15 to June 30, but it was later extended from July 1 to August 30.
“Millions of families across this country are benefitting from the Farmers to Families Food Box program, with nearly 40 million boxes of fresh, locally sourced produce, meat, and dairy delivered so far. I am excited to witness first-hand the good work of faith-based and non-profit organizations in the District to help propel our shared mission of feeding those most in need,” said Ivanka in a statement.
The USDA was under scrutiny as some industry experts raised concerns on the credibility of the businesses who were awarded contracts to supply the produce, meat, and dairy included in the food boxes.
Previously, Ivanka was under fire for an ethics violation after sharing a photo on social media, seemingly promoting Goya Foods following its CEO announcing support for her father, Donald Trump. Donald Trump was also under fire for doing the same thing. Executive branch government employees or government employees that hold public office are usually not allowed to use their position to promote or endorse products.
Former director of the White House Office of Government Ethics Walter Shaub explained in a thread on Twitter why Ivanka’s post violated government ethics standards. Shaub said that Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump’s posts about Goya Foods is creating the impression that the government’s endorsement is to be capitalized on. “Endorse the president and the administration will endorse your product,” said Shaub.