Coronavirus stress-tests the food supply network

COVID-19 has sent swaths of the U.S. food system into overdrive, as manufacturers, distributors, grocers and food safety regulators try to meet demand from consumers stockpiling food and other essentials. In addition, the USDA is rolling out more plans to help rural areas affected by the virus, including a private partnership to deliver meals to students. Farm credit officials asked ag lenders to work with borrowers whose operations are being squeezed by the virus and the economic slowdown.