By Jamie Martin
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase up to $67 million worth of domestically produced fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables.
These purchases, funded under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, will help support American producers while supplying nutritious foods to food banks and nutrition programs nationwide.
This effort is part of USDA’s ongoing commitment to strengthen food security and assist communities in need. So far in the current fiscal year, the agency has allocated more than $600 million for such purchases, all of which have supported the charitable feeding network.
“These purchases deliver healthy, nutritious, American commodities to individuals and families in need. At a time when President Trump and his cabinet are working to Making America Healthy Again, USDA is proud to play a role in supporting those in need by providing access to the safest and highest quality fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood in the world,” said Secretary Rollins.
The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) manages these purchases, which are provided to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and other assistance programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These USDA Foods play an essential role in the national food safety net.
AMS plans to purchase the following items as part of this funding:
- Atlantic Groundfish - $20 million
- Canned Pears - $14 million
- Dried Sweet Cherries - $3 million
- Great Northern Beans - $14 million
- Pacific Pink Shrimp - $16 million
A pre-solicitation will soon be issued by AMS. Purchases are based on market analysis, food bank requirements, and input from industry stakeholders. Businesses interested in participating can find information on the AMS website’s "Selling Food to USDA" page.
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Categories: National