USDA to Purchase $472M in American Ag Commodities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intent to purchase up to $472.5 million in American-grown and American-raised ag commodities to distribute to the charitable food network and other nutrition assistance programs.

“America’s farmers, ranchers and fishermen grow and harvest the safest, highest-quality food in the world, and President Trump is making sure their hard work is being rewarded,” said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Today’s $472.5 million investment moves American milk, cheese, lentils, almonds, rice, catfish and more, straight from our farms to those in need, rather than being wasted. We are committed to putting farmers first in the Trump Administration and through actions like this we can Make America Healthy Again.”

Agricultural Marketing Service Section 32 Purchases

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration nutrition assistance programs and are a vital component of the nation’s nutrition safety net.

USDA AMS will purchase $472.5 million of the following commodities:

• Chickpeas ($20 million)
• Lentils ($29 million)
• Split peas ($37 million)
• Dried fruit mix ($10 million)
• Raisins ($25 million)
• Grapefruit ($10 million)
• Oranges ($10 million)
• Hazelnuts ($22 million)
• Almonds ($30 million)
• Pacific whiting ($12 million)
• Farm-raised catfish ($20 million)
• Pork ($41 million)
• Chicken ($20 million)
• Dairy ($165.5 million)
• Rice ($21 million)

— Story contributed by the USDA