USDA buys dairy for food banks in US

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $263 million (€223.5m) in dairy and agricultural products from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programmes across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.

“From milk and dairy to fruits, legumes, and tree nuts, these staples are essential for feeding families and sustaining America’s agricultural economy,” said Rollins. “Through these Section 32 purchases, USDA is delivering wholesome, real food to Americans while injecting critical dollars into local economies. By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilising farm income and protecting rural jobs, we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America.”

AMS continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programmes, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAPt.

USDA AMS will purchase up to $263 million of the following commodities: $75 million worth of butter, $32.5 million of cheddar cheese and cheese products, $10 million for Swiss cheese: $20.5 million of fresh fluid milk, with another $10 million for UHT milk. Beans, pears, peas, lentils and walnuts make up the rest.