USDA Has More Major Food Purchase Plans in the Works
May 5, 2020 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, in addition to purchases previously announced, which will enable USDA to purchase surplus food for distribution to communities nationwide amid the coronavirus emergency.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will purchase a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and seafood products. Purchases are determined by industry requests, market analysis, and food bank needs. See the chart below for the produce-related purchases, which account for $170 million.
|
Commodity |
Purchase Amount |
| Asparagus | $5,000,000 |
| Orange Juice | $25,000,000 |
| Pears | $5,000,000 |
| Potatoes | $50,000,000 |
| Prunes | $5,000,000 |
| Raisins | $15,000,000 |
| Strawberries | $35,000,000 |
| Sweet Potatoes | $10,000,000 |
| Tart Cherries | $20,000,000 |
AMS will begin issuing solicitations in June and intends to begin deliveries in July. Details on how vendors may participate are available on the Selling Food to USDA page on the AMS website. Solicitations will be posted to the AMS Open Purchases Request website once available. Industry requests for future purchases using Section 32 funds, including potential plans for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, will be assessed on an ongoing basis.
In addition to Section 32 purchases, USDA will use other available funds to purchase food in support of American agriculture and families on an ongoing basis and in response to recent disruptions in the food-supply chains.
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