Nov 11, 2009

USDA To Buy $82.6 Million in Tart Cherry, Plum, Apple and Pork Products

USDA intends to purchase $82.6 million worth of pork, cherry, plum and apple products for federal food nutrition assistance programs, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today. He spoke at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters annual convention in Kansas City.
Purchase amounts are $50 million of pork, $12.2 million of tart cherries, $1.8 million of dried plums and $18.6 million of apples. The department will survey potential suppliers and invite bids.
“These purchases will assist pork, cherry, plum and apple producers, who are currently struggling due to depressed market conditions,”said Vilsack. “Today’s actions will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy and provide high quality food to Americans in need of USDA’s nutrition assistance programs.”
Each year, USDA purchases a variety of food products to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
Food items normally are required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified grade requirements and be USDA-certified to ensure they meet government standards of quality. USDA purchases only commodities produced in America.
Interested suppliers should contact the appropriate contracting officer for each commodity program, which can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/cp.