US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced in a news statement the USDA’s intention to purchase US$29.1m- worth of blueberries, pears, potatoes, peaches and mixed fruit products for federal food nutrition assistance programs.
“These purchases will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy, and provide high quality, nutritious food to schools and food banks while assisting blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed fruit producers,” said Mr Vilsack.
The USDA intends to purchase up to US$9m of fresh potatoes, US$8.2m of peach and mixed fruit products, US$7m of frozen blueberries, and US$4.9m of fresh pears and canned pears packed in light or extra light syrup.
The department will seek the lowest overall costs by surveying potential suppliers and publicly inviting bids to assure contracts are awarded to responsible bidders.
A number of economic factors have led to surpluses, so these purchases will help alleviate the stress caused by higher inventories and low prices that farmers are receiving for their commodities.
In addition, these funds will help support the rural economy by putting revenue into the hands of growers, which can stimulate economic activity at the local level.
These healthy food purchases will go 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, programs that frequently provide food to children in need.
Products purchased from the announcement will come from all sizes of farm operations across the country and will be delivered to a wide variety of Americans.
