The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to purchase up to $472.5 million in American-grown and -raised agricultural products for charitable food networks and other nutrition assistance programs.
The Agricultural Marketing Service purchases will include $165.5 million in dairy products, $41 million in pork, $37 million in split peas, $30 million in almonds and $29 million in lentils. The list also includes chicken, rice, chickpeas, dried fruit, raisins, citrus, hazelnuts, Pacific whiting and farm-raised catfish.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the purchases will help deliver food to people in need while supporting farmers and other workers across the food supply chain. USDA said Section 32 purchases can also help stabilize commodity markets when producers face economic hardship or market disruptions.
