Overview
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced plans to buy up to $263 million in U.S.-produced dairy and other foods under Section 32.
- Dairy purchases total $148 million, including $75 million for butter, $32.5 million for cheddar, $10 million for Swiss, $20.5 million for fresh milk, and $10 million for shelf-stable milk.
- Additional allocations include $25 million for dried beans, $24 million for split peas, $15 million for walnuts, $15 million for fresh pears, $14 million for lentils, $12 million for chickpeas, and $10 million for pecans.
- USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will seek offers from approved vendors and award contracts before distributing foods through Food and Nutrition Service programs and food banks, including TEFAP.
- The National Milk Producers Federation endorsed the plan and said the dairy amount matches a request it submitted to USDA in November.