WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase up to $30 million in fresh fruit from American growers to supply food banks and nutrition programs nationwide, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced.
The purchase, made under USDA’s Section 32 authority from the Agriculture Act of 1935, is intended to support farmers facing surplus supplies while directing more fresh produce to families relying on the nutrition safety net.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will buy $15 million in fresh oranges, $10 million in grapefruit, and $5 million in mandarins. The fruit will be distributed through the Food and Nutrition Service’s programs, including food banks that participate in The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
“President Trump is standing with America’s farmers, especially right now while the farm economy recovers from years of neglect under the last administration,” Rollins said, adding that the purchases will help ensure surplus crops “do not go to waste and instead go to Americans in need across the country.”
USDA officials said the move is designed to simultaneously strengthen rural economies, counter unfair actions from foreign competitors, and expand access to healthier options for low-income households.
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