WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to purchase up to $472.5 million in domestically produced food commodities for distribution through charitable food networks and federal nutrition assistance programs, directing federal spending toward agricultural producers facing market pressures while increasing food supplies for households in need.
The purchases, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service under Section 32 authority, will cover 15 commodity categories, including dairy products, pork, poultry, legumes, nuts, fruit, rice and seafood.
Dairy accounts for the largest allocation at $165.5 million, representing approximately 35% of the total planned purchases. Pork follows at $41 million, while split peas, almonds and lentils are allocated $37 million, $30 million and $29 million, respectively.
The spending is intended to support agricultural markets by purchasing commodities when supply and demand conditions create financial pressure for producers. USDA distributes the resulting food through federal nutrition programs and charitable organizations.
“Today’s $472.5 million investment moves American milk, cheese, lentils, almonds, rice, catfish, and more, straight from our farms to those in need, rather than being wasted,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated.
The department identified the following planned allocations:
- Dairy: $165.5 million
- Pork: $41 million
- Split peas: $37 million
- Almonds: $30 million
- Lentils: $29 million
- Raisins: $25 million
- Hazelnuts: $22 million
- Rice: $21 million
- Chickpeas: $20 million
- Farm-raised catfish: $20 million
- Chicken: $20 million
- Pacific whiting: $12 million
- Dried fruit mix: $10 million
- Grapefruit: $10 million
- Oranges: $10 million
The allocations span agricultural sectors across the country, including pulse crops grown in the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest, tree nuts and citrus, Southern catfish production, livestock and poultry operations, and commercial fishing along the West Coast.
Section 32 purchases provide USDA with a mechanism to support commodity markets while supplying food assistance programs. The authority allows the department to purchase agricultural products when market conditions warrant intervention.
The purchases also generate demand for food processors, packaging operations and transportation providers involved in moving agricultural products into distribution channels.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service routinely acquires domestically produced and processed food products, known as USDA Foods, for use in federal nutrition assistance programs.
The planned $472.5 million purchase represents a funding commitment of up to that amount rather than a completed expenditure. The department’s action establishes the intended commodity allocations for subsequent procurement and distribution.
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