USDA is buying products under the Food Purchase and Distribution Program, its arm of USDA’s three-pronged trade mitigation program, to help farmers impacted by unfair trade practices. Commodities being purchased include apples, blueberries, cranberry products, dried plums, grapes and pork. USDA began issuing solicitations for the purchases in early October and expect to purchase other products throughout 2019.

USDA will distribute these commodities through the Food and Nutrition Service’s safety net of nutrition assistance programs. The majority of the foods distributed will be provided to states for use in the network of food banks and food pantries that participate in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

The following table highlights some of the purchases that will occur throughout the fiscal year.

Product

Dollar Amount

Apples

Up to $93,395,000

Grapes

Up to $48,211,000

Oranges

Up to $55,590,000

Pork

Up to $558,815,000

For a complete list of purchase activity, visit the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Solicitations and Awards page. Subscribe to CPP’s email list to stay current on information about these and other upcoming bids.

Learn more about becoming an approved vendor:

Since 1935, USDA has directly purchased farm goods under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment to encourage consumption of domestic agricultural products. AMS and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) work closely to determine need and distribute products to state agencies that participate in USDA nutrition assistance programs, as well as exploring other outlets for the distribution of products, as needed.