U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) has announced up to $177.4 million in purchases for nutrition assistance programs using a new streamlined process. The American-grown products that will be purchased will be provided to families in need through USDA’s nutrition assistance programs.
Under the new streamlined process, USDA will proactively monitor market conditions and provide a more predictable and consistent process for determining when to make such purchases.
According to Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach, “USDA is taking a more proactive approach in order to better serve our customers, ensure timely purchases for federal nutrition programs, and deliver value for the American taxpayer through safe and affordable American made products.”
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of high-quality food each year to support the National School Lunch Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.