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According to the official press release, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will administer the Food Purchase and Distribution Program to purchase up to $1.2 billion in commodities unfairly targeted by unjustified retaliation. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will distribute these commodities through nutrition assistance programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and nutrition programs.
Key takeaways:
Food Purchase and Distribution Program:
- Administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- Commodities eligible for program:
- Apples, Apricots, Beef, Blueberries, Cranberries, Dairy, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes,
- Hazelnuts, Kidney Beans, Lemons/Limes, Lentils, Macadamia, Navy Beans
- Oranges (fresh), Orange Juice, Peanut Butter, Pears, Pecans, Pistachios,
- Plums/Prunes, Pork, Potatoes, Rice, Strawberries, Sweet Corn, Walnuts
- Yet to be determined commodities:
- Almonds
- Sweet Cherries
- See attached table for estimated purchase amount for each commodity
- $1.2B in total purchases
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will distribute food to the Emergency Food Assistance Program and child nutrition programs
- Purchases spread over several months, in four phases, with adjustments expected in each phase
- Must be an AMS vendor to be eligible
- AMS will conduct webinars to walk through becoming a vendor
- How to become a USDA foods vendor
- Youtube video on becoming a USDA vendor
- Vendor qualification checklist
- Purchase announcements here
Please feel free to contact Matthew Farrell, a K·Coe Isom Farm Program Services specialist, for questions surrounding this program: mfarrell@kcoe.com.
