United States-Government to buy farm produce.

UNITED STATES-GOVERNMENT BUYING FARM PRODUCE.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday announced USDA’s intention to purchase turkey, pork, lamb and walnut products for federal food nutrition assistance programs.

USDA intends to purchase $60 million of turkey, $25 million of pork, $2 million of lamb and $29.7 million of walnuts. USDA will survey potential suppliers to seek the lowest overall cost by publicly inviting bids.

"These purchases will assist the turkey, pork, lamb and walnut sectors, which are currently struggling due to depressed market conditions," said Vilsack. "Today’s announcement will help mitigate further downward prices, stabilize market conditions, stimulate the economy and provide high-quality, nutritious food to recipients of our nutrition programs."

The purchases will be used to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.

USDA said food items are normally required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified grade requirements and be USDA-certified to ensure quality. USDA only purchases products that are grown in the United States.