USDA Plans $472.5 Million in Farm Purchases to Support Markets - MyChesCo

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $472.5 million to buy domestically produced food commodities for distribution through charitable food networks and federal nutrition assistance programs. The purchases, managed by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service under Section 32 authority, will cover 15 commodity categories, including dairy, pork, poultry, legumes, nuts, fruit, rice and seafood. Dairy receives the largest allocation at $165.5 million (about 35%), followed by pork at $41 million. Other planned amounts include split peas ($37 million), almonds ($30 million) and lentils ($29 million). USDA says it will support producers under market pressure while helping increase food supplies, with allocations set for subsequent procurement rather than completed spending.