USDA Plans $263M Food Purchase to Support Farmers
USDA plans up to $263 million in dairy and crop purchases under Section 32 to support farmers and supply food banks nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to purchase up to $263 million in dairy and other agricultural products from U.S. farmers and producers.
According to USDA, the purchases will be made under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935. The products will be distributed through federal nutrition assistance programs and food banks nationwide.
What Farmers Need to Know
- Total planned purchases: Up to $263 million
- Authority: Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935
- Purchasing agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- Distribution: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
These purchases are intended to support farm income while supplying food banks and nutrition programs.
Commodities Included
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will purchase domestically produced and processed products, including:
- Butter — $75 million
- Cheddar cheese and cheese products — $32.5 million
- Swiss cheese — $10 million
- Fresh fluid milk — $20.5 million
- Ultra-high temperature milk — $10 million
- Chickpeas — $12 million
- Dried beans (black and pinto) — $25 million
- Fresh pears — $15 million
- Lentils — $14 million
- Pecans — $10 million
- Split peas — $24 million
- Walnuts — $15 million
These products are categorized as “USDA Foods” and are supplied to nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
“From milk and dairy to fruits, legumes, and tree nuts, these staples are essential for feeding families and sustaining America’s agricultural economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Through these Section 32 purchases, USDA is delivering wholesome, real food to Americans while injecting critical dollars into local economies. By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilizing farm income and protecting rural jobs — we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America. Under President Trump’s leadership, these investments strengthen the food supply, sustain rural communities and reinforce agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience.”
USDA said the purchases will support domestic producers while strengthening the national food assistance network.
