USDA Plans $472.5 Million in Food Purchases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to purchase up to $472.5 million in domestically produced agricultural commodities for distribution through charitable food networks and nutrition assistance programs.

Announced October 29, 2026, the purchases will include dairy products, rice, pork, poultry, nuts, fruit, legumes, and seafood. USDA said the purchases are intended to support U.S. agricultural producers and help address market conditions.

The purchases will be made through Section 32, a USDA authority used to support agricultural markets. The department said the program can help stabilize commodity markets during periods of imbalance and provide support to producers facing economic hardship or sudden disruptions.

"America's farmers, ranchers, and fishermen grow and harvest the safest, highest-quality food in the world, and President Trump is making sure their hard work is being rewarded," said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Today's $472.5 million investment moves American milk, cheese, lentils, almonds, rice, catfish, and more, straight from our farms to those in need, rather than being wasted. We are committed to putting farmers first in the Trump Administration and through actions like this we can Make America Healthy Again."

Commodity Purchases

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will purchase the following domestically produced and processed commodities:

• Chickpeas: $20 million
• Lentils: $29 million
• Split peas: $37 million
• Dried fruit mix: $10 million
• Raisins: $25 million
• Grapefruit: $10 million
• Oranges: $10 million
• Hazelnuts: $22 million
• Almonds: $30 million
• Pacific whiting: $12 million
• Farm-raised catfish: $20 million
• Pork: $41 million
• Chicken: $20 million
• Dairy: $165.5 million
• Rice: $21 million

Dairy represents the largest planned purchase category at $165.5 million, followed by pork at $41 million and split peas at $37 million.

Distribution Through Food Assistance Programs

AMS regularly purchases domestically produced and processed agricultural products, known as USDA Foods. These products are distributed through USDA nutrition assistance programs and contribute to the nation's nutrition safety net.

The department said the purchases will direct demand toward producers across multiple regions and commodity sectors, including pulse growers on the Northern Plains and in the Pacific Northwest, tree nut, raisin, and citrus growers, Southern catfish farmers, rice growers, pork and poultry producers, and the Pacific whiting fleet on the West Coast.

USDA also said the purchases support rural employment by creating demand for the processors, packers, haulers, and other workers involved in moving food from farms to consumers.

The announcement does not specify when the purchases will be completed or when the commodities will be distributed.