National Milk Producers praises USDA food purchases

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National Milk Producers praises USDA food purchases

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced details Monday of $470 million dollars’ worth of Section 32 food purchases. 

Alan Bjerga with National Milk Producers Federation tells Brownfield the USDA food purchases help, but, “They’re not going to make them whole, so it will be very important, while we’re thankful for this commodity purchase which is very much in line with what USDA has been saying they will do, you know we have to keep working with the administration, working with Congress.”

Purdue says America’s farmers and ranchers have experienced a dislocated supply chain caused by the coronavirus, and USDA is in the unique position to purchase these foods and deliver them to hungry Americans who need it most.

The purchases through Section 32 of the Agricultural Act of 1935 include 120 million dollars’ worth of dairy products along with 50 million dollars each in potatoes and turkey products, 35 million dollars’ worth of strawberries, 30 million each in pork, catfish, chicken, and 25 million in orange juice.

USDA will also be paying 20 million each for Atlantic fish, Alaskan Pollack, and tart cherries.  Several other commodities are included in the program.

Section 32 dollars come from a program, where 30% of annual customs receipts are set aside for the purchase of surplus commodities. The purchase announced Monday by USDA does not include planned purchases using the coronavirus relief package, or CARES Act.

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