U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase up to USD 30 million worth of fresh fruit from American farmers. This fruit will be given to food banks and nutrition programs across the country. The purchase is being made using USDA's authority under a law called Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935. This initiative helps support U.S. farmers, rural communities, and people in need of food assistance.
The USDA regularly buys U.S.-grown food products through this program, which are then distributed to food assistance programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These food donations play a key role in the nation’s food safety system.
The USD 30 million purchase will include:
- USD 15 million worth of fresh oranges
- USD 10 million worth of grapefruit
- USD 5 million worth of mandarins.
Executive Statement
According to Secretary Brooke Rollins, president Trump is standing with America’s farmers, especially right now while the farm economy recovers from years of neglect under the last administration. Certain commodities are experiencing a surplus and USDA is ensuring these crops do not go to waste and instead go to Americans in need across the country. These fresh fruits will reach those in need, boosting healthier options for Americans at food banks across the country, all while benefitting American farmers facing unfair actions from foreign competitors.