USDA announced it bought about 62,130,000 pounds of broiler chicken parts at an approximate cost of $35,902,400 for domestic food nutrition assistance programs. Awards were made to six of the 10 companies that submitted proposals, including Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue Farms, Peco Foods, OK Foods and Case Farms.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced in August it would purchase $40 million worth of poultry, in part, to support the poultry industry. “This purchase will provide welcome assistance to thousands of families in these challenging economic times,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “It will also provide support to the broiler industry and the many small independent poultry growers that depend on the industry for their livelihood. Broiler producers have already cut production substantially, and this purchase will help them bring supply in line with demand.”
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases food products each year to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters. The balance of the money will be used to pay for transportation costs.
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Source: meatingplace
