The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed to buying up to $230 million in fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables from U.S. farmers and producers.
These purchases will be distributed through food banks and nutrition assistance programs to help address food insecurity across the country.
The initiative, part of the USDA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s food safety net, is supported by Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935.
So far this fiscal year, the USDA has allocated more than $924 million in food purchases to benefit charitable feeding networks.
These purchases aim to support small-scale family farmers and producers, who are often hardest hit by market fluctuations.
By facilitating these transactions, the USDA not only ensures that food reaches those in need but also provides critical relief to agricultural communities.