USDA announces $263 million purchase of dairy and specialty crops to support farmers and strengthen the U.S. food supply chain.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will procure agricultural commodities worth up to $263 million from domestic producers, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced. The purchases will be carried out under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and the procured food items will be distributed nationwide through food banks and federal nutrition assistance programmes, according to an official release.
Rollins said the initiative will cover a wide range of essential food products, including milk and dairy items, fruits, legumes and tree nuts, which play a vital role in supporting both household nutrition and the broader agricultural economy. She noted that the Section 32 procurement programme allows the USDA to channel surplus agricultural production into food assistance systems, helping stabilise farm incomes while ensuring access to wholesome food for communities across the country. The funding, she added, will also provide a direct economic boost to rural regions by supporting farm operations and agricultural employment.
Of the total allocation, $148 million — more than half of the overall outlay — has been earmarked specifically for dairy products, with the remaining funds allocated for various specialty crops. Following the announcement, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) welcomed the move, stating that the purchases would help ease pressure from low milk prices and stimulate dairy consumption.
NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said the increased demand generated through the programme would provide meaningful relief to dairy farmers, enabling them to continue supplying nutritious products to domestic and global markets.