WHAT HAPPENED: USDA on October 29th announced plans to buy up to $472.5 million in U.S.-grown and U.S.-raised agricultural commodities under its Section 32 authority, including $20 million for chicken. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will make purchases of a variety of foods, including chicken, destined for food banks and other nutrition assistance programs.
WHAT ELSE IS INCLUDED: Chicken is one of 15 commodities in the package, along with dairy ($165.5 million), pork ($41 million), split peas ($37 million), almonds ($30 million), lentils ($29 million), and farm-raised catfish ($20 million), among others.
WHY IT MATTERS: The program lets the department buy commodities during periods of market imbalance. For chicken, the purchase moves high-quality, affordable protein to families who rely on the charitable food network and federal nutrition programs. At the same time, it supports growers and processors who produce it. These programs aid in providing food security to thousands of families across the country, and chicken continues to serve as a protein allowing USDA’s dollars to go even further.
WHAT’S NEXT: AMS will issue solicitations for the chicken purchase. Eligible vendors can then submit bids through the agency’s standard commodity procurement process. NCC will share more details as they become available.
