USDA intends to purchase up to 2.9 million pounds of fresh-cut apples
USDA intends to purchase up to 2.9 million pounds of fresh-cut apples
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to purchase 2.9 million pounds of fresh-cut apple slices in two-ounce bags, which it will donate to child nutrition and other domestic nutrition assistance programs.
The purchase is a pilot program and will be made with currently available farm bill funds. Section 4404 of the 2008 farm bill provided an additional $193 million in fiscal year 2009 for the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts for use in domestic nutrition assistance programs. This pilot program will help test the feasibility and cost effectiveness of using single- serving "convenience" packs in domestic nutrition-assistance programs.
The purchase of the fresh-cut apple slices -- a new commodity for USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service -- marks the beginning of a new apple pilot program. In cooperation with industry, a new commodity specification was developed specifically for the fresh-cut apple slices.
AMS purchases a variety of high-quality food products each year for distribution by USDA's Food & Nutrition Service for the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, the summer foodservice program, the food distribution program on Native American reservations, the nutrition program for the elderly, the commodity supplemental food program and the emergency food assistance program. USDA also makes emergency purchases of commodities for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
With this announcement, AMS will immediately solicit bids for future contract awards from responsible bidders for the desired quantity.
Government food experts work to ensure that all the food they purchase is healthful and nutritious. Food items are normally required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified grade requirements and be USDA-inspected or graded to ensure quality. AMS purchases only products of 100 percent domestic origin.
The purchase is a pilot program and will be made with currently available farm bill funds. Section 4404 of the 2008 farm bill provided an additional $193 million in fiscal year 2009 for the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts for use in domestic nutrition assistance programs. This pilot program will help test the feasibility and cost effectiveness of using single- serving "convenience" packs in domestic nutrition-assistance programs.
The purchase of the fresh-cut apple slices -- a new commodity for USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service -- marks the beginning of a new apple pilot program. In cooperation with industry, a new commodity specification was developed specifically for the fresh-cut apple slices.
AMS purchases a variety of high-quality food products each year for distribution by USDA's Food & Nutrition Service for the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, the summer foodservice program, the food distribution program on Native American reservations, the nutrition program for the elderly, the commodity supplemental food program and the emergency food assistance program. USDA also makes emergency purchases of commodities for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
With this announcement, AMS will immediately solicit bids for future contract awards from responsible bidders for the desired quantity.
Government food experts work to ensure that all the food they purchase is healthful and nutritious. Food items are normally required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified grade requirements and be USDA-inspected or graded to ensure quality. AMS purchases only products of 100 percent domestic origin.
