The Trump Administration is purchasing $263 million of domestically-produced food products, including $75 million of butter, to distribute to the nation’s food banks and nutrition assistance programs, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Thursday.
“From milk and dairy to fruits, legumes, and tree nuts, these staples are essential for feeding families and sustaining America’s agricultural economy,” USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins said in a statement. “Through these Section 32 purchases, USDA is delivering wholesome, real food to Americans while injecting critical dollars into local economies.”
While the USDA will purchase a wide range of dairy and agricultural products, more than a quarter of the $263 million will be used to purchase butter – its largest butter buy in five years and more than double the amount it’ll spend on the number two category, cheese:
- Butter: $75 million
- Cheddar Cheese and Cheese Products: $32.5 million
- Dried Beans (Black and Pinto): $25 million
- Fresh Fluid Milk: $20.5 million
- Fresh Pears: $15 million
- Lentils: $14 million
- Chickpeas: $12 million
- Swiss Cheese: $10 million
- Ultra-High Temperature Milk: $10 million
- Pecans: $10 million
- Split Peas: $24 million
- Walnuts: $15 million
The USDA distributes butter to the needy because it’s essential for the preparation of commonly-donated items like macaroni and cheese, rice mixes, and baking kits.
In addition to feeding the needy, the USDA purchases will also inject critical dollars into local economies by stabilizing U.S. dairy and agriculture markets, Sec. Rollins explained:
“By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilizing farm income and protecting rural jobs—we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America.”
International Dairy Foods Association President Michael Dykes reacted to Thursday’s news by stressing the nutritional importance of the items on the USDA’s shopping list:
“IDFA applauds USDA’s significant investment in nutritious U.S. dairy products for Americans who rely on food assistance and federal nutrition programs.
“Milk, cheese, butter and other dairy foods deliver essential nutrients that support health at every stage of life.” We thank USDA for supporting America’s dairy farmers and processors while ensuring wholesome, nutrient-dense foods reach communities in need.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, these investments strengthen the food supply, sustain rural communities, and reinforce agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience,” Sec. Rollins said.
“Dairy farmers have shared in the struggles faced throughout the agricultural economy, and these purchases will provide important relief to producers who will benefit from the additional demand, helping them provide nutritious dairy products to Americans and the world,” National Milk Producers Federation President & CEO Gregg Doud said.
The USDA purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will be provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
