US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will be purchasing up to $263 million in dairy and ag products to distribute to nutrition assistance programs and food banks nationwide through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935. According to the department, the purchase is expected to assist both producers and communities in need.
Secretary Rollins said, “From milk and dairy to fruits, legumes, and tree nuts, these staples are essential for feeding families and sustaining America’s agricultural economy. Through these Section 32 purchases, USDA is delivering wholesome, real food to Americans while injecting critical dollars into local economies. 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. Under President Trump’s leadership, these investments strengthen the food supply, sustain rural communities, and reinforce agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience.”
The purchases would include: Butter: $75 million, Cheddar Cheese and Cheese Products: $32.5 million, Swiss Cheese: $10 million, Fresh Fluid Milk: $20.5 million, Ultra-High Temperature Milk: $10 million, Chickpeas: $12 million, Dried Beans (Black and Pinto): $25 million, Fresh Pears: $15 million, Lentils: $14 million, Pecans: $10 million, Split Peas: $24 million, and Walnuts: $15 million.
Dale Sandlin with Southeast AgNet reporting.