The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to purchase up to US$263 million in dairy and agricultural products from American farmers and producers.

These products will be distributed to food banks and nutrition assistance programmes across the United States.

According to US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, these purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.

With this action, the Trump administration said it is “is bolstering American prosperity by supporting American agriculture, rural communities, and those in need of nutrition assistance”.

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.

“By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilising farm income and protecting rural jobs - we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America.”

“These investments strengthen the food supply, sustain rural communities, and reinforce agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience.”

Purchases

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will purchase up to $263 million of the following commodities:

Butter: $75 million;
Cheddar cheese and cheese products: $32.5 million;
Swiss cheese: $10 million;
Fresh liquid 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;
Walnuts: $15 million.

AMS continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products.

These 'USDA Foods' are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programmes, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a component of the nation’s food safety net.

School milk

Separately, the USDA recently moved to restore access to whole milk in American schools.

The USDA said that the move has bipartisan support, meaning members of both the Republican Party and Democratic Party support the move; and that it will "strengthen support for American dairy producers".