USDA to Purchase U.S.-Grown Dairy, Pulses, Fruits and Tree Nuts to Bolster Nutrition Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is purchasing a range of domestically produced dairy, pulses, fresh fruit and tree nut products for distribution through federal food and nutrition assistance programs.

The purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of Aug. 24, 1935, which allows USDA to use funds from customs receipts to support U.S. agriculture and strengthen nutrition programs. 

The initiative is expected to provide an additional outlet for American producers while supplying food banks and other assistance efforts with nutrient-dense products.

According to USDA, solicitations for the purchases will be issued in the near future and will be available exclusively through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system. Hard copies of solicitations will not be distributed. Public procurement information can be accessed through the WBSCM Public Procurement page, and all updates—including amendments and award notices—will also be posted on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s website.

The anticipated contract type is firm-fixed-price, with deliveries scheduled to various locations across the United States on a Freight on Board (FOB) destination basis. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring WBSCM and AMS postings to ensure they have the most current information related to the acquisition.

USDA noted that commodities and products acquired under the contract must be entirely of U.S. origin. In accordance with Agricultural Acquisition Regulation 470.103(b), eligible products must be grown, processed and otherwise prepared for sale exclusively in the United States. 

Potential contractors must meet AMS vendor qualification requirements before submitting offers. Once approved, vendors will receive access to WBSCM, where all bids, modifications, withdrawals and price adjustments must be submitted. Submissions made outside of WBSCM will be considered non-responsive.

USDA is encouraging interested vendors to review the AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurement and product-specific commodity specifications available on the AMS Commodity Procurement website. New vendors can direct qualification inquiries to Diana Dau David and Chelsie Prange at NewVendor@usda.gov.

Category-specific inquiries may be directed to the appropriate branch chiefs: David Cottrell for pulses, Kelli Dawkins for fruit and tree nuts and Greta Samuel for dairy.

The purchases are expected to support both agricultural markets and federal nutrition assistance efforts, reinforcing USDA’s dual mandate of aiding producers and addressing food security needs nationwide.