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Release No. 0005.08
Contact: Jimmie Turner 202-720-6179
Billy Cox 202-720-8998
Printable version
Conner Announces Purchase of Up to
8.1 Million Pounds
of Red Tart Cherry Products
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2008 -- Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner today
announced USDA's plan to purchase up to 8.1 million pounds of red tart cherry
products which will be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food
assistance programs.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of
high-quality food products each year for distribution by USDA's Food and
Nutrition Service (FNS) for the national school lunch program, the school
breakfast program, the summer food service program, the food distribution
program on Indian 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.
Because of USDA's intent to buy, FNS will survey potential recipients to
determine how much product will be accepted for shipping. AMS will seek the
lowest overall cost by publicly inviting bids to supply the desired quantity and
by awarding contracts to responsible bidders.
Government food experts work to ensure that all purchased food 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.
More information about USDA programs is available at
www.usda.gov .
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Last modified:
12/05/2008
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