The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is conducting the Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP), one of three USDA trade mitigation programs aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Under FPDP, USDA buys food products produced on American farms by American farmers through approved vendors who have proven they can supply U.S.-produced products. Amounts to be purchased are based on an economic analysis of the damage caused by tariffs illegally imposed on these crops by some U.S. trade partners.
Most of the food purchased is provided to states for distribution to the network of food banks and food pantries that participate in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
In 2018 and 2019, USDA plans to purchase about $1.2 billion of pork, apples, dairy, potatoes and other products in the first round of trade mitigation. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on May 23 that USDA is initiating a second round of trade mitigation measures. Specifically, the President authorized USDA to purchase up to $1.4 billion of U.S.-produced food products under FPDP as part of a $16 billion relief package.
Farmers and vendors can learn more on the AMS webpage, Selling Food to USDA.
For details on purchases as they happen, visit the solicitations page.