The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will purchase, for the first time ever, $50 million in pasteurized fluid milk to benefit Americans in need who do not have regular access to milk. The milk will be distributed through food assistance programs and food banks, such as those under Feeding America – the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. The USDA is expected to purchase between 12-15 million gallons of fat free, low-fat (1 percent), reduced-fat (2 percent) and whole milk as part of this nationwide initiative. According to the department, today’s announcement is not part of the funding allocated to support farmers and producers negatively impacted by unfair trade practices.
“As many as 41 million Americans, including nearly 13 million children, face hunger daily and are at risk of missing out on essential nutrients when they don’t have access to milk,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) president and CEO. “Simply having more milk available for those in need can make a positive impact on public health.”
According to Feeding America, the monetary “meal gap,” or the resources to purchase enough food to meet the needs of those who face hunger, is $21 billion a year. And while consumers are generous with canned foods and dry goods, food banks only provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person, per year.
“Milk is one of the most requested nutrition staples at food banks, yet it is rarely available,” said Julia Kadison, chief executive officer at MilkPEP. “And as one out of two kids ages 9 and up are falling short on calcium, vitamin D and potassium – essential nutrients that milk provides – there is an even greater need to make sure milk is getting to children and families who need it most.”
HOW IT WORKS
Since 1935, the USDA has directly purchased farm goods (under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment) to encourage consumption of domestic agricultural products. Working with states to determine need, the department will work with states through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to provide the milk to programs and charities that assist struggling families. USDA’s official announcement can be found here.
As only USDA-approved vendors can participate, both IDFA and MilkPEP strongly encourage interested fluid milk processors to apply as soon as possible. More information on how to become an approved vendor can be found here:
If fluid milk processors are interested in becoming approved vendors, it is critical to apply now as the approval process can take several weeks. Potential new vendors can contact the USDA for questions at NewVendor@ams.usda.gov. Milk processors can contact IDFA and MilkPEP directly for more information.
MAKING AN IMPACT
“This purchase addresses one of our country’s significant challenges – hunger – and, at the same time, will have a positive impact on the dairy industry at a time of significant market uncertainty,” added Dykes. “The nation’s milk processors welcome the opportunity to provide nutritious milk, rich in calcium, vitamin D and potassium, which are nutrients most often missing in kids’ diets.”
Source: IDFA
