Johanns Announces Purchase Of Up To 2.8 Million Pounds Of Canned Crushed Pineapples

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 2005 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced USDA’s plan to purchase up to 2.8 million pounds of canned crushed pineapples to 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.

Since the beginning of the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, USDA has purchased more than 9.9 million pounds of canned pineapples. USDA purchased 28.9 million pounds of canned pineapples and 11.7 million pounds of pineapple juice in FY 2005 and a total of 60.2 million pounds of pineapple products in FY 2004.

With today’s announcement of USDA’s intention 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 the food they purchase 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.

Contact Information

Becky Unkenholz

U.S. Department of Agriculture

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