Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will purchase up to $30 million in fresh fruit from American growers for distribution to food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The effort, carried out under USDA’s Section 32 authority, is intended to support producers experiencing surplus conditions while expanding access to healthier food options for low-income households.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said the move reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to strengthening farm communities and reinforcing the nation’s nutrition safety net. “President Trump is standing with America’s farmers, especially right now while the farm economy recovers from years of neglect under the last administration,” Rollins said. She added that the surplus fruit will be redirected “to Americans in need across the country,” benefiting both producers and food-assistance recipients.
Under the plan, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will purchase $15 million in fresh oranges, $10 million in grapefruit, and $5 million in mandarins. The agency routinely buys U.S.-grown commodities through Section 32 to supply Food and Nutrition Service programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Federal officials say the purchases will help stabilize markets for growers while ensuring food banks have increased supplies of fresh produce during a period of elevated demand.
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