USDA Announces Cheese Purchase To Help Needy Families and Benefit Dairy Farmers

USDA Announces Cheese Purchase To Help Needy Families and Benefit Dairy Farmers

The nation's dairy farmers are in need of emergency assistance amid low milk prices. Members of Congress recently asked USDA to provide assistance as the U.S. all-milk price fell to $14.50 per hundredweight in May, the lowest level since 2009. AFBF market intelligence director John Newton provides additional details.

Newton: "Sixty-one members of Congress asked USDA to use its authority to do something to provide assistance to dairy farmers. Here at Farm Bureau we supported those members of Congress by writing a letter asking USDA to use its authority for some food purchasing programs. By purchasing cheeses that helps to reduce the inventory levels of cheese we have in this country and should help to boost the prices that the farmers ultimately receive for their milk."

 

The USDA has listened to the request and announced on Tuesday that it plans on purchasing approximately 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to assist food banks and pantries across the nation, while reducing a cheese surplus that is at its highest level in 30 years.

The purchase, valued at $20 million, will be provided to families in need across the country through USDA nutrition assistance programs, while assisting the stalled marketplace for dairy producers whose revenues have dropped 35 percent over the past two years.

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