USDA Approves Section 32 Funding for Dry Peas & Lentils

USDA Approves Section 32 Funding for Dry Peas & Lentils

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
The USDA announced this afternoon that they granted the USADPLC's request for Section 32 funding for dry peas and lentils. The USDA awarded the following funding for pulse crops under the Section 32 program:

-Dry Peas- $22 million

-Lentils- $10 million

-Pinto Beans- $11 million

USDA Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach, announced up to $177.4 million in purchases of U.S. commodities for families in need through the USDA's nutrition assistance programs. (see press release below)

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) uses the Section 32 program to purchase high-quality food each year to support the following USDA Nutrition programs:

-National School Lunch Program

-Commodity Supplemental Food Program

-Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

-Emergency Food Assistance Program.

-Emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.

-USDA will only purchase U.S.A. commodities under the terms of the Section 32 program.

Details on how vendors may participate are available on the Selling Food to USDA page on the AMS website. USDA reminds vendors that they need to complete a "Food Defense Audit" on their facilities before submitting a bid.

"I would like to thank the Trump Administration and the leadership team at USDA for approving the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council's (USADPLC) Section 32 request for dry peas and lentils," said Pat Smith, Chairman of the USADPLC. "The devastating Trade Tariffs that the Government of India (GOI) imposed on all imports of pulse crops in November and December 2017 caused a major market disruption in the dry pea and lentil industry. I appreciate the USDA's careful consideration of our request and for allowing our industry to use some of our excess stocks to feed those in need in our own country."

"I would also like to thank our Pulse Champions in Congress who wrote letters and called Agriculture Secretary Purdue personally to support our Section 32 request," stated Tim McGreevy, CEO of the USADPLC. "It takes a team to make things happen in Washington D.C. We are fortunate to have some great Congressional Champions on both sides of the aisle that support the pulse industry."

We can make a difference when we work together to accomplish big goals. We both would like to thank the board of directors from every state in our coalition who pushed for approval of this Section 32 policy goal.

Special thanks to the industry team that traveled to Washington D.C. in February 2018. The team did an outstanding job of presenting our case to USDA for Section 32 Funding.

The USDA/AMS will spread the purchases of these pulse crops over the next year. USDA/AMS is expected to announce invitations to bid on the approved Sect. 32 crops beginning in June 2018.

The USADPLC will keep you posted as further details become available.

This announcement will help work through some of our excess inventory. It will also provide our industry an opportunity to showcase how these delicious and affordable pulse crops can become part of a healthy and nutritious diet.

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