WASHINGTON, June 4, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA's intention to purchase up to $6 million of fresh tomatoes for federal food nutrition assistance programs.
"USDA has been carefully monitoring the situation in Florida in order to determine how we can help growers get through the very difficult situation caused by the freeze earlier this year," said Vilsack. "The purchase announced today will provide Florida fresh tomato farmers with some relief, stimulate the economy, and provide high quality, nutritious food to people in need."
Each year, USDA purchases a variety of nutritious food products to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
Industry estimates suggest about two-thirds of the tomato crop in the major southwestern production region was destroyed because of eight days of sub-freezing temperatures in Florida during January. Growers in Florida replanted after the freeze which, in addition to scheduled plantings, has led to a surplus of tomatoes.
Source: USDA
