U.S. Dairy Consumption Beats Expectations in 2020 and Continues to Surge Upward Despite Disruption Caused by Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their annual per-capita dairy consumption data today and the story, despite major shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, remains America’s growing love for dairy products of all shapes and sizes. The information from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) adds 2020 data to an accounting of per capita dairy consumption dating back to 1975 when the average American consumed just 539 pounds of dairy foods per year.

IDFA Pleased to See USDA Funding to Purchase Healthy, Nutritious Dairy Foods for School Meals Programs and Solve Supply Chain Disruptions Hampering Food Distribution

Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of investments of $1.5 billion for purchasing healthy foods for school meals programs and $500 million for responding to supply chain disruptions.

Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program

September 27, 2021 USDA AMS

The SPRS grant program will provide approximately $50 million in assistance to seafood processing facilities and processing vessels through block grants to State agencies. USDA allocated funding to certain U.S. states and territories based on a formula that considers economic activity as demonstrated through commercial fisheries landings, as detailed in the RFA. This program is funded by the Pandemic Assistance provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. 

USDA Announces Appointments to the American Lamb Board

September 27, 2021 USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of four members to each serve three-year terms on the American Lamb Board. The terms begin January 2022 and end January 2025.

USDA Invests $700M to Provide Relief to Small Producers, Processors, Distributors, Farmers Markets and Seafood Processing Vessels and Processors Impacted by COVID-19

September 14, 2021 USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it will soon publish Requests for Applications (RFAs) for new grant programs – the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant program – to support agricultural stakeholders who haven’t yet received substantial federal financial assistance in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.