The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Pistachios for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, with the purpose to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce.

Through the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), USDA will award funds to states for food assistance purchases of domestic local foods for distribution to schools and child care institutions. This program will strengthen the food system for schools and childcare institutions by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors.

Background for Dairy Exporters