“This purchase will help provide nutritious food for families in need,” Veneman said. “Because the supply of turkey is plentiful this year, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to purchase and share this product with domestic food distribution agencies.”

To date, in FY 2003, USDA has purchased almost $11 million in deli turkey breasts, representing more than 7 million pounds. In FY 2002, USDA spent more than $13.3 million for nearly 9 million pounds of turkey products.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service purchases a variety of high quality food products every year for distribution by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Nutrition Program for the Elderly, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency purchases of commodities for distribution to victims of natural disasters.

USDA - 4th August 2003