USDA Announces Marketing Support for Egg Industry - WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its intent to purchase fowl meat products for school lunch and other domestic food assistance programs.

The purchase will create a much-needed market for light spent fowl meat, which is produced from egg-type laying hens. Egg producers have been unable to dispose of egg laying hens in sufficient numbers because fowl processors cannot increase normal markets for fowl meat.

Part of the shell egg oversupply problem is an over abundance of layers. Therefore, this purchase will assist the egg industry by reducing flock size to a profitable level while providing a food commodity that is popular in USDA's child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs.

The amount of fowl meat purchased by USDA depends on the quantities offered, prices bid and recipient requirements.

Purchase details will be mailed to the industry following an announcement of the start of the purchase program. Interested suppliers should contact the Contracting Officer, USDA/AMS/Poultry Programs, Commodity Procurement Branch, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, STOP 0260, Washington, DC 20250-0260.

Source: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) - 15th April 2005