WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) yesterday announced it will purchase up to $50 million in domestically produced rice for distribution to a variety of domestic food assistance programs, including charitable institutions. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has approved the purchase of rice to assist the U.S. rice industry through USDA’s authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act.
Using CCC funds, USDA will purchase nutritious rice products for distribution to food-insecure Americans through food banks and other domestic food assistance programs.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) expects to issue a solicitation notice and begin awarding contracts in October with deliveries to food banks beginning in November. Solicitations will be available electronically through the
Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system and on the Agricultural Marketing Service's website at
www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.
To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements and be domestic operations.
“This purchase is certainly welcome news to the industry and USA Rice members look forward to continue playing an important role in supporting food insecure families here at home and abroad through domestic and international food aid programs,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.