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Release No. 0362.05

Contact: Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

JOHANNS ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF UP TO $10 MILLION OF PINK SALMON

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2005 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced USDA will purchase up to $10 million worth of pink salmon from the 2005 harvest season for distribution through federal food and nutrition programs.

"This pink salmon purchase will provide recipients of our federal food programs with quality, nutritious fish products," said Johanns. "USDA will use this salmon as patties, nuggets and other flavorful products and share it with schools and our domestic food assistance programs."

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service purchases a variety of high quality food products each year for distribution by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service for 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. In addition, USDA also makes emergency purchases of commodities for distribution to victims of natural disasters.

In fiscal year 2004, AMS purchased 1.5 billion pounds of food worth nearly $1 billion for federal food programs, including 216 million pounds of beef, pork, lamb and fish; 233 million pounds of eggs, chicken and other poultry products; and more than 1 billion pounds of fruits and vegetables.

With today's announcement of USDA's intention to buy, the Food and Nutrition Service will survey potential recipients to determine how much product will be accepted for shipping. The Agricultural Marketing Service will seek the lowest overall cost by publicly inviting bids to supply the desired quantity and by awarding contracts to responsible bidders. A formal Notice to the Trade will be issued in the near future.

Government food experts work to ensure that all the food purchased is healthful and nutritious. Food items are normally required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified grade requirements and be USDA-inspected or graded to ensure quality. USDA purchases only products of 100 percent domestic origin. Salmon products purchased under this program must be landed by U.S. flag vessels and completely processed in the United States.

More information about USDA programs is available at http://www.usda.gov.



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