The USDA on May 16 announced plans to purchase sweet potatoes for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.
No dollar amount for the purchase was disclosed in the USDA notice.
USDA purchases of sweet potatoes 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,” according to the notice.
The USDA’s Market News Service reported the average fob price for sweet potatoes on May 14 was $26.03 per carton, down from $26.15 in early April but up from $24.60 per carton in 2022.
Questions about the planned purchase can be directed to the Contract Specialist, Claudius Price at claudius.l.price@usda.gov.
