Industry applauds USDA citrus purchase 

For the first time, mandarins are getting the limelight for USDA food program purchases.

Under the authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935, the USDA has said it will purchase up to $20 million of fresh mandarins and tangerines for distribution to food banks, schools and other nonconventional markets. 

USDA also announced that it will purchase up to $20 million in oranges and $10 million in grapefruit as well.

“Section 32 is an important procurement program that supports America’s farmers and provides domestic products to communities and schools,” California Citrus Mutual President Casey Creamer said in a statement. “Twenty years ago, mandarins trailed all varieties of fresh citrus in per capita U.S. consumption. By 2025, however, it is anticipated that mandarins will overtake oranges as the most-consumed fresh citrus in the U.S."

Creamer said in the statement that USDA domestic nutrition programs should reflect this significant shift in citrus consumption by ensuring mandarins are made available to schools and food banks. 

“This Section 32 purchase is an excellent first step to introducing mandarins to other procurement and food distribution programs in the future,” he said in the statement. “California Citrus Mutual applauds the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service for their efforts to bring American-grown mandarins and other citrus products to all consumers.”  

The purpose of Section 32 is to encourage domestic consumption of U.S. food products by diverting them from conventional market channels, the release said.

Information about the purchase is available at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.