Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA’s intention to purchase up to $11.4 million of canned clingstone peaches for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks.

“This purchase will assist the California canned peach industry by reducing stock levels by 21,000 tons,” said Vilsack. “The surplus has discouraged fiscal year 2011 commitments and put downward pressure on peach grower prices.”

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of high-quality food products each year to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.

Government food experts work to ensure that all purchased food is healthful and nutritious. Food items are required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified requirements and be certified to ensure quality. AMS purchases only products of 100 percent domestic origin.

For more information or purchase details, interested suppliers should contact, in writing: Contracting Officer, USDA/AMS Commodity Procurement Division, Stop 0256, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250; call (202) 720-4476; or go online to www.ams.usda.gov.