USDA has announced the publication of a Request for Proposal for the Farmers to Families Food Box Purchase Program.

As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), distributors and wholesalers will contract with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program to provide pre-approved boxes of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need. The goal is to begin the delivery of these food boxes by May 15.

Under the new food box purchase program, USDA AMS will procure an estimated $100 million per month in fresh fruits and vegetables, $100 million per month in a variety of dairy products, and $100 million per month in meat products. Awarded distributors will be responsible for establishing their supply chain and managing their relationships with producers and non-profit organizations, as well as invoicing USDA and providing payment to producers.

The food boxes must comprise of 100% domestically grown and processed items, and any packaged items should be suitable for household use (e.g. smaller foodservice packs would be acceptable). 

Upcoming key dates include:

May 1: Proposals from distributors will be due

May 8: Contracts will be awarded to distributors

May 15: Distributors will begin delivery of food boxes

Click here for the Request for Proposal and other applicable attachments.

Click here to access the webinar hosted by the Commodity Procurement Program on April 21 with technical details about the food box purchases. 

Click here to subscribe to email updates, including notification of the solicitation release.

Additional questions can be emailed to [email protected].