The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) welcomed the announcement made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase $263 million in agricultural commodities using its Section 32 authority, noting that the investment will help stabilize markets by channeling locally produced goods into federal food programs.

The investment creates direct market opportunities for producers in several key categories:

• Dairy: Butter, Cheddar & Swiss Cheese, Fresh Fluid Milk, and UHT Milk.
• Legumes: Chickpeas, Lentils, Split Peas, and Dried Beans (Black and Pinto).
• Specialty Crops: Fresh Pears, Pecans, and Walnuts.

Arizona producers interested in these federal procurement opportunities should monitor the AMS website for upcoming solicitations. To understand the technical requirements and bidding process, review this previous announcement as a reference.