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USDA to Purchase More Seafood for Federal Food Assistance Programs, Including Catfish, Salmon, and Pollock
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to procure various seafood items, including catfish fillets, canned pink salmon, salmon fillets, Alaska pollock products, and more, for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and other federal food assistance initiatives.
These acquisitions, set to begin on July 1, 2024, and continue until June 30, 2025, will be facilitated through the agency’s Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system.
Craig Morris, CEO of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), hailed the USDA's decision as a positive step toward increasing seafood consumption among Americans, particularly school-age children. He referenced a 2022 General Accountability Office (GAO) report indicating that USDA-purchased seafood intake per student fell short of recommended levels, highlighting the importance of such initiatives.
In tandem with this commitment, the USDA has introduced new requirements for Alaska pollock suppliers submitting bids for distribution to federal food and nutrition assistance programs. These mandates include facility approval under the NOAA Seafood Inspection Program (SIP), comprehensive traceability measures, adherence to Grade A standards for frozen pollock fillet blocks, and eligibility criteria for subcontractors.
Moreover, the agency has stipulated allergen labeling standards in compliance with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act. These guidelines ensure clear identification of major food allergens present in seafood products, enhancing consumer safety and awareness.
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