The USDA Agriculture Marketing Service has announced plans to include purchasing $5 million worth of farmed hard clams (processed-cooked, frozen, and packaged) for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Purchases will be made with the purpose to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce. In an effort to alleviate some of the oversupply of farmed clams and to avoid downward price pressure, the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association petitioned AMS to purchase clams to be handed out at food banks. This is the first such purchase AMS has made for molluscan shellfish products, a high protein meal for families in need. Solicitations will be issued in the near future. Click to view the announcement.
